A global synthesis reveals biodiversity loss as a major driver of ecosystem change , Nature Publishing Group

New study by: David U. Hooper, E. Carol Adair, Bradley J. Cardinale, Jarrett E. K. Byrnes, Bruce A. Hungate, Kristin L. Matulich, Andrew Gonzalez, J. Emmett Duffy, Lars Gamfeldt & Mary I. O’Connor

Nature (2012) doi:10.1038/nature11118

Received 09 January 2012 Accepted 13 April 2012 Published online 02 May 2012

Evidence is mounting that extinctions are altering key processes important to the productivity and sustainability of Earth’s ecosystems1^, 2^, 3^, 4. Further species loss will accelerate change in ecosystem processes5^, 6^, 7^, 8, but it is unclear how these effects compare to the direct effects of other forms of environmental change that are both driving diversity loss and altering ecosystem function.

To read more:

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature11118.html