Find research datasets worth reusing
Search datasets from major research repositories and use ShareScore to quickly assess how well each record supports discovery, access, and reuse.
79
datasets available to search
ShareScore release 0.9.0
Dataset results
79 results for “biodiversity–ecosystem functioning”
Data and R code for: An experimental approach to assessing the impact of ecosystem engineers on biodiversity and ecosystem functions
Open the record for dataset details and reuse information.
Data from: Cross-boundary connections of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in boreal ecosystems
Open the record for dataset details and reuse information.
Data from: Large-scale variation in biodiversity–ecosystem functioning (BEF) relationships in aquatic metacommunities on terrestrial islands
Open the record for dataset details and reuse information.
Data from: Invasive dominance and resident diversity: unpacking the impact of plant invasion on biodiversity and ecosystem function
Plant invasions have consistently been shown to cause significant reductions in the diversity of recipient plant communities; an effect that can cascade through ecosystems to impact the stocks and flows of nutrients and energy as well as the diversity of higher trophic levels. However, the manner in which invasive plants alter ecosystem functioning and trophic interactions is highly variable can occur through the direct effects of the invader's abundance and its indirect effects via changes in community diversity. Understanding the nature of these interactions between plant invasion, community diversity and ecosystem functioning can provide insight for ecosystem managers. We evaluated whether plant invasion alters the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function (BEF) by comparing BEF models that either include or subtract the diversity and function values associated with the invasive vine, Vincetoxicum rossicum. To do this, we 1) characterize V. rossicum within the functional trait space of the regional species pool; 2) assess how different components of plant biodiversity vary along a V. rossicum invasion gradient; and 3) examine how V. rossicum invasion affects BEF relationships and trophic interactions, both at the plot-scale and incrementally along a site-level invasion gradient. In general, we found that V. rossicum invasion was associated with significant declines in plant community diversity across a suite of biodiversity measures; a consequence of V. rossicum's functional trait structure (height and specific leaf area). We also found that V. rossicum invasion resulted in significantly greater productivity (i.e. dominance effects in the inclusion model), but also that the diversity of the remaining resident community was positively associated with productivity (i.e. niche complementarity in the subtraction model). Further, we observed that while the relationship between flower cover and pollinator diversity was positive for both the inclusion and subtraction models, this relationship was stronger in the absence of V. rossicum. Our findings suggest that while plant invasion can result in enhanced productivity via dominance effects, this comes at the cost of significant declines in diversity. However, it is also the case that remaining resident diversity can exhibit positive effects on multiple functions and support for higher trophic levels.
Data from: Experimental demonstration of the importance of keystone communities for maintaining metacommunity biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
<p>As local communities within a metacommunity may differ considerably in their contributions to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, it has been suggested that conservation priority should be given to disproportionately important local communities (i.e., keystone communities). However, we know little about what characterizes a keystone community. Using laboratory protist microcosms as the model system, we examined how the environmental uniqueness and location of a local community affect its contributions to the metacommunities. We found that the removal of local communities with unique environmental conditions, which supported endemic species, reduced regional-scale diversity, qualifying them as regional-scale keystone communities. In addition, the local communities possessing unique environmental conditions had greater impacts on ecosystem functions, including biovolume production and particulate organic matter decomposition. We also found that keystone communities for biovolume production were not keystone for organic matter decomposition, and vice versa. Our study, therefore, demonstrates the important role of keystone communities in maintaining biodiversity and functioning of metacommunities.</p>
Mountain biodiversity and ecosystem functions: Interplay between geology and contemporary environments
