Conclusions: Diversity and Ecosystem Function

• Plant production may decline as regional and local diversity declines

• Ecosystem resistance to environmental perturbations, such as drought, may be lessened as biodiversity is reduced

• Ecosystem processes such as soil nitrogen levels, water use, plant productivity, and pest and disease cycles may become more variable as diversity declines.

From: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: Maintaining Natural Life Support Processes. Naeem, S. et al. Issues in Ecology Report 2, Ecological Society of America

http://esa.sdsc.edu/issues.htm

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