Abstract
The role of edaphic factors in driving the relationship between plant
community structure and ecosystem processes is a key issue of the
current debate on functional implications of biodiversity. In this
study, we draw a direct link between aboveground/belowground
relationships, vegetation structure, and aboveground management. We
used ground nesting ants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) as an
example for quantifying the role of biotic interactions in soil.
Although both groups are known to have a major impact on grasslands,
the interactive effect of these taxa on vegetation structure and its
sensitivity to grassland management is poorly understood. We show that
the ant Lasius flavus increases the root arbuscular mycorrhizal
colonization (AMC) of grasses by modifying biotic and abiotic soil
properties. As a possible consequence, the shoot length of grass
growing on ant mounds was shorter and shoot N and P concentrations were
higher than in grass growing off of the mounds. In addit
Users
Please
log in to take part in the discussion (add own reviews or comments).