Effects of biodiversity on ecosystem stability: distinguishing between number and composition of species

摘要: The idea that diversity begets the functioning and stability of ecosystems has been intensely examined in terrestrial habitats, yet these relationships remain poorly studied marine realm. Theoretical empirical work suggests enhances communities, but decreases populations. This is because compensatory dynamics, such when one species while other increases, stabilise community as long richness increases variety responses to environment. In an observational field study, temporal variability abundance was used a measure compared among five intertidal sites naturally different richness. Percent covers macrobenthic were estimated every 6 months for 2 years. Stability total cover negative curvilinear function addition, single populations (averaged over all species) fluctuated across gradient, without showing predicted pattern. We found no evidence increasing dynamics with richness, suggesting environmental changes unrelated diversity. Diversity-stability natural communities may be more complex than those by theory manipulative experiments.