The influence of phylogenetic diversity on ecosystem functioning in tallgrass prairie

Understanding how diverse biological communities contribute to ecosystem functioning has become essential to ensure the retention of valuable ecosystem services, especially in the face of global change. Using experimental tallgrass prairie communities grown with and without live soil microbes, we compare how different measures of diversity, including phylogenetic and functional trait diversity are related to the maintenance of ecosystem functioning under drought and non-drought conditions. Results varied depending on the diversity metrics as well as the ecosystem function measured. We will discuss the need to better link above- and belowground interactions in order to understand how diversity maintains healthy ecosystems.