<p><span>Although biodiversity and ecosystem functions are strongly shaped by contemporary environments such as climate and local biotic and abiotic attributes, relatively little is known about how they depend on long-term geological processes. Here, along a 3000-m elevational gradient with tectonic faults on the Tibetan Plateau, we studied the joint effects of geological and contemporary environments on biological communities<i>, </i>such as the diversity and community composition of plants and soil bacteria,<i> </i>and ecosystem functions<i>.</i> We found that these biological communities and ecosystem functions generally show consistent elevational breakpoints at 2000–2800 m, which coincide with Indus-Yalu suture zone fault and are similar to the elevational breakpoints of soil bacteria on another mountain range 1000 km away. Mean annual temperature, soil pH and moisture were the primary contemporary determinants of biodiversity and ecosystem functions, which supports previous findings. However, compared to the models excluding geological processes, inclusion of geological effects, including parent rock and weathering, increased 67.9% and 35.9% of the explained variations in plant and bacterial communities, respectively. Such inclusion increased 27.6% of the explained variations in ecosystem functions. The geological processes thus provide additional links to ecosystem properties, which are prominent but show divergent effects on biodiversity and ecosystem functions: parent rock and weathering exert considerable direct effects on biodiversity, whereas indirectly influence ecosystem functions via interactions with biodiversity and contemporary environments. Thus, the integration of geological processes with environmental gradients could enhance our understanding of biodiversity and, ultimately, ecosystem functioning across different climatic zones.</span></p>
A graphical null model for scaling biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships
1. Global biodiversity is declining at rates faster than at any other point in human history. Experimental manipulations at small spatial scales have demonstrated that communities with fewer species consistently produce less biomass than higher diversity communities. Understanding how the global extinction crisis is likely to impact global ecosystem functioning requires applying these local experimental results at substantially larger spatial and temporal scales. 2. Here we propose a null model for scaling biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships using observed macroecological patterns. We use species-area and biomass-area curves to predict species richness – biomass relationships at multiple scales and validate these predictions with data from a Minnesota grassland and a Panamanian tropical dry forest. 3. Our null model accurately predicts species richness-biomass relationships across scales from these species-area and biomass-area relationships. However, we note two important caveats that will increase our ability to apply experimentally collected data to the global scale problem of species loss. First when ecosystem functioning is measured as per unit area (e.g., biomass m-2), as is common in biodiversity-ecosystem functioning experiments, the slope of the biodiversity ecosystem functioning relationship should decrease with increasing scale. Alternatively, when ecosystem functioning is not measured per unit area (e.g., summed total biomass), as is common in scaling studies, the slope of the biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationship should increase with increasing spatial scale. Second, the underlying macroecological patterns of biodiversity experiments are predictably different from some naturally assembled systems. For example, in non-successional naturally assembled ecosystem, biomass is unlikely to change directionally through time. Biodiversity-ecosystem functioning experiments, however, often start from bare ground and biomass increases through time. From these underlying patterns, we would predict that the slope of the biodiversity-productivity relationship in a naturally assembled system not undergoing succession would decrease with increasing time. Alternatively, in an experiment we would predict an increase over time. 4. This paper provides a simple but novel null hypothesis for scaling any relationship between biodiversity and any ecosystem function in space and time. These predictions provide crucial insights into how and when we can extend results from small scale biodiversity experiments to naturally assembled regional and global ecosystems.
Data from: Interactive effects of climate change and biodiversity loss on ecosystem functioning
Climate change and biodiversity loss are expected to simultaneously affect ecosystems, however research on how each driver mediates the effect of the other has been limited in scope. The multiple stressor framework emphasizes non-additive effects, but biodiversity may also buffer the effects of climate change, and climate change may alter which mechanisms underlie biodiversity-function relationships. Here, we performed an experiment using tank bromeliad ecosystems to test the various ways that rainfall changes and litter diversity may jointly determine ecological processes. Litter diversity and rainfall changes interactively affected multiple functions, but how depended on the process measured. High litter diversity buffered the effects of altered rainfall on detritivore communities, evidence of insurance against impacts of climate change. Altered rainfall affected the mechanisms by which litter diversity influenced decomposition, reducing the importance of complementary attributes of species ("complementarity effects"), and resulting in an increasing dependence on the maintenance of specific species ("dominance effects"). Finally, altered rainfall conditions prevented litter diversity from fuelling methanogenesis, because such changes in rainfall reduced microbial activity by 58%. Together, these results demonstrate that the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss on ecosystems cannot be understood in isolation and interactions between these stressors can be multifaceted.
