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The Effect of Genetic Diversity on Ecosystem Functioning in Vegetated Coastal Ecosystems

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Abstract

In species-poor communities, genetic diversity potentially plays an important role for ecosystem functioning, though this is still largely unexplored in marine and estuarine ecosystems. We studied how genetic diversity (sensu genotypic diversity and/or allelic richness) affects ecosystem functioning in marine habitat-forming plant communities. First, we conducted a 15-month field experiment in the highly seasonal Baltic Sea and established mono- and polycultures of different genotypes and genotype combinations of Zostera marina. Second, we reviewed existing literature and performed a meta-analysis of 12 studies including this study. We found no evidence of positive genetic diversity effects on shoot production in the field experiment, but diversity enhanced community stability over time. The literature review revealed that a majority of the included studies observed positive effects of genetic diversity on ecosystem functions such as primary production and nutrient uptake. The results from the meta-analysis support the hypothesis that genetic diversity effects on productivity are stronger during or after periods of stress. These diversity effects were also more positive in the field compared to mesocosm studies. Our results indicate that genetic diversity has positive effects on ecosystem functioning, particularly during increased environmental stress. Thus, local genetic diversity should be preserved especially in species-poor ecosystems, where it potentially provides insurance against environmental change.

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Acknowledgements

C Boström, L Kauppi, and H Puro are acknowledged for their assistance in the field and TBH Reusch for genotyping. Korpoström Archipelago Centre provided excellent working facilities. This study was funded by Stiftelsen för Åbo Akademi, Waldemar von Frenckells stiftelse, Maa- ja vesitekniikan tuki ry (TS), Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation, and the Swedish Cultural Foundation (CG).

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Aquatic Ecology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland

    Tiina Salo

  2. Environmental and Marine Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Åbo Akademi University, Artillerigatan 6, 20520, Åbo, Finland

    Tiina Salo & Camilla Gustafsson

  3. Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, J.A. Palménin tie 260, 10900, Hanko, Finland

    Camilla Gustafsson

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  1. Tiina Salo
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Correspondence to Tiina Salo.

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Both authors participated in the conception and design of the study, research and writing of the paper. TS analysed the data.

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Salo, T., Gustafsson, C. The Effect of Genetic Diversity on Ecosystem Functioning in Vegetated Coastal Ecosystems. Ecosystems 19, 1429–1444 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-016-0014-y

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