Use the following to answer questions :
Refer to the graphs below showing data from the studies of David Tilman and colleagues on the effect of species diversity on net primary productivity in prairie ecosystems.
-Based on the data in the two graphs,how can the effects of species richness and number of functional groups (niches)on NPP best be described?

Question

Use the following to answer questions :
Refer to the graphs below showing data from the studies of David Tilman and colleagues on the effect of species diversity on net primary productivity in prairie ecosystems. 
-Based on the data in the two graphs,how can the effects of species richness and number of functional groups (niches)on NPP best be described?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The data in the graphs show that an increase in the number of niches (functional groups) has a greater effect on increasing NPP than an increase in species richness alone. The highest NPP is seen when there are multiple functional groups present, even with a lower species richness. This suggests that the number of niches and the associated functional diversity are key factors in driving NPP in prairie ecosystems.

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