Impacts of multiple stressors on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: The role of species co-tolerance.

Vinebrook, R. , Cottingham, K.L. , Norberg, J. , Scheffers, Michael, Dodson, S.I. , Maberly, S. C. and Sommer, Ulrich (2004) Impacts of multiple stressors on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: The role of species co-tolerance. Oikos, 104 . pp. 451-457.

[thumbnail of Vinebrooke.pdf] Text
Vinebrooke.pdf - Reprinted Version
Restricted to Registered users only

Download (330kB)

Abstract

Ecosystem resistance to a single stressor relies on tolerant species that can compensate for sensitive competitors and maintain ecosystem processes, such as primary production. We hypothesize that resistance to additional stressors depends increasingly on species tolerances being positively correlated (i.e. positive species co-tolerance). Initial exposure to a stressor combined with positive species co-tolerance should reduce the impacts of other stressors, which we term stress-induced community tolerance. In contrast, negative species co-tolerance is expected to result in additional stressors having pronounced additive or synergistic impacts on biologically impoverished functional groups, which we term stress-induced community sensitivity. Therefore, the sign and strength of the correlation between species sensitivities to multiple stressors must be considered when predicting the impacts of global change on ecosystem functioning as mediated by changes in biodiversity.

Document Type: Article
Keywords: Biodiversity; Ecosystem
Research affiliation: Kiel University
OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB3 Marine Ecology > FB3-EOE-N Experimental Ecology - Food Webs
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: No
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Date Deposited: 11 Feb 2010 14:37
Last Modified: 23 Sep 2019 23:29
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/4339

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item