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Background and aims <p>Plant aboveground biomass production usually responds more strongly to rainfall addition than to reduction, however, whether plant diversity respond asymmetrically to rainfall addition versus reduction remains unclear. We aimed to assess the response patterns of grassland biomass and diversity to rainfall changes globally.</p> Methods <p>We conducted a global meta-analysis of 1,210 measurements from 169 grasslands field experiments on rainfall addition (R +) and reduction (R −).</p> Results <p>Aboveground biomass increased by 0.72% per 1% R + but decreased by 0.48% per 1% R − , showing asymmetrical sensitivity, particularly in drylands. Soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) was the primary and positive regulator, amplifying biomass gains under R + . Conversely, species richness responded symmetrically to rainfall changes (0.12% increase per 1% R + vs. 0.13% decrease per 1% R − , with no significant difference between R + and R −). Mean annual precipitation (MAP) emerged as the dominant regulator, with sensitivity of species richness decreasing as MAP increases.</p> Conclusion <p>Greater CEC suggests greater soil nutrient availability, thus biomass asymmetry reflects the synergy between soil nutrient and R + . Plant diversity symmetry highlights the overriding role of precipitation in governing species richness responses to both R + and R − . These insights advance predicting grasslands forage production, economic benefit and climate adaptation amid increasing precipitation variability.</p>

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Symmetrical response of plant diversity but asymmetrical response of biomass production to rainfall reduction and addition in global grasslands

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月7日

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  • Ge Li,
  • Xu-Long Zhang,
  • Josep Peñuelas,
  • Jordi Sardans,
  • Ying Zhao,
  • Yan Yu,
  • Jian-Sheng Ye

摘要

Background and aims

Plant aboveground biomass production usually responds more strongly to rainfall addition than to reduction, however, whether plant diversity respond asymmetrically to rainfall addition versus reduction remains unclear. We aimed to assess the response patterns of grassland biomass and diversity to rainfall changes globally.

Methods

We conducted a global meta-analysis of 1,210 measurements from 169 grasslands field experiments on rainfall addition (R +) and reduction (R −).

Results

Aboveground biomass increased by 0.72% per 1% R + but decreased by 0.48% per 1% R − , showing asymmetrical sensitivity, particularly in drylands. Soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) was the primary and positive regulator, amplifying biomass gains under R + . Conversely, species richness responded symmetrically to rainfall changes (0.12% increase per 1% R + vs. 0.13% decrease per 1% R − , with no significant difference between R + and R −). Mean annual precipitation (MAP) emerged as the dominant regulator, with sensitivity of species richness decreasing as MAP increases.

Conclusion

Greater CEC suggests greater soil nutrient availability, thus biomass asymmetry reflects the synergy between soil nutrient and R + . Plant diversity symmetry highlights the overriding role of precipitation in governing species richness responses to both R + and R − . These insights advance predicting grasslands forage production, economic benefit and climate adaptation amid increasing precipitation variability.