DataNetwork.xlsx

Network and environmental data for BIOCOM global dataset<br

B. pinnatum and E. repens hypervolume calculation

1. Trait intraspecific variability determines community dynamics and species coexistence. In response to competition, plants can display intraspecific variability to enhance its competitive ability or stabilize its niche differences with their competitors. This response is multidimensional because it involves changes along different functional axes and inevitable trade-offs between traits. Here, we transposed the recent concept of the multidimensional trait space to the analysis of intraspecific plant response to competition. We specifically tested the following: (1) in the absence of competitors, the plant multidimensional trait space will be packed towards strategies promoting plant colonisation, and (2) with competitors, the plant multidimensional trait space will be directed towards competition with its size and shaping characteristics dependent on competitor species richness.<br><br>2. We studied trait intraspecific variability of two clonal species, Brachypodium pinnatum (L.) P. Beauv. and Elytrigia repens (L.) Gould, in response to competition. We analysed plant response in the absence of competitors and in competition. Competition treatments included intraspecific and interspecific experimental mixtures with increasing species richness. For each target species and each treatment, we built an hypervolume based on six traits involved in the three-dimensional competition (i.e. ramet and connection traits). We measured these hypervolumes for their size, similarity and the contribution of traits in their shaping.<br><br>3. In the absence of competitors and for both species, we demonstrated a multidimensional trait space packing towards a colonisation strategy. Under competition, the multidimensional trait spaces of the two target species were the widest at the extremes of the richness gradient, i.e., intraspecific and interspecific high richness competition treatments. High intraspecific variability either promoted niche differentiation for individuals of similar species or reflected the large range of competitive responses deployed when plants were faced with many different competitor identities. The multidimensional response process was based on fine adjustments of various traits depending on the surrounding neighbourhood composition and more specifically, on the competitor abundances and functional similarity with the target species.<br><br>4. This study emphasised the multidimensionality of species competitive response, and also underlined the so far neglected importance of competitor species richness for trait intraspecific variability and subsequently community assembly.<br><br

Data_FWB.xlsx

   We focused on the macrophyte communities living in particular freshwater ecosystems i.e. the ponds of the Iles Kerguelen, in the sub-Antarctic region. This model of freshwater ecosystem is especially abiotically constrained (cold climate), and its plant communities are remarkably species-poor, simplifying the study of plant-plant interactions. Specifically, we measured several abiotic variables of the ponds as well as species spatial patterns, interspecific interactions using the Log Response Ratio metric, and the functional composition of the community using aerial, root and clonal traits. We also determined the biomass of the whole macrophyte community.</p

Data and R code from "Grazing and ecosystem service delivery in global drylands"

There are two zip files with the data and R scripts used in the article "Grazing and ecosystem service delivery in global drylands". The file "Main_Data_code.zip" contains the data and R code used in the main analyses of the paper. These data also include the location and major environmental characteristics of the plots surveyed. The file "Livestock_data_code.zip" contains the data and R code used in the characterization and validation of grazing pressure levels (see Methods). Readme and metadata files including a description of the files, variables and units are provided. All the methodological details can be found in the article. Additional authors from the BIODESERT consortium not included in the author list (we reached the maximum number of authors allowed by figshare) include:  Víctor Rolo, Juan G. Rubalcaba, Jan C. Ruppert, Ayman Salah, Max A. Schuchardt, Sedona Spann, Ilan Stavi, Colton R. A.Stephens, Anthony M. Swemmer, Alberto L. Teixido, Andrew D. Thomas, Heather L. Throop, Katja Tielbörger, Samantha Travers, James Val, Orsolya Valkó, Liesbeth van den Brink, Sergio Velasco Ayuso, Frederike Velbert, Wanyoike Wamiti, Deli Wang, Lixin Wang, Glenda M. Wardle, Laura Yahdjian, Eli Zaady, Yuanming Zhang and Xiaobing Zhou </p