Assessing above-ground biomass-functional diversity relationships in temperate forests in northern Mexico

Abstract Background Studies on the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem productivity have suggested that species richness functional diversity are main drivers of processes. Several patterns this been found, including positive, unimodal, negative, neutral trends, keeping issue controversial. In study, taxonomic as above-ground biomass (AGB) were compared, mechanisms influence production investigated by testing complementarity mass-ratio hypotheses. Methods Using data from 414 permanent sample plots, covering 23% temperate forest in Sierra Madre Oriental (México), we estimated above-gound (AGB), indices, well community weighted mean values (CWM) for three traits (maximum height, leaf size wood density) trees ≥7.5 cm DBH, managed unmanaged stands. To compare differences stands carried out a rarefaction analysis. Furthermore, evaluated AGB metrics, CWM throught spatial autoregressive models. Results We found hump-shaped forests. CMW maximum height was most important predictor both stands, which mechanism underlaying AGB-diversity is dominance some highly productive species, supporting hypothesis. Above-ground significantly correlated with five richness. Our results show importance taking into account autocorrelation construction predictive models to avoid spurious relationship. Conclusion Species richness, dispersion RaoQ indices relate mixed-species uneven-aged forests northern Mexico. These AGB-species Functional explains better than classical diversity. Community provide key information explain stand these forests, where tree seems be more suitable trait understanding accumulation process ecosystems. Although impact management still debated, it has not changed relationships Occidental,