MODELING DROUGHT-INDUCED PLANT COMMUNITY VARIATION: THE PCVD APPROACH

Abstract

Plant communities exhibit varying capacities to withstand drought conditions, a trait intrinsically tied to species diversity. Empirical evidence highlights that communities boasting four or more species demonstrate superior resilience to drought compared to monocultures. This underscores the significance of localized biodiversity in bolstering a community's drought tolerance. Yet, the critical threshold of diversity required for such benefits remains undetermined. Furthermore, the dynamic relationship between species number and this phenomenon remains unclear. These inquiries form pivotal research junctures, holding the potential to guide species conservation efforts and secure the enduring vitality of plant communities. This comprehension of diverse species' responses to environmental stressors serves as an invaluable compass for human-nature interactions