Plant species diversity, plant biomass and responses of the soil community on abandoned land across Europe: idiosyncracy or above-belowground time lags

Hedlund, K., Regina, I. S., Van der Putten, W. H., Leps, J., Diaz, T., Korthals, G. W., Lavorel, S., Brown, V. K., Gormsen, D., Mortimer, S. R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6160-6741, Barrueco, C. R., Roy, J., Smilauer, P., Smilauerova, M. and Van Dijk, C. (2003) Plant species diversity, plant biomass and responses of the soil community on abandoned land across Europe: idiosyncracy or above-belowground time lags. Oikos, 103 (1). pp. 45-58. ISSN 0030-1299

Abstract/Summary

The relationship between plant species diversity, productivity and the development of the soil community during early secondary succession on former arable land across Europe is investigated. The enhancement of biomass production due to the increase in initial plant species diversity and the consequent stimulation of soil microbial biomass and abundance of soil invertebrates are examined.