부산대학교 도서관

Aims: We explore the potential effect of plant diversity on yield and greenhouse gas exchanges in forage mixtures, identifying potential co-benefits between functions. Methods: Using the biodiversity-ecosystem function (BEF) modelling framework (Connolly et al. ), we analyse results from a field experiment where the relative sown proportion of three forage species (a grass, a legume, and a non-legume forb) was varied to obtain a gradient in species proportions and evenness. The exchange rates of NO, CH, NH and CO were measured, together with forage yield and soil inorganic N content. We conducted gas measurements 4 years after sward establishment during the expected period of highest emissions. Results: Results support the hypothesis that emission rates are affected by plant diversity. Sown evenness was found to decrease NO exchange rates, and some evidence was found for a similar negative effect on CH. Plant composition affected gas exchanges, with legume monocultures showing the highest emission rates for all gases. Diversity also increased yield and modulated NO and NH soil concentrations. Conclusions: The integrated analysis of yield and emission response to species diversity allows the identification of a range of species proportions for which both functions are optimized. Diversifying forage legume-based systems could contribute to mitigation while improving ecosystem productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]