Estimating ecological production from biomass

Ecosphere

David G. Jenkins¹ 

[1] Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816-2368 USA;

关键词: allometric scaling;    biodiversity and ecosystem functioning;    function;    macroecology;    model selection;    productivity;   

DOI  :  10.1890/ES14-00409.1

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Productivity‐diversity relationships (P/D) are a vital theme in ecology, but productivity is typically not measured directly in that research. Instead, biomass (B) is the most common proxy for productivity, often as a 1:1 substitute. Unfortunately, this practice may cause error and uncertainty in P/D research, due to the fundamental difference between B and P and variable P/B ratios among and within systems. As a result, P/D research often measures a B/D relationship but interprets it as P/D. Fortunately, plausible, statistically legitimate and predictive P/B relationships can be found with careful analyses based on model selection of alternative allometric scaling equations and tests of model assumptions. Analyses are presented here for P/B relationships of 19 data sets, ranging from plant and animal populations and assemblages to ecosystems and biomes, representing over 2,300 analyzed P/B data. Models included standardized major regression (SMA) and ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions. Simple linear 1:1 P/B relationships are never supported. Instead, logP‐logB transformed data, consistent with allometric scaling approaches, are far more common as the most plausible, statistically legitimate and predictive models. Given these relationships, many P/D studies with only B data may now better estimate P with SMA models, while studies with P and B data in some plots may estimate P in parallel plots with B and D data by using OLS models. Two grassland examples are re‐analyzed to evaluate the importance of this approach to P/D research when B was used as a proxy for P; in one case, P had been underestimated by 20%; in the other case, P had been overestimated by 20%. The difference is related to underlying sampling methods and obtained data. The approach presented here may help productivity‐diversity research resolve some uncertainty to better understand effects of ecological diversity on biomass production.

【 授权许可】

Unknown