Tree community composition stabilizes ecosystem functions in response to drought

Abstract In summer 2018, Central Europe was hit by an extreme drought event that widely impacted ecosystems and markedly increased tree mortality in forest across the continent. As climate models predict increase frequency severity of such events, there is urgent need to adapt forests order maintain diverse benefits they provide. Soil processes play essential role this context are key for a plethora terrestrial ecosystem functions, but strongly dependent on water availability. Here, we investigated how species richness (TSR), composition, identity 13‐year‐old temperate diversity experiment influenced selected functions (as important representatives different processes) during 2018 drought. We focused stability soil microbial biomass standard litter decomposition, as well species‐specific rates. Contrary our expectations, TSR did not generally resistance or decrease However, these determined community composition. For both (microbial decomposition), found effects depended presence certain species. Moreover, performance specific monoculture, Norway spruce, poor predictor its response mixtures. Taken together, results study demonstrate composition stands determines under This indicates enhancing multiple environmental disturbance requires maintaining forests.