Large-Scale Biodiversity Experiments

Biodiversity experiments are designed to identify how ecosystem functioning is affected by changes in diversity that can occur due to the decline, extinction, or invasion of species. Biodiversity experiments are a complement to theoretical and observational studies. There are two main ways to manipulate biodiversity: through the removal of species or by the assembly of experimental ecosystems of varying diversities. The latter allows comprehensive exploration of many possible combinations of species, some of which may be realized in the future. After three decades, more than 370 biodiversity experiments have been conducted. Results have been surprisingly consistent and indicate that biodiversity loss is causing substantial losses of ecosystem functioning, stability, and services.