Our life on Earth builds on healthy functioning of ecosystems, but we harm ecosystems by disturbances and environmental changes. Often these leads to biodiversity loss, which reduces ecosystem functioning. More commonly they lead to shifts in species abundances, regularly also to species gains. We know poorly when and by which mechanisms these changes alter ecosystem functions. This project uses functional traits as a measure of biodiversity. It investigates whether species interactions and dispersal amplify or mitigate the impacts of biodiversity changes on ecosystem functions in a changing environment at three scales: whole Finland scale using observations, locally in forest and tundra using field experiments and mechanistically using greenhouse mesocosms. This kind of theory-driven, mechanism-oriented research advances our understanding on consequences of biodiversity changes for ecosystem functioning and provide science-based solutions for more sustainable use of resources.

2022

2027