Plant diversity decreases greenhouse gas emissions by increasing soil and plant carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems

Pengfei Dang, Miaomiao Zhang, Xinli Chen, Michel Loreau, J. Emmett Duffy, Xin'e Li, Shuyue Wen, Xiaoqing Han, Lechen Liao, Tiantian Huang, Chenxi Wan, Xiaoliang Qin, Kadambot H.M. Siddique, Bernhard Schmid

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The decline in global plant diversity has raised concerns about its implications for carbon fixation and global greenhouse gas emissions (GGE), including carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4). Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of 2103 paired observations, examining GGE, soil organic carbon (SOC) and plant carbon in plant mixtures and monocultures. Our findings indicate that plant mixtures decrease soil N2O emissions by 21.4% compared to monocultures. No significant differences occurred between mixtures and monocultures for soil CO2 emissions, CH4 emissions or CH4 uptake. Plant mixtures exhibit higher SOC and plant carbon storage than monocultures. After 10 years of vegetation development, a 40% reduction in species richness decreases SOC content and plant carbon storage by 12.3% and 58.7% respectively. These findings offer insights into the intricate connections between plant diversity, soil and plant carbon storage and GGE—a critical but previously unexamined aspect of biodiversity–ecosystem functioning.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere14469
Number of pages12
JournalEcology Letters
Volume27
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2024

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