Measuring the effects of change in biodiversity on multiple ecosystem functions

Jarrett Byrnes, Lars Gamfeldt, Forest Isbell, Jonathan Lefcheck, John Griffin, Andrew Hector, Bradley Cardinale, David Hooper, Laura Dee, J. Emmett Duffy

UMass Boston, University of Gothenburg, University of Minnesota, Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences, Swansea University, University of Zurich, University of Michigan, Western Washington University, University of California Santa Barbara, Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences

http://jebyrnes.github.io/intecol-multifunc

Meta-analysis Trio: Diversity Affects Function

Balvanera et al. 2006 Eco. Let.

But Are Only Two Species Needed?


Cardinale et al. 2006

Balvanera et al. 2006 Eco. Let.
Duffy et al. 2003 Ecology Letters

Multifunctionality: the simultaneous performance of multiple functions

How to Measure Multifunctionality

  1. Past Methods of 'Measuring' Multifunctionality
  2. At the Threshold of a Solution
  3. Future Explorations of BEMF

An Example: Biodepth

Functions Measured in Germany

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Different Ways of Measuring Multifunctionality

  1. Overlap in Species Influencing Function
  2. Average Function
  3. Number of Functions Performing at a Threshold

Overlap in Species Influencing Function

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This is not a measure of Multifunctionality

Average of Standardized Functions

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Many results lead to the same line

Number of Functions Performing at a Threshold

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Threshold may be arbitrary

How to Measure Multifunctionality

  1. Past Methods of 'Measuring' Multifunctionality
  2. At the Threshold of a Solution
  3. Future Explorations of BEMF

Thresholds Seem Arbitrary

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Slope Changes Systematically Across Thresholds

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Slope Changes Systematically Across Thresholds

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Slope Changes Systematically Across Thresholds

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Slope Changes Systematically Across Thresholds

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How to Measure Multifunctionality

  1. Past Methods of 'Measuring' Multifunctionality
  2. At the Threshold of a Solution
  3. Future Explorations of BEMF

Comparing Systems

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Comparing Systems Behaviour

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Assessing Generality of Metrics

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How do We Measure Multifunctionality?

  1. Multifunctionality is a nuanced phenomenon
  2. Multiple methods in the literature address different aspects of multifunctionality
  3. Examining the relationship between diversity and # of Functions > a threshold at multiple thresholds provides new promising metrics
    These methods not limited to biodiversity-ecosystem function research

Thanks to NCEAS & the BEF Working Group