Effects of grazing abandonment on functional and taxonomic diversity of Mediterranean grasslands

This paper analyses changes in species richness and functional trait diversity in response to grazing abandonment in Mediterranean grasslands, for five traits that are well connected to ecosystem function and community assembly: Plant Height, Specific Leaf Area, Seed Mass, Onset of Flowering and Growth Form. The impacts of land-use change on floristic composition and community weighted traits were measured along with soil fertility, bare soil cover and litter cover. Results reveal changes in the community average value of all analysed plant functional traits and a loss of functional diversity after abandonment in two of them, which is not accompanied by a change in species richness, indicating a loss of functional groups and a potential effect on the ecosystem functioning.