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Despite experimental and observational studies demonstrating that biodiversity enhances primary productivity, the best metric for predicting productivity at broad geographic extents—functional trait diversity, phylogenetic diversity, or species richness—remains unknown. Using >1.8 million tree measurements from across eastern US forests, we quantified relationships among functional trait diversity, phylogenetic diversity, species richness, and productivity. Surprisingly, functional trait and phylogenetic diversity explained little variation in productivity that could not be explained by tree species richness. This result was consistent across the entire eastern United States, within ecoprovinces, and within data subsets that controlled for biomass or stand age. Metrics of functional trait and phylogenetic diversity that were independent of species richness were negatively correlated with productivity. This last result suggests that processes that determine species sorting and packing are likely important for the relationships between productivity and biodiversity. This result also demonstrates the potential confusion that can arise when interdependencies among different diversity metrics are ignored. Our findings show the value of species richness as a predictive tool and highlight gaps in knowledge about linkages between functional diversity and ecosystem functioning.
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This content will become publicly available on April 1, 2026
Three‐Dimensional Habitat Structure Drives Avian Functional and Trait Diversity Across North America
ABSTRACT Understanding how three‐dimensional (3D) habitat structure drives biodiversity patterns is key to predicting how habitat alteration and loss will affect species and community‐level patterns in the future. To date, few studies have contrasted the effects of 3D habitat composition with those of 3D habitat configuration on biodiversity, with existing investigations often limited to measures of taxonomic diversity (i.e., species richness). Here, we examined the influence of Light Detecting and Ranging (LiDAR)‐derived 3D habitat structure–both its composition and configuration–on multiple facets of bird diversity. Specifically, we used data from the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) to test the associations between 11 measures of 3D habitat structure and avian species richness, functional and trait diversity, and phylogenetic diversity. We found that 3D habitat structure was the most consistent predictor of avian functional and trait diversity, with little to no effect on species richness or phylogenetic diversity. Functional diversity and individual trait characteristics were strongly associated with both 3D habitat composition and configuration, but the magnitude and the direction of the effects varied across the canopy, subcanopy, midstory, and understory vertical strata. Our findings suggest that 3D habitat structure influences avian diversity through its effects on traits. By examining the effects of multiple aspects of habitat structure on multiple facets of avian diversity, we provide a broader framework for future investigations on habitat structure.
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- PAR ID:
- 10607918
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Ecology and Evolution
- Volume:
- 15
- Issue:
- 4
- ISSN:
- 2045-7758
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- e70988
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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