Functional Diversity Can Predict Ecosystem Functions Better Than Dominant Species: The Case of Desert Plants in the Ebinur Lake Basin

Studying the impact of biodiversity on ecosystem multifunctionality is helpful for clarifying ecological mechanisms (such as niche complementary effects and selection) ecosystems providing multiple services. Biodiversity has a significant versatility, but relative importance functional diversity dominant species to functions needs further evaluation. We studied desert plant community in Ebinur Lake Basin. Based field survey data experimental analysis, relationship between richness single function was analyzed. The effect selective explaining arid areas discussed. There no correlation (soil available phosphorus, organic matter, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen) Nitraria tangutorum (p < 0.05). Soil matter phosphorus had specific leaf area height Functional dispersion (FDis) soil while (SR) obvious function. A structural equation model showed that direct function, strong its coefficients action were 0.226 0.422. results can help explain response mechanism areas, which may provide referential significance vegetation protection restoration other similar areas.