Ecosystem multifunctionality: benefits of forb plant communities to local pollinators and soil properties

Abstract

Turfgrass landscapes have expanded rapidly in the United States and are a dominant land cover in urban ecosystems, predicted to expand as urban areas increase. If turfgrass is a dominating land cover, then this homogenization in plant species diversity (quality) and biomass (quantity) could result in negative impacts on multiple ecosystem functions (ecosystem multifunctionality [EMF]), both above- and belowground. Our study compares multiple ecosystem response variables across three habitat types, 1) bermudagrass turfs (BG), 2) pollinator gardens (PG), and 3) remnant prairies (RP) (N=18, n=6). We measured above- and belowground variables for relative EMF between habitats. We assess whether there is a distinguishable difference between functions of these urban (BG, PG) and native (RP) grassland habitats and if aboveground variables can be used as predictors for belowground biotic and abiotic properties. Our results indicate that PG function similarly to RP in promoting pollinators, pest regulation, and plant production. In addition, PG differ in function compared to RP in nutrient cycling, biodiversity, and all habitats are similar in water cycling. Our analysis indicates that BG significantly differ, and are lower in function, compared to PG and RP.