Richard D. Bardgett

Bio: Richard D. Bardgett is an academic researcher from University of Manchester. The author has contributed to research in topics: Ecosystem & Soil biology. The author has an hindex of 115, co-authored 381 publications receiving 51685 citations. Previous affiliations of Richard D. Bardgett include Lancaster University & English Nature.

Discontinuity in the responses of ecosystem processes and multifunctionality to altered soil community composition

Abstract: Ecosystem management policies increasingly emphasize provision of multiple, as opposed to single, ecosystem services. Management for such “multifunctionality” has stimulated research into the role that biodiversity plays in providing desired rates of multiple ecosystem processes. Positive effects of biodiversity on indices of multifunctionality are consistently found, primarily because species that are redundant for one ecosystem process under a given set of environmental conditions play a distinct role under different conditions or in the provision of another ecosystem process. Here we show that the positive effects of diversity (specifically community composition) on multifunctionality indices can also arise from a statistical fallacy analogous to Simpson’s paradox (where aggregating data obscures causal relationships). We manipulated soil faunal community composition in combination with nitrogen fertilization of model grassland ecosystems and repeatedly measured five ecosystem processes related to plant productivity, carbon storage, and nutrient turnover. We calculated three common multifunctionality indices based on these processes and found that the functional complexity of the soil communities had a consistent positive effect on the indices. However, only two of the five ecosystem processes also responded positively to increasing complexity, whereas the other three responded neutrally or negatively. Furthermore, none of the individual processes responded to both the complexity and the nitrogen manipulations in a manner consistent with the indices. Our data show that multifunctionality indices can obscure relationships that exist between communities and key ecosystem processes, leading us to question their use in advancing theoretical understanding—and in management decisions—about how biodiversity is related to the provision of multiple ecosystem services.

Plant functional group identity influences short-term peatland ecosystem carbon flux: evidence from a plant removal experiment

Abstract: 1. Northern hemisphere peatlands are globally important stores of organic soil carbon. We examined effects of plant functional group identity on short-term carbon (C) flux in an ombrotrophic peatland in northern England, UK, by selectively removing one of each of the three dominant plant functional groups (ericoid dwarf-shrubs, graminoids and bryophytes). Carbon dynamics were quantified by a combination of CO(2) flux measurements and (13)CO(2) stable isotope pulse labelling approaches. 2. Significant effects of plant functional group removals on CO(2) fluxes and tracer (13)C uptake and turnover were detected. Removal of ericoid dwarf- shrubs had the greatest influence on gross CO(2) flux, increasing rates of respiration and photosynthesis by > 200% relative to the undisturbed control. After pulse labelling with (13)CO(2), we found that turnover of recent photosynthate, measured as respired (13)CO(2) was also greatest in the absence of dwarf- shrubs. 3. Analysis of (13)C tracer enrichment in leaf tissues from all plant removal treatments showed that the rate of fixation of (13)CO(2) and turnover of (13)C labelled photosynthate in leaf tissue was greatest in graminoids and lowest in bryophytes. Furthermore, graminoid leaf (13)C enrichment was greatest when growing in the absence of dwarf-shrubs, suggesting that the presence of dwarf- shrubs reduced the photosynthetic activity of graminoids. 4. We conclude that plant functional groups differentially influence the uptake and short-term flux of carbon in peatlands, suggesting that changes in the functional composition of vegetation resulting from global change have the potential to alter short-term patterns of carbon exchange in peatland.

Below-ground herbivory promotes soil nutrient transfer and root growth in grassland

Abstract: Extremely little is known about the ecosystem-level implications of below-ground herbivory, which often represents the dominant form of consumption of primary productivity. We provide the first empirical evidence that low levels of below-ground herbivory may promote soil nutrient flux and root growth of both host plants and companion plants. Low levels of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) root infection by clover cyst nematodes (Heterodera trifolii Goffart) increased root growth by 141% and 219% in the host plant and the uninfected neighbouring grass (Lolium perenne L.), respectively. Root infection increased the size of the soil microbial biomass in the root zone and the transfer of 15N from the host plant to soil and the neighbouring grass. These data suggest that low amounts of below-ground herbivory may increase the transfer of plant carbon and nitrogen below-ground, leading to increases in root growth and soil nutrient recycling in grasslands. Presumably, such interactions will influence the competitive interactions between plant species, altering plant community structure in grasslands.

