The diversity of plant species is essential

Scientists at Iowa State University, USA, have discovered that a variety of different plant species is needed. Most plants have played a role in promoting the ecosystem for at least a few years, in different areas and environmental conditions. Meanwhile, in some areas, up to 84% of weed species play an important role in maintaining ecological balance.

Brian Wilsey

From plants that make people sneeze, to thorny seeds stick to clothes . there are many different types of plants in grassland areas around the world.

Associate Professor Brian Wilsey and Associate Professor Stanley Harpole, work at the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Variable Research in Biological Cell Composition, Iowa State University, USA is co-author of the study. .

The results of the study were published in Nature , the August 12, 2011 issue. The main author of the study is, Forest Isbell, a former student of Wilsey and currently working at McGill University, Canada.

Years ago, Wilsey said that "under any circumstance, only about 27% of plant species are considered important ," the results of previous studies have shown that there exists a quantity. Small plants play a really important role for the ecosystem , or there is little reason to worry if the grasslands lose different plant species and diversity will decrease, Wilsey said.

However, as a result of new research, the diversity of many different plant species is essential for preserving the balance of the ecosystem. If you are tracking any location within a year in a particular area, you can say that species A or species B is really important, Wilsey said.

" However, what we have found is that if you do the analysis for years, in different environmental contexts, the variety of different plant species has become very important. This really connects all plants together . "

Isbell and other authors look at data from 17 grasslands studied around the world, including two grasslands made in Iowa, in Loess Hills, at Western Research Farms and other pastures. Made in Texas, by the group of Cheap.

" In the context of many different plants becoming really important ," according to Wilsey. " For example, certain plant species become important when they grow in the east, facing the mountainside. While other important plants face the slope to the west. Very important things on the grazing land because they help the grass recover quickly, while some other plants absorb Nitrogen gas, and keep Nitrogen in the body. "

This research may be even more valuable when researchers look to the future. Wilsey said that some plants are more resistant to changes in precipitation and the increase in atmospheric CO2.

" The results of the study show that the diversity of plant species is essential, helping to maintain the ecological balance in an ever-changing world, " Wilsey added. " This study shows a very important role and our own responsibility in preserving the diversity of plant species ."