IAI-Data-CRN_012_Austin_BIOD-MESOF: Relationship between above- and belowground diversity in an undisturbed temperate forest in southern Argentina (Patagonia)

Recent interest in the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem
functioning has resulted in a multitude of large-scale manipulative
experiments examining the effect of aboveground diversity on net
primary productivity but many fewer studies have examined the effects
of diversity on other ecosystem processes or changes in belowground
diversity. We conducted a study in an undisturbed temperate forest in
southern Argentina (Patagonia) to examine the relationship between
above- and belowground diversity. We took advantage of a forest mosaic
where three species of Nothofagus spp. occurred together, and
established monospecific and mixed-species plots of 1 or 3
species. Litter and soil samples were collected in these plots and
soil organisms including microbial biomass and mesofauna were
evaluated in the respective aboveground diversity
treatments. Significant differences in abundance and diversity of
belowground organisms was related to aboveground diversity. These data
were collected as part of the project CRN 012 examining the effects of
biodiversity on ecosystem functioning, led by Dr. Osvaldo Sala, with
collaboration by Adriana Fernandez Souto, Lucia Vivanco, Marina
Gonzalez Polo, Patricia Araujo, and Adelia Gonzalez-Arzac.