Rare Species-Driven Diversity–Ecosystem Multifunctionality Relationships are Promoted by Stochastic Community Assembly
Zhengqing Zhang, Yahai Lu, Gehong Wei, Shuo Jiao
Abstract
The relative functional importance of rare and abundant species in driving relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functions remains unknown. Here, we highlighted the importance of rare species for ecosystem multifunctionality. In addition, community assembly processes were closely related to the ecosystem functional performance of soil biodiversity in rare subcommunity. Stochastic assembly processes promoted the positive effects of diversity of rare taxa on multifunctionality, while reducing their diversity and multifunctionality overall. This study expands current understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functions and suggests that stochastic community assembly enhances BEF relationships.