The allometry of plant height explains species loss under nitrogen addition

• DOI: 10.1111/ele.13673
• Publication Date: 2021-01-15T03:32:02Z
• Authors: Yao Xiao; Xiang Liu; Li Zhang; Zhiping Song; Shurong Zhou
• Keywords: Allometry; Exponent

Abstract Light asymmetry, with a higher light acquisition per unit biomass for larger plants, has been proposed as major mechanism of species loss after nitrogen addition. However, solid evidence this scarce. We measured the allometric size‐height relationships 25 plant along addition gradient manipulated annually eight years in speciose alpine meadow and found that positive relationship between relative abundance height scaling exponent natural conditions disappeared Those lower exponents increased addition, thereby decreasing community weighted mean dispersion ultimately richness. Our results provided some unique asymmetry induced new insight from perspective to explain biodiversity maintenance face global changes.