Traits of dominant plant species drive normalized difference vegetation index in grasslands globally

Aim Theoretical, experimental and observational studies have shown that biodiversity–ecosystem functioning (BEF) relationships are influenced by functional community structure through two mutually non-exclusive mechanisms: (1) the dominance effect (which relates to traits of dominant species); (2) niche partitioning [which diversity (FD)]. Although both mechanisms been studied in plant communities experiments at small spatial extents, it remains unclear whether evidence from small-extent case translates into a generalizable macroecological pattern. Here, we evaluate effects simultaneously grassland systems world-wide. Location Two thousand nine hundred forty-one plots globally. Time period 2000–2014. Major taxa Vascular plants. Methods We obtained plot-based data on global vegetation plot database “sPlot”, which combines species composition with trait “TRY” database. used community-weighted mean (CWM) FD for 18 ecologically relevant traits. As an indicator primary productivity, extracted satellite-derived normalized difference index (NDVI) MODIS. Using generalized additive models deviation partitioning, estimated contributions CWM variation annual maximum NDVI, while controlling climatic variables structure. Results Grassland dominated relatively tall acquisitive had higher NDVI values, suggesting prevalence BEF relationships. found no support analysed, because remained unaffected FD. Most predictive power was shared predictors coordinates. This highlights importance assembly processes natural communities. Main conclusions Our analysis provides empirical patterns productivity linked resource economics size species. is important test hypotheses underlying scale.