Data for Functional and phylogenetic relationships link predators to plant diversity via trophic and non-trophic pathways

Based on a comprehensive dataset of spiders recorded from the BEF sites, we tested the direct (potentially non-trophic) and indirect (via trophic cascades) links between tree diversity and arthropod predator diversity by deconstructing the relationships among multiple components (taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional) of their diversities. Our study highlights the importance of an integrated approach based on multiple biodiversity components in understanding the consequences of biodiversity loss in multitrophic communities.

Plot means Study plot identifier; site means Study site identifier; abun.ob means Observed abundance of spiders; rich.ob means Observed number of spider OTUs; pd.obs means phylogenetic diversity of spiders; mpd.obs means mean phylogenetic diversity of spiders; mntd.obs means mean nearest taxon distance of spiders; pdtr2 means phylogenetic diversity of trees; mpdtr2 means mean phylogenetic diversity of trees; mntdtr2 means mean nearest taxon distance of trees; func_div_rao2 means Functional diversity of tree species; vs means Vertical structural diversity of trees; treerichness means Tree species richness; elevation means Elevation of plot; eastness means aspect of plot; northness means aspect of plot; slope means slope of plot; cwm_treevol means Community-weighted mean of tree wood volume; FRic means Functional richness of spiders; FEve means Functional evenness of spiders; FDiv means Functional divergence of spiders; RaoQ means Rao's quadratic entropy (Q) of spider functional traits; abun_catp means Observed abundance of caterpillars; rich_catp means Observed number of caterpillar OTUs; pd_catp means phylogenetic diversity of caterpillars; mpd_catp means mean phylogenetic diversity of caterpillars; mntd_catp means mean nearest taxon distance of caterpillars.