Abstract
The potential interactive effects of future atmospheric CO 2 concentrations and plant diversity loss on the functioning of belowground systems are still poorly understood. Using a microcosm greenhouse approach with assembled grassland plant communities of different diversity (1, 4 and 8 species), we explored the interactive effects between plant species richness and elevated CO 2 (ambient and +200 p.p.m.v. CO 2) on earthworms ( Lumbricus terrestris) and microbial biomass. We hypothesised that the beneficial effect of increasing plant species richness on earthworm performance and microbial biomass would be modified by elevated CO 2 through impacts on belowground organic matter inputs, soil water availability and nitrogen availability. We found higher earthworm biomass in the 8-species mixtures under elevated CO 2, and higher microbial biomass under elevated CO 2 in the 4 and 8-species mixtures where earthworms were present. The results suggest that plant driven changes in belowground organic matter inputs, soil water availability and nitrogen availability explain the interactive effects of CO 2 and plant diversity on the belowground compartment. The interacting mechanisms by which elevated CO 2 modified the impact of plant diversity on earthworms and microorganisms are discussed.
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