IAI-Data-CRN_012_Austin_BIOD-MESOF: Relationship between above- and belowground diversity in an undisturbed temperate forest in southern Argentina (Patagonia)

Recent interest in the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning has resulted in a multitude of large-scale manipulative experiments examining the effect of aboveground diversity on net primary productivity but many fewer studies have examined the effects of diversity on other ecosystem processes or changes in belowground diversity. We conducted a study in an undisturbed temperate forest in southern Argentina (Patagonia) to examine the relationship between above- and belowground diversity.

We took advantage of a forest mosaic where three species of Nothofagus spp. occurred together, and established monospecific and mixed-species plots of 1 or 3 species. Litter and soil samples were collected in these plots and soil organisms including microbial biomass and mesofauna were evaluated in the respective aboveground diversity treatments. Significant differences in abundance and diversity of belowground organisms was related to aboveground diversity.