Data from: Biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships in long-term time series and palaeoecological records: deep sea as a test bed
The link between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF) over long temporal scales is poorly understood. Here, we investigate biological monitoring and palaeoecological records on decadal, centennial and millennial time scales from a BEF framework, by using deep-sea, soft-sediment environments as a test bed. Results generally show positive BEF relationships, in agreement with BEF studies based on present-day spatial analyses and short-term manipulative experiments. However, the deep-sea BEF relationship is much noisier across longer time scales compared with modern observational studies. We also demonstrate with palaeoecological time-series data that a larger species pool does not enhance ecosystem stability through time, whereas abundance, as an indicator of higher ecosystem functioning, may enhance ecosystem stability. These results suggest that BEF relationships are potentially timescale-dependent. Environmental impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning may be much stronger than biodiversity impacts on ecosystem functioning at long, decadal–millennial, time scales. Longer time-scale perspectives, including palaeoecological and ecosystem monitoring data, are critical for predicting future BEF relationships on a rapidly changing planet.
Data from: Meiofauna affect the macrobenthic biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationship
The biodiversity–ecosystem functioning (B–EF) relationship has become of main interest in the last few decades, mostly because of the worldwide increase in species extinctions. However, most of these studies only consider species within single size-class or trophic level, thereby most likely underestimating ecosystem complexity. To reach more realistic scenarios, we assessed the role of meiofauna (lower size-class level) on the relationship between macrofaunal biodiversity and multiple benthic ecosystem properties. Experiments took place under controlled conditions using three macrofaunal species (Alitta (formerly Nereis) virens, Macoma balthica and Mya arenaria). A total of eight combinations of zero to three functionally different macrofaunal species were maintained in microcosms for 34 days in either the presence or absence of a different size-class grouping (a meiofaunal mixture). The organic matter content and bacterial abundance in sediments and the oxygen and nutrient (NH4+, NOx-, PO4 3-) fluxes across the sediment-water interface were measured and used as proxies of ecosystem properties. Overall, macrofaunal species richness did not modify any of the measured properties; however, we observed changes associated to the presence of A. virens and M. balthica. This study also revealed a strong impact of the presence of meiofauna on ecosystem properties. They changed interactions between macrofaunal species, which led to modifications in the ecosystem properties. Thus, even if this size-class group has been poorly considered in previous studies, this experiment suggests that future studies should consider the meiofauna with greater attention, particularly in the context of B–EF.
Belowground ecosystem engineers enhance biodiversity and function in a polluted ecosystem
<p>Many important ecosystem functions are underpinned by belowground biodiversity and processes. Marine sediments, one of the most abundant habitats on earth, are essential to the mineralisation of organic matter. However, they are increasingly polluted by urban activities leading to the loss of biodiversity and the functions they provide. While traditional sediment remediation strategies are focussed on microbial and engineering solutions, we propose that the reintroduction of belowground ecosystem engineers (bioturbators) is important to rehabilitate polluted sediments and drive recovery of their functions in urban coastal ecosystems. We tested this notion by introducing bioturbators to nutrient polluted sediments to assess their survival, as well as their capacity to drive biodiversity and oxygenation and their potential to remediate nutrient pollution. Polychaete worms Diopatra aciculata and clams Katelysia sp. were added to mesocosms (ex-situ), and the worms also added to experimental plots in-situ. Potential for remediation was assessed with measures of nutrient content. All animals survived when introduced to polluted sediments and showed no evidence of sub-lethal effects. Worms oxygenated sediments and reduced organic matter content by up to 50% in-situ. The worms also drove shifts in the receiving communities at all locations and increased the number of taxa at one location. On the other hand, the effects of clams were variable, showing opposite effects in organic matter content at different sites and levels of pollution. Synthesis and applications. Global seafloor habitats are becoming increasingly degraded and novel strategies that combine biodiversity restoration with remediation are urgently needed to return function. Tube-building bioturbators can stimulate nutrient processing in sediments proving multiple functional outcomes, but these effects are dependent on the receiving environment. In areas with medium levels of pollution, they can kick-start recovery in a feedback loop whereby bioturbation increases oxygenation and nutrient remediation, shifting sediment biodiversity and contributing to further recovery. This can drive long-term changes in sediment communities, particularly in urban areas where unvegetated sediments are conspicuous.</p>
