Remotely detected chemical composition and the spectral, functional and phylogenetic diversity of plant communities in a manipulated prairie grassland experiment predict belowground processes

In experimentally manipulated grassland systems at Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, we find that spectral diversity of plants is strongly associated with functional and phylogenetic diversity. We hypothesize that plant diversity and chemical composition of leaves and canopies are tightly coupled to soil inputs that drive belowground processes. We use plant spectra (400-2500 nm) measured at the leaf and airborne level to determine spectral diversity and vegetation chemistry. We find strong associations between aboveground inputs and belowground enzyme activity and microbial biomass as well as linkages between above- and belowground diversity, providing a basis for remote detection for belowground processes.