Biodiversity affects many ecosystem functions and services, including carbon cycling and retention. While it is known that the efficiency of carbon capture and biomass production by ecological communities increases with species diversity, the role of vertebrate animals in the carbon cycle remains undocumented. Here, we use an extensive dataset collected in a high-diversity Amazonian system to parse out the relationship between animal and plant species richness, feeding interactions, tree biomass and carbon concentrations in soil. Mammal and tree species richness is positively related to tree biomass and carbon concentration in soil-and the relationship is mediated by organic remains produced by vertebrate feeding events. Our research advances knowledge of the links between biodiversity and carbon cycling and storage, supporting the view that whole community complexity-including vertebrate richness and trophic interactions-drives ecosystem function in tropical systems. Securing animal and plant diversity while protecting landscape integrity will contribute to soil nutrient content and carbon retention in the biosphere.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-017-0334-0DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

carbon
8
carbon cycle
8
carbon cycling
8
animal plant
8
species richness
8
tree biomass
8
biomass carbon
8
mammal diversity
4
diversity influences
4
influences carbon
4

Similar Publications

Divergent responses of plant multi-element coupling to nitrogen and phosphorus addition in a meadow steppe.

BMC Plant Biol

January 2025

Institute of Grassland Science, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China.

The intricate biogeochemical cycling of multiple elements plays a pivotal role in upholding a myriad of ecosystem functions. However, our understanding of elemental stoichiometry and coupling in response to global changes remains primarily limited to plant carbon: nitrogen: phosphorus (C: N: P). Here, we assessed the responses of 11 elements in plants from different functional groups to global changes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Nano-biochar considers a versatile and valuable sorbent to enhance plant productivity by improving soil environment and emerged as a novel solution for environmental remediation and sustainable agriculture in modern era. In this study, roles of foliar applied nanobiochar colloidal solution (NBS) on salt stressed tomato plants were investigated. For this purpose, NBS was applied (0%, 1% 3% and 5%) on two groups of plants (control 0 mM and salt stress 60 mM).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A label-free, flexible, and disposable aptasensor was designed for the rapid on-site detection of vancomycin (VAN) levels. The electrochemical sensor was based on lab-printed carbon electrodes (C-PE) enriched with cauliflower-shaped gold nanostructures (AuNSs), on which VAN-specific aptamers were immobilized as biorecognition elements and short-chain thiols as blocking agents. The AuNSs, characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), enhanced the electrochemical properties of the platform and the aptamer immobilization active sites.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Acoustical properties are essential for understanding the molecular interactions in fluids, as they influence the physicochemical behavior of liquids and determine their suitability for diverse applications. This study investigated the acoustical parameters of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and Ag/rGO nanocomposite nanofluids at varying concentrations. Ag NPs and Ag/rGO nanocomposites were synthesized via a Bos taurus indicus (BTI) metabolic waste-assisted method and characterized using advanced techniques, including XRD, TEM, Raman, DLS, zeta potential, and XPS.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Tropical peatlands are carbon-dense ecosystems that are significant sources of atmospheric methane (CH). Recent work has demonstrated the importance of trees as an emission pathway for CH from the peat to the atmosphere. However, there remain questions over the processes of CH production in these systems and how they relate to substrate supply.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!