Global meta-analysis reveals agro-grassland productivity varies based on species diversity over time.
Ecological research suggests increased diversity may improve ecosystem services, as well as yield stability; however, such theories are sometimes disproven by agronomic research, particularly at higher diversity levels. We conducted a meta-analysis on 2,753 studies in 48 articles published over the...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:b0dba29908de4d4da86fbfe1b8be06c0 2023-05-15T18:28:38+02:00 Global meta-analysis reveals agro-grassland productivity varies based on species diversity over time. Amanda J Ashworth Heather D Toler Fred L Allen Robert M Augé 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0200274 https://doaj.org/article/b0dba29908de4d4da86fbfe1b8be06c0 EN eng Public Library of Science (PLoS) http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC6039048?pdf=render https://doaj.org/toc/1932-6203 1932-6203 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0200274 https://doaj.org/article/b0dba29908de4d4da86fbfe1b8be06c0 PLoS ONE, Vol 13, Iss 7, p e0200274 (2018) Medicine R Science Q article 2018 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0200274 2022-12-31T09:57:57Z Ecological research suggests increased diversity may improve ecosystem services, as well as yield stability; however, such theories are sometimes disproven by agronomic research, particularly at higher diversity levels. We conducted a meta-analysis on 2,753 studies in 48 articles published over the last 53 years to test: if biological N2 fixation (BNF) supplies adequate nitrogen (N) for plant growth relative to synthetic fertilizers; how crop physiological traits affect legume-grass symbiosis; and, how cultural practices affect BNF over a range of soils and climates overtime (in polycultures versus sole grasslands). Globally, net primary productivity (NPP; total aboveground production response of grass and legume in higher-diversity treatments) increased 44% via legume associations relative to sole grass controls (including both with and without N fertilizer). Several moderating variables affected NPP including: (i) plant photosynthetic pathway (mixtures of C3 grasses resulted in a 57% increase in NPP, whereas mixtures of C4 grasses resulted in a 31% increase; similarly cool-season legumes increased NPP 52% compared to a 27% increase for warm-season legumes relative to grasslands without diversity); (ii) legume life cycle [NPP response for perennial legume mixtures was 50% greater than sole grass controls, followed by a 28% increase for biennial, and a 0% increase for annual legumes)]; and, (iii) species richness (one leguminous species in a grassland agroecosystem resulted in 52% increase in NPP, whereas >2 legumes resulted in only 6% increases). Temporal and spatial effect sizes also influenced facilitation, considering facilitation was greatest (114% change) in Mediterranean climates followed by oceanic (84%), and tropical savanna (65%) environments; conversely, semiarid and subarctic systems had lowest Rhizobium-induced changes (5 and 0% change, respectively). Facilitation of grass production by legumes was also affected by soil texture. For example, a 122% NPP increase was observed in silt clay soils ... Article in Journal/Newspaper Subarctic Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles PLOS ONE 13 7 e0200274 |
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Medicine R Science Q Amanda J Ashworth Heather D Toler Fred L Allen Robert M Augé Global meta-analysis reveals agro-grassland productivity varies based on species diversity over time. |
topic_facet |
Medicine R Science Q |
description |
Ecological research suggests increased diversity may improve ecosystem services, as well as yield stability; however, such theories are sometimes disproven by agronomic research, particularly at higher diversity levels. We conducted a meta-analysis on 2,753 studies in 48 articles published over the last 53 years to test: if biological N2 fixation (BNF) supplies adequate nitrogen (N) for plant growth relative to synthetic fertilizers; how crop physiological traits affect legume-grass symbiosis; and, how cultural practices affect BNF over a range of soils and climates overtime (in polycultures versus sole grasslands). Globally, net primary productivity (NPP; total aboveground production response of grass and legume in higher-diversity treatments) increased 44% via legume associations relative to sole grass controls (including both with and without N fertilizer). Several moderating variables affected NPP including: (i) plant photosynthetic pathway (mixtures of C3 grasses resulted in a 57% increase in NPP, whereas mixtures of C4 grasses resulted in a 31% increase; similarly cool-season legumes increased NPP 52% compared to a 27% increase for warm-season legumes relative to grasslands without diversity); (ii) legume life cycle [NPP response for perennial legume mixtures was 50% greater than sole grass controls, followed by a 28% increase for biennial, and a 0% increase for annual legumes)]; and, (iii) species richness (one leguminous species in a grassland agroecosystem resulted in 52% increase in NPP, whereas >2 legumes resulted in only 6% increases). Temporal and spatial effect sizes also influenced facilitation, considering facilitation was greatest (114% change) in Mediterranean climates followed by oceanic (84%), and tropical savanna (65%) environments; conversely, semiarid and subarctic systems had lowest Rhizobium-induced changes (5 and 0% change, respectively). Facilitation of grass production by legumes was also affected by soil texture. For example, a 122% NPP increase was observed in silt clay soils ... |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Amanda J Ashworth Heather D Toler Fred L Allen Robert M Augé |
author_facet |
Amanda J Ashworth Heather D Toler Fred L Allen Robert M Augé |
author_sort |
Amanda J Ashworth |
title |
Global meta-analysis reveals agro-grassland productivity varies based on species diversity over time. |
title_short |
Global meta-analysis reveals agro-grassland productivity varies based on species diversity over time. |
title_full |
Global meta-analysis reveals agro-grassland productivity varies based on species diversity over time. |
title_fullStr |
Global meta-analysis reveals agro-grassland productivity varies based on species diversity over time. |
title_full_unstemmed |
Global meta-analysis reveals agro-grassland productivity varies based on species diversity over time. |
title_sort |
global meta-analysis reveals agro-grassland productivity varies based on species diversity over time. |
publisher |
Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
publishDate |
2018 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0200274 https://doaj.org/article/b0dba29908de4d4da86fbfe1b8be06c0 |
genre |
Subarctic |
genre_facet |
Subarctic |
op_source |
PLoS ONE, Vol 13, Iss 7, p e0200274 (2018) |
op_relation |
http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC6039048?pdf=render https://doaj.org/toc/1932-6203 1932-6203 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0200274 https://doaj.org/article/b0dba29908de4d4da86fbfe1b8be06c0 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0200274 |
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PLOS ONE |
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13 |
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