Impact of coloniser plant species on the development of decomposer microbial communities following deglaciation

Abstract: The effects of coloniser plant species on microbial community growth and composition were investigated on recently deglaciated terrain at Glacier Bay, south-east Alaska. Analysis of microbial communities using phospholipids fatty acid analysis (PLFA) revealed that Alnus and Rhacomitrium had the greatest impact on microbial growth, increasing total PLFA by some 6–7 fold relative to bare soil, whereas Equisetum led to a 5.5 fold increase in total PLFA relative to bare soil. These coloniser species also had significant effects on the composition of their associated microbial communities. Rhacomitrium, Alnus, and Equisetum increased bacterial PLFA, a measure of bacterial biomass, relative to bare soil. Rhacomitrium and Alnus also dramatically increased the concentration of the fungal fatty 18:2ω6 in soil relative to bare soil, by 12-fold and 8-fold, respectively. The net effect of the above changes was a significant increase in the ratio of fungal: bacterial fatty acids in soil associated with Alnus and Rhacomitrium, but not Equisetum. Possible reasons for these effects of particular plants on microbial communities are discussed, as is their significance in relation to the development of microbial communities in relatively sterile, recently deglaciated ground.

疟原虫var基因转换速率变化导致抗原变异[英]／Paul H, Robert P, Christodoulou Z, et al//Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Abstract: 抗原变异可使得多种致病微生物易于逃避宿主免疫应答。表达在感染红细胞表面的恶性疟原虫红细胞表面蛋白1（PfPMP1）与感染红细胞、内皮细胞、树突状细胞以及胎盘的单个或多个受体作用，在黏附及免疫逃避中起关键的作用。每个单倍体基因组var基因家族编码约60种成员，通过启动转录不同的var基因变异体为抗原变异提供了分子基础。

Effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning: a consensus of current knowledge

Abstract: Humans are altering the composition of biological communities through a variety of activities that increase rates of species invasions and species extinctions, at all scales, from local to global. These changes in components of the Earth's biodiversity cause concern for ethical and aesthetic reasons, but they also have a strong potential to alter ecosystem properties and the goods and services they provide to humanity. Ecological experiments, observations, and theoretical developments show that ecosystem properties depend greatly on biodiversity in terms of the functional characteristics of organisms present in the ecosystem and the distribution and abundance of those organisms over space and time. Species effects act in concert with the effects of climate, resource availability, and disturbance regimes in influencing ecosystem properties. Human activities can modify all of the above factors; here we focus on modification of these biotic controls. The scientific community has come to a broad consensus on many aspects of the re- lationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, including many points relevant to management of ecosystems. Further progress will require integration of knowledge about biotic and abiotic controls on ecosystem properties, how ecological communities are struc- tured, and the forces driving species extinctions and invasions. To strengthen links to policy and management, we also need to integrate our ecological knowledge with understanding of the social and economic constraints of potential management practices. Understanding this complexity, while taking strong steps to minimize current losses of species, is necessary for responsible management of Earth's ecosystems and the diverse biota they contain.

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Biodiversity loss and its impact on humanity

Abstract: The most unique feature of Earth is the existence of life, and the most extraordinary feature of life is its diversity. Approximately 9 million types of plants, animals, protists and fungi inhabit the Earth. So, too, do 7 billion people. Two decades ago, at the first Earth Summit, the vast majority of the world's nations declared that human actions were dismantling the Earth's ecosystems, eliminating genes, species and biological traits at an alarming rate. This observation led to the question of how such loss of biological diversity will alter the functioning of ecosystems and their ability to provide society with the goods and services needed to prosper.

Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis.

Abstract: Cause, conseguenze e strategie di mitigazione Proponiamo il primo di una serie di articoli in cui affronteremo l’attuale problema dei mutamenti climatici. Presentiamo il documento redatto, votato e pubblicato dall’Ipcc - Comitato intergovernativo sui cambiamenti climatici - che illustra la sintesi delle ricerche svolte su questo tema rilevante.