Increased diversity by cushion plants enhances alpine community productivity and stability

The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is
well-documented in multiple ecosystems such as grasslands and forests, yet
in harsh alpine environments where the formation and maintenance of
diversity face significant challenges, it remains largely underexplored.
This study examines the role of multiple alpine cushion plant species in
promoting plant diversity and enhancing ecosystem functioning through
assessments of community biomass production and spatial stability.
Cushion-constructed micro-communities (CCMC) exhibit a substantial
increase in plant species richness, ranging from 83% to 150%, compared to
bare ground areas. These benefits are contingent on the facilitation
strength of specific cushions and decrease with distance from the cushion
edges. Importantly, the enhanced plant diversity within CCMCs strengthens
the positive relationships between diversity and community biomass
production and stability through complementarity effects. This increased
micro-community-scale diversity is essential for supporting and sustaining
ecosystem functioning and stability. These insights advance our
understanding of the ecological significance of multiple cushion plant
species, demonstrating their joint role in not only sustaining local
diversity but also enhancing ecosystem functioning (specifically community
productivity) and stability in alpine environments.