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Abstract The disruptive effects of tertiary species on otherwise positive pairwise species interactions (e.g. context-dependent parasitism in pollinator syndromes) is well-known. However, few—if any—studies have investigated how invasive plants affect interactions between facilitative plants and their native plant communities. Further, if tertiary invasive species can change interactions among native species from positive to negative, then a tertiary native should be capable of the same phenom for pairwise interactions between natives and invasives. Our previous research indicates invasive black mustard ( Brassica nigra ) changes interaction signs for otherwise positive species interactions between the dominant, native facilitator California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ) and its co-dominant beneficiary California sagebrush ( Artemisia californica ) in semi-arid California coastal sage scrub habitat. Here, E. fasciculatum and A. californica seedlings increased B. nigra shoot growth in pairwise species interactions in the greenhouse. However, in three-way species interactions, E. fasciculatum and A. californica together reduced B. nigra SLA, height, and reproductive potential while not increasing shoot DW. In three-way species interactions, B. nigra did not significantly reduce E. fasciculatum facilitation of A. californica . Also surprisingly, light competition with B. nigra resulted in an increase in A. californica height , which reduced the negative effects of A. californica light competition on shade-intolerant E. fasciculatum. In an additive field experiment, A. californica protected E. fasciculatum from facilitating germination and growth of B. nigra when water competition was minimized. Taken together, this study demonstrates the importance of studying species interactions between competitive, native perennials in the current ecological context of invaded ecosystems. 

Ecosystems are experiencing changing global patterns of mean annual precipitation (MAP) and enrichment with multiple nutrients that potentially colimit plant biomass production. In grasslands, mean aboveground plant biomass is closely related to MAP, but how this relationship changes after enrichment with multiple nutrients remains unclear. We hypothesized the global biomass–MAP relationship becomes steeper with an increasing number of added nutrients, with increases in steepness corresponding to the form of interaction among added nutrients and with increased mediation by changes in plant community diversity. We measured aboveground plant biomass production and species diversity in 71 grasslands on six continents representing the global span of grassland MAP, diversity, management, and soils. We fertilized all sites with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium with micronutrients in all combinations to identify which nutrients limited biomass at each site. As hypothesized, fertilizing with one, two, or three nutrients progressively steepened the global biomass–MAP relationship. The magnitude of the increase in steepness corresponded to whether sites were not limited by nitrogen or phosphorus, were limited by either one, or were colimited by both in additive, or synergistic forms. Unexpectedly, we found only weak evidence for mediation of biomass–MAP relationships by plant community diversity because relationships of species richness, evenness, and beta diversity to MAP and to biomass were weak or opposing. Site-level properties including baseline biomass production, soils, and management explained little variation in biomass–MAP relationships. These findings reveal multiple nutrient colimitation as a defining feature of the global grassland biomass–MAP relationship. 

Abstract Drylands cover 41% of the Earth's terrestrial surface, play a critical role in global ecosystem function, and are home to over two billion people. Like other biomes, drylands face increasing pressure from global change, but many of these ecosystems are close to tipping points, which, if crossed, can lead to abrupt transitions and persistent degraded states. Their limited but variable precipitation, low soil fertility, and low productivity have given rise to a perception that drylands are wastelands, needing societal intervention to bring value to them. Negative perceptions of drylands synergistically combine with conflicting sociocultural values regarding what constitutes a threat to these ecosystems. In the present article, we propose a framework for assessing threats to dryland ecosystems and suggest we must also combat the negative perceptions of drylands in order to preserve the ecosystem services that they offer. 

Summary Seasonal dynamics in the vertical distribution of leaf area index (LAI) may impact the seasonality of forest productivity in Amazonian forests. However, until recently, fine‐scale observations critical to revealing ecological mechanisms underlying these changes have been lacking.To investigate fine‐scale variation in leaf area with seasonality and drought we conducted monthly ground‐based LiDAR surveys over 4 yr at an Amazon forest site. We analysed temporal changes in vertically structuredLAIalong axes of both canopy height and light environments.Upper canopyLAIincreased during the dry season, whereas lower canopyLAIdecreased. The low canopy decrease was driven by highly illuminated leaves of smaller trees in gaps. By contrast, understoryLAIincreased concurrently with the upper canopy. Hence, tree phenological strategies were stratified by height and light environments. Trends were amplified during a 2015–2016 severe El Niño drought.Leaf area low in the canopy exhibited behaviour consistent with water limitation. Leaf loss from short trees in high light during drought may be associated with strategies to tolerate limited access to deep soil water and stressful leaf environments. Vertically and environmentally structured phenological processes suggest a critical role of canopy structural heterogeneity in seasonal changes in Amazon ecosystem function.