Precipitation and temperature regulate species diversity, plant coverage and aboveground biomass through opposing mechanisms in large-scale grasslands

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.999636
• Publication Date: 2022-12-01T06:48:50Z
• Authors: Zhenyu Yao; Yue Xin; Liu Yang; Liqing Zhao; Arshad Ali
• Keywords: Gamma diversity

Introduction Although the relationships between species diversity and aboveground biomass (AGB) are highly debated in grassland ecosystems, it is not well understood how climatic factors influence AGB directly indirectly via plant coverage large-scale grasslands along a topographic gradient. In doing so, we hypothesized that would regulate coverage, due to maintaining metabolic ecological processes, but relationship of with be stronger than covering physical niche space. Methods To test proposed hypothesis, collected data for calculations richness, evenness, across 123 sites (i.e., mean 3 plots each site) dominated by Leymus chinensis northern China. We used structural equation model linking direct indirect effects slope, annual precipitation temperature on evenness through multiple complex pathways. Results found increased AGB, declined better richness. Topographic slope influenced diversity, whereas increasing slope. Regarding opposing mechanisms, one hand, as compared richness evenness. On other effect was negligible. Discussion Our results show complementarity selection jointly regulating these processes dependent factors. Plant promoted coexistence depended greatly temperature. highlight two key drivers study suggests sensitive climate change, i.e., decline water availability an increase atmospheric heat. argue should considered management higher productivity context both which underpin animals human well-being.