Tilman and colleagues showed that the more plant species in a prairie, the less nitrate in the rooting zone. The proposed mechanism was

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Species complementarity is the proposed mechanism because different plant species utilize nutrients, including nitrate, in different ways and at different times, leading to more efficient overall use of nutrients and thus less nitrate remaining in the soil.

Tilman and Colleagues Showed That the More Plant Species in a Prairie