The latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) is one of the most widely studied patterns in ecology,
yet no consensus has been reached about its underlying causes. We argue that the reasons …

Species richness is a fundamental measurement of community and regional diversity, and it
underlies many ecological models and conservation strategies. In spite of its importance …

Why do species live where they live? What determines the abundance and diversity of
species in a given area? What role do species play in the functioning of entire ecosystems …

In ecology, biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF) research has seen a shift in
perspective from taxonomy to function in the last two decades, with successful application of …

For more than 30 years, the relationship between net primary productivity and species
richness has generated intense debate in ecology about the processes regulating local …

Despite two centuries of exploration, our understanding of factors determining the
distribution of life on Earth is in many ways still in its infancy. Much of the disagreement …

Most of the earth's terrestrial species live in the soil. These organisms, which include many
thousands of species of fungi and nematodes, shape aboveground plant and animal life as …

Understanding the relationship between species richness and productivity is fundamental to
the management and preservation of biodiversity. Yet despite years of study and intense …

The evolution of natural ecosystems is controled by a high level of biodiversity, in sharp
contrast, intensive agricultural systems involve monocultures associated with high input of …

Microbial ecology is currently undergoing a revolution, with repercussions spreading
throughout microbiology, ecology and ecosystem science. The rapid accumulation of …