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Functional Redundancy Instead of Species Redundancy Determines Community Stability in a Typical Steppe of Inner Mongolia.

Authors :
Kang, Saruul
Ma, Wenjing
Li, Frank Yonghong
Zhang, Qing
Niu, Jianming
Ding, Yong
Han, Fang
Sun, Xiaoli
Source :
PLoS ONE; 12/23/2015, Vol. 10 Issue 12, p1-11, 11p
Publication Year :
2015

Abstract

Background: The redundancy hypothesis predicts that the species redundancy in a plant community enhances community stability. However, numerous studies in recent years questioned the positive correlation between redundancy and stability. Methodology: We explored the relationship between the species redundancy, functional redundancy and community stability in typical steppe grassland in Northern China by sampling grassland vegetation along a gradient of resource availability caused by micro-topography. We aimed to test whether community redundancy enhanced community stability, and to quantify the relative importance of species redundancy and functional redundancy in maintaining community stability. Results: Our results showed that the spatial stability of plant community production increases with increased supply of soil resources, and the functional redundancy instead of species diversity or species redundancy is correlated with the community stability. Our results supported the redundancy hypothesis and have implications for sustainable grassland management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
19326203
Volume :
10
Issue :
12
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
PLoS ONE
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
111961376
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0145605