Navigation Links
Diverse ecosystems are crucial climate change buffer
Date:1/12/2012

Preserving diverse plant life will be crucial to buffer the negative effects of climate change and desertification in in the world's drylands, according to a new landmark study.

The findings of the multi-author study, published today in the journal Science, are based on samples of ecosystems in every continent except Antarctica.

They confirm for the first time that the more diverse an ecosystem is, the more ecological functions it performs. It also has implications for carbon sequestration and soil health.

"This is the most extensive study of the links between function and diversity ever undertaken," says co-author Professor David Eldridge, of the UNSW School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

According to the study, dryland ecosystems cover about 40 per cent of the Earth's land surface, support 40 per cent of its people, and are particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and desertification

"Our findings suggest that plant species richness may be particularly important for maintaining ecosystem functions linked to carbon and nitrogen cycling, which sustain carbon sequestration and soil fertility," says Eldridge.

"And because land degradation is often accompanied by the loss of soil fertility, plant species richness may also promote ecosystem resistance to desertification."

It is generally accepted that the loss of biodiversity may impair how natural ecosystems function by reducing the quality of services they provide. These include provisioning services such as the availability of drinking water, food and energy; regulating services such as carbon sequestration and waste decomposition; and supporting services such as nutrient cycling and seed dispersal.

Ecosystems that provide multiple services such as carbon storage, productivity, and the build-up of nutrient supplies are described as multi-functional.

However, the links between biodiversity
'/>"/>

Contact: David Eldridge
d.eldridge@unsw.edu.au
61-029-385-2194
University of New South Wales
Source:Eurekalert  

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Rodents were diverse and abundant in prehistoric Africa when our human ancestors evolved
2. Consumers in European countries appreciate grain healthiness in diverse ways
3. Diverse wheat tapped for antifungal genes
4. Scientists identify Ecuadors Yasuni National Park as one of most biodiverse places on earth
5. Research synthesis shines light on several management options after fires in diverse ecosystems
6. New book plants seed for biodiverse food production
7. Diverse landscapes are better: Policymakers urged to think broadly about biofuel crops
8. Diverse landscapes are better: Policymakers urged to think broadly about biofuel crops
9. Conservationists call for increased focus on coastal ecosystems
10. How should society pay for services ecosystems provide?
11. US residents say Hawaiis coral reef ecosystems worth $33.57 billion per year
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
Diverse ecosystems are crucial climate change buffer
(Date:5/22/2013)... Calif., May 22, 2013 Early screening for prostate ... pregnancy testing is for women, thanks to UC Irvine ... American Chemical Society . , After more than a ... way to clearly identify clinically usable markers for prostate ... detected far sooner, with greater accuracy and at dramatically ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... YORK, May 22, 2013. Plastic additives known as ... about everywhere: They turn up in flooring, plastic ... to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionthe ... phthalates have come under increasing scrutiny. A growing ... (which can leech from packaging and mix with ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... device attached to a whale entangled in fishing gear, ... changed a whale,s diving and swimming behavior. The monitoring ... and migrate, depletes their energy as they drag gear ... slow death. , The scientists in this entanglement response ... two-year-old female North Atlantic right whale called Eg 3911. ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):UCI chemists devise inexpensive, accurate way to detect prostate cancer 2UCI chemists devise inexpensive, accurate way to detect prostate cancer 3Study links chemicals widely found in plastics and processed food to elevated blood pressure in children and teens 2Study reveals how fishing gear can cause slow death of whales 2Study reveals how fishing gear can cause slow death of whales 3
... went looking for fossil whales and dinosaurs in Saudi Arabia, ... primate fossil. But the skull he stumbled upon ... apes and monkeys may have looked like and when the ... at the University of Michigan and the Saudi Geological Survey ...
... Rice University scientists have found the "ultimate" solvent for ... brings the creation of a highly conductive quantum nanowire ... of bundling, making them less useful than when they,re ... Pasquali, a professor in chemical and biomolecular engineering and ...
... at the U.S. Department of Energy,s Savannah River ... and Mississippi State University to decrease mold growth ... Funded by the Department of Homeland ... (SERRI), Mississippi State University asked SRNL and Tuskegee ...
Cached Biology News:Fossil find puts a face on early primates 2Fossil find puts a face on early primates 3Fossil find puts a face on early primates 4Nanotubes pass acid test 2Nanotubes pass acid test 3SRNL works to decrease hazards from mold in water damaged homes 2
(Date:5/21/2013)... , May 21, 2013  On May ... FCN ), the global business advisory firm dedicated ... value (the "Company"), announced that it has combined ... were formerly included within the Corporate Finance/Restructuring segment ... segment to form a single integrated practice whose ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... of a new study led by George Washington ... that nucleation of ice in small droplets is ... behavior at the nanoscale. The formation of ice ... research question whose answer also has important implications ... The crystallization of ice from supercooled water is ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... Clinverse, Inc. , a global ... announced today it has formed a strategic alliance ... FLS eClinical commerce platform aggregates data collected through ... ™, Aggregate Spend Solutions’ recently-launched flagship product, is ... transfer of value at investigator meetings or any ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... Many have long discussed the link between ... physicians from Clinical Psychiatry.com readdressed the topic ... and suggested using hypnotherapy and other mental ... stress that cause acne. , Doctors in the article ... about, stress causes changes in the skin that have ...
Breaking Biology Technology:FTI Consulting Releases Realigned Segment Information Reflecting Newly Combined Health Solutions Practice 2Study led by GW professor provides better understanding of water's freezing behavior at nanoscale 2Clinverse, Inc. Announces Strategic Alliance with Aggregate Spend Solutions, LLC 2Clinverse, Inc. Announces Strategic Alliance with Aggregate Spend Solutions, LLC 3Adult Acne Treatment, Probiotic Action Explains How Hypnotherapy and Probiotics May Cure Various Skin Conditions 2
... Novel Proteasome Inhibitor in ... Myeloma, SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. and NORWALK, Conn., ... Proteolix, Inc. today,announced the enrollment of the first patient ... potent and selective proteasome,inhibitor, carfilzomib (PR-171), in patients with ...
... BioVex Inc, a biotechnology,company developing clinical stage treatments ... today that it has appointed Dr. Thaddeus,Pullano, 53, ... http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070815/NYW022 ) Previously, Dr. Pullano ... Acambis from 2003 to 2007. In this role, ...
... Science Addressing Increased Demand for Food, Feed, Fuel, ... DuPont (NYSE: DD ),Chairman and CEO Charles ... Officer Thomas M. Connelly, and Group Vice President ... updated investors on DuPont,businesses serving the agriculture and ...
Cached Biology Technology:The Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC) and Proteolix Initiate Phase 2 Clinical Trial Investigating Carfilzomib for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma 2The Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC) and Proteolix Initiate Phase 2 Clinical Trial Investigating Carfilzomib for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma 3The Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC) and Proteolix Initiate Phase 2 Clinical Trial Investigating Carfilzomib for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma 4BioVex Appoints Dr. Thaddeus Pullano as VP, Quality Assurance 2DuPont Leaders Brief Investors on Agriculture Businesses 2DuPont Leaders Brief Investors on Agriculture Businesses 3