A multitrophic perspective on biodiversity–ecosystem functioning research

Nico Eisenhauer, Holger Schielzeth, Andrew D. Barnes, Kathryn E. Barry, Aletta Bonn, Ulrich Brose, Helge Bruelheide, Nina Buchmann, François Buscot, Anne Ebeling, Olga Ferlian, Grégoire T. Freschet, Darren P. Giling, Stephan Hättenschwiler, Helmut Hillebrand, Jes Hines, Forest Isbell, Eva Koller-France, Birgitta König-Ries, Hans de KroonSebastian T. Meyer, Alexandru Milcu, Jörg Müller, Charles A. Nock, Jana S. Petermann, Christiane Roscher, Christoph Scherber, Michael Scherer-Lorenzen, Bernhard Schmid, Stefan A. Schnitzer, Andreas Schuldt, Teja Tscharntke, Manfred Türke, Nicole M. van Dam, Fons van der Plas, Anja Vogel, Cameron Wagg, David A. Wardle, Alexandra Weigelt, Wolfgang W. Weisser, Christian Wirth, Malte Jochum

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

119 Scopus citations

Abstract

Concern about the functional consequences of unprecedented loss in biodiversity has prompted biodiversity–ecosystem functioning (BEF) research to become one of the most active fields of ecological research in the past 25 years. Hundreds of experiments have manipulated biodiversity as an independent variable and found compelling support that the functioning of ecosystems increases with the diversity of their ecological communities. This research has also identified some of the mechanisms underlying BEF relationships, some context-dependencies of the strength of relationships, as well as implications for various ecosystem services that humankind depends upon. In this chapter, we argue that a multitrophic perspective of biotic interactions in random and non-random biodiversity change scenarios is key to advance future BEF research and to address some of its most important remaining challenges. We discuss that the study and the quantification of multitrophic interactions in space and time facilitates scaling up from small-scale biodiversity manipulations and ecosystem function assessments to management-relevant spatial scales across ecosystem boundaries. We specifically consider multitrophic conceptual frameworks to understand and predict the context-dependency of BEF relationships. Moreover, we highlight the importance of the eco-evolutionary underpinnings of multitrophic BEF relationships. We outline that FAIR data (meeting the standards of findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability) and reproducible processing will be key to advance this field of research by making it more integrative. Finally, we show how these BEF insights may be implemented for ecosystem management, society, and policy. Given that human well-being critically depends on the multiple services provided by diverse, multitrophic communities, integrating the approaches of evolutionary ecology, community ecology, and ecosystem ecology in future BEF research will be key to refine conservation targets and develop sustainable management strategies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationMechanisms underlying the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function
EditorsNico Eisenhauer, David A. Bohan, Alex J. Dumbrell
PublisherAcademic Press Inc.
Pages1-54
Number of pages54
ISBN (Print)9780081029121
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019

Publication series

NameAdvances in Ecological Research
Volume61
ISSN (Print)0065-2504

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

  • Biodiversity change
  • Eco-evolution
  • Ecosystem functions
  • Food web
  • Landscape
  • Management
  • Multifunctionality
  • Real-world biodiversity change
  • Spatial scaling

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A multitrophic perspective on biodiversity–ecosystem functioning research'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this