A group of international scientists including USGS researchers has resolved a long-standing debate about whether species diversity is necessary for a healthy ecosystem, finding clear evidence that biological communities rich in species are substantially healthier and more productive than those depleted of species. The scientists used data collected for this research by a global consortium, the Nutrient Network, from more than a thousand grassland plots spanning five continents.
Using recent advances in analytical methods, the group was able to isolate the biodiversity effect from the effects of other processes, including processes that can reduce diversity. Using these data with "integrative modeling"--integrating the predictions from multiple theories into a single model—scientists detected the clear signals of numerous underlying mechanisms linking the health and productivity of ecosystems with species richness. The research was published in the journal Nature.