The negative impact of a lack of plant functional diversity on ecosystems is well-documented, and can be seen in action in most dryland ecosystems. However, the indirect effects of biotic interactions – activities of certain living organisms that can impact the survival of others – are still unknown. The DRYFUN project set out to lift the veil on this issue.
Drylands account for 45 % of the Earth land’s surface. Fighting land degradation and desertification has become a priority in these regions, and vegetation attributes are expected to play a crucial role in this endeavour. In order to implement effective counter-measures, however, stakeholders need to understand all the factors at play.
Further details: How changes in biotic interactions impact dryland ecosystems