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Functionally dissimilar neighbors accelerate litter decomposition in two grass species
Author(s) -
Barbe Lou,
Jung Vincent,
Prinzing Andreas,
Bittebiere AnneKristel,
Butenschoen Olaf,
Mony Cendrine
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.14473
Subject(s) - decomposer , biology , litter , plant litter , ecosystem , interspecific competition , intraspecific competition , ecology , biodiversity , mesocosm , nutrient cycle , nutrient , monoculture
Summary Plant litter decomposition is a key regulator of nutrient recycling. In a given environment, decomposition of litter from a focal species depends on its litter quality and on the efficiency of local decomposers. Both may be strongly modified by functional traits of neighboring species, but the consequences for decomposition of litter from the focal species remain unknown. We tested whether decomposition of a focal plant's litter is influenced by the functional‐trait dissimilarity to the neighboring plants. We cultivated two grass species ( Brachypodium pinnatum and Elytrigia repens ) in experimental mesocosms with functionally similar and dissimilar neighborhoods, and reciprocally transplanted litter. For both species, litter quality increased in functionally dissimilar neighborhoods, partly as a result of changes in functional traits involved in plant–plant interactions. Furthermore, functional dissimilarity increased overall decomposer efficiency in one species, probably via complementarity effects. Our results suggest a novel mechanism of biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning in grasslands: interspecific functional diversity within plant communities can enhance intraspecific contributions to litter decomposition. Thus, plant species might better perform in diverse communities by benefiting from higher remineralization rates of their own litter.