Datasets

[ report an error in this record ]basket (1): add | show Print this page
one publication added to basket [120512]
Niche complementarity and facilitation drive positive diversity effects on biomass production in experimental benthic diatom biofilms
Vanelslander, B.; De Wever, A.; Van Oostende, N.; Kaewnuratchadasorn, P.; Hendrickx, F.; Sabbe, K.; Vyverman, W. (2008). Niche complementarity and facilitation drive positive diversity effects on biomass production in experimental benthic diatom biofilms, in: Mees, J. et al. (Ed.) VLIZ Young Scientists' Day, Brugge, Belgium, 29 February 2008: book of abstracts. VLIZ Special Publication, 40: pp. 71
In: Mees, J.; Seys, J. (Ed.) (2008). VLIZ Young Scientists' Day, Brugge, Belgium, 29 February 2008: book of abstracts. VLIZ Special Publication, 40. Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee (VLIZ): Oostende. ix, 96 pp.
In: VLIZ Special Publication. Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee (VLIZ): Oostende. ISSN 1377-0950
Available in  Authors 
Document type: Summary
Keyword
    Marine/Coastal
Authors  Top 
  • Vanelslander, B.
  • De Wever, A.
  • Van Oostende, N.
  • Kaewnuratchadasorn, P.
  • Hendrickx, F.
  • Sabbe, K., more
  • Vyverman, W., more
Abstract
    Up to now, relatively few diversity-production experiments have been performed using microorganisms. Benthic diatom communities from estuarine intertidal mudflats are especially interesting for this purpose as they are relatively species poor and are thus more easy to simulate in laboratory conditions. We studied the effect of diversity on biomass production during microcosm experiments with diatoms assembled in combinations of up to eight species. Our results demonstrate a highly positive effect of biodiversity on production, with transgressive overyielding occurring in more than half of the combinations. These strong positive diversity effects could largely be attributed to positive complementarity effects (covering both niche complementarity and facilitation), although negative selection effects effects at higher diversities. We found a significant positive relation between functional diversity and the net biodiversity effects, indicating niche complementarity. In addition, we provide one of the first mechanistic evidences for facilitation by which biodiversity can enhance ecosystem functioning. This was demonstrated by the improved growth of Cylindrotheca closterium after addition of spent medium obtained from other diatom species. The stimulated growth of C. closterium was explained by a shift to mixotrophic growth with a down-regulation of the photosynthetic apparatus.
All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors 

OMES is a project funded by the Flemish Government De Vlaamse Waterweg
Web contact: OMES
Hosted by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ)