Ecosystem functioning in urban grasslands: The role of biodiversity, plant invasions and urbanization.

摘要: Urbanization is driving the transformation of natural and rural ecosystems worldwide by affecting both abiotic environment biota. This raises question whether urban are able to provide services in a comparable way their non-urban counterparts. In grasslands, effects urbanization-driven ecological novelty role plant diversity modulating ecosystem functioning have received little attention. this study, we assessed influence biodiversity, biotic on based situ measurements non-manipulated grasslands along an urbanization gradient Berlin (Germany). We focused aboveground biomass (AGB), intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) 15N enrichment factor (Δδ15N) as proxies for production, water N cycling, respectively, within grassland communities, tested how they change with biogeographic status (native vs alien), functional group species identity. Approximately one third forb were alien responsible 13.1% community AGB. Community AGB was positively correlated plant-species richness. contrast, iWUE Δδ15N mostly determined light availability (depicted sky view factor) parameters like percentage impervious surface or human population density. found that potentially favors aliens Berlin, mainly enhancing dispersal fitness under drought. Mainly indicating significantly native Δδ15N, but plants only, pointing stronger impact cycling compared C cycling. At level, appeared be prevailing driver photosynthetic performance resource-use efficiency. Although identified significant AGB, at different levels, relationship between richness studied described experimental Europe. Hence, our results indicate conserving biodiversity essential preserve related production. For ensuring provision associated use, however, changes seem necessary.