Biodiversity and ecosystem functions in the Tibetan grasslands
<p>Data from the Tibetan grasslands</p>
Data: Trait-based food web model reveals the underlying mechanisms of biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships
<p>Data and code related to 'Trait-based food web model reveals the underlying mechanisms of biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships' to reproduce figures and analyses.</p>
Spatio-temporal dynamics of abiotic and biotic properties explain biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships
<p>There is increasing evidence that spatial and temporal dynamics of biodiversity and ecosystem functions play an essential role in biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF) relationships. Despite the known importance of soil processes for forest ecosystems, belowground functions in response to tree diversity and spatio-temporal dynamics of ecological processes and conditions remain poorly described. We propose a novel conceptual framework integrating spatio-temporal dynamics in BEF relationships and hypothesized a positive tree species richness effect on soil ecosystem functions through the spatial and temporal stability of biotic and abiotic soil properties based on species complementarity and asynchrony. We tested this framework within a long-term tree diversity experiment in Central Germany by assessing soil ecosystem functions (soil microbial properties and litter decomposition) and abiotic variables (soil moisture and surface temperature) for two consecutive years in high spatial and temporal resolution. Tree species richness and identity had significant effects on soil properties (e.g., soil microbial biomass). Structural equation modeling revealed that overall soil microbial biomass was partly explained by (a) enhanced temporal stability of soil surface temperature and (b) decreased spatial stability of soil microbial biomass. Overall, spatial stability of soil microbial properties was positively correlated with their temporal stability. These results suggest that spatio-temporal dynamics are indeed crucial determinants in BEF relationships and highlight the importance of vegetation-induced microclimatic conditions for stable provisioning of soil ecosystem functions and services.</p>
Data from: Changes in the location of biodiversity–ecosystem function hot spots across the seafloor landscape with increasing sediment nutrient loading
Open the record for dataset details and reuse information.
Data from: Biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships in long-term time series and palaeoecological records: deep sea as a test bed
Open the record for dataset details and reuse information.
Data from: Complementing urban agriculture and green spaces is important for ecosystem functions and biodiversity in cities: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Open the record for dataset details and reuse information.
A graphical null model for scaling biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships
Open the record for dataset details and reuse information.
Data from: Interactive effects of climate change and biodiversity loss on ecosystem functioning
Open the record for dataset details and reuse information.
Data from: Experimental demonstration of the importance of keystone communities for maintaining metacommunity biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
Open the record for dataset details and reuse information.
ScienceDex guides
Understand access before you commit
These curated guides explain access requirements, typical timelines, costs, and reuse considerations for widely used research datasets.
Allen Brain Atlas
Allen Brain Atlas is an Allen Institute collection of brain map atlases, datasets, APIs, and analysis tools covering mouse, human, and non-human primate brain resources.
Annotated Behaviour and Observability Dataset (ABODe)
ABODe is a University of Edinburgh DataShare dataset for behavior classification in group-housed mice using home-cage video, identities, bounding boxes, ground-plate positions, and annotator labels.
DANDI Archive for NWB datasets
DANDI is a BRAIN Initiative archive for publishing and sharing neurophysiology data, including electrophysiology, optophysiology, and behavioral data packaged as NWB and related standards.
International Brain Laboratory public data
The International Brain Laboratory public data releases expose standardized mouse decision-making experiments, including Neuropixels recordings, widefield calcium imaging, behavior, and session metadata accessed through the ONE API.
OpenNeuro
OpenNeuro is a free, open platform for sharing neuroimaging datasets, with public search, dataset pages, and download paths for web, S3, DataLad, and the OpenNeuro CLI.