The decision to establish a network of researchers centers on identifying shared research goals. Ecologically specific regions, such as the USA’s National Ecological Observatory Network’s (NEON’s) eco-climatic domains, are ideal locations by which to assemble researchers with a diverse range of expertise but focused on the same set of ecological challenges. The recently established Great Lakes User Group (GLUG) is NEON’s first...

Organic N (oN, e.g., amino acids) is an important N-resource for plants in soils replete with oN but not inorganic N (iN; i.e., NH 4 + and NO 3 − ), such as cold ecosystems with temperature-limited soil decomposition rates. However, sub-Antarctic literature assumes that plants only acquire iN, potentially underestimating plant-available N. We hypothesised that Marion Island (− 46.90°, 37.75°) grasses ( Polypogon magellanicus,...

Aim The variability in regional species richness is determined by the balance between speciation, extinction, and migration, but the underlying causes of high species richness in some regions (e.g. tropics, Mediterranean ecosystems) are challenging to explain. Species richness variability may be amplified by biotic feedbacks that promote species richness in some areas, while decreasing elsewhere. Following the example of speci...

Islands of fertility associated with tree/shrub patches in arid grasslands create spatial heterogeneity of soil nutrients. Faunal activities under these trees/shrubs may contribute to diverse characteristics of these fertile patches of soil due to different faecal inputs. This study used the tree islands of fertility (TIFs) created by camelthorn ( Vachellia erioloba ) and shepherd trees ( Boscia albitrunca ) and these species...

Aim Given the importance of environmental heterogeneity as a driver of species richness through its effects on species diversification and coexistence, we asked whether the dramatic difference in species richness per unit area between two similar Mediterranean‐type biodiversity hotspots is explained by differences in environmental heterogeneity. Location The Greater Cape Floristic Region, South Africa (GCFR) and Southwest Aust...

Aim Biomes are defined according to the growth forms of their dominant species but also contrast in floristic composition. Biome boundaries thus represent areas of taxonomic turnover. The degree of turnover is dependent on the difference in environmental conditions between biomes and the ability of lineages to evolve adaptive traits. Open‐ and closed‐canopy biomes differ in structure, disturbance and resource availability. We...

Aim Relatively few models of species richness explicitly consider aspects of environmental heterogeneity, other than topographic heterogeneity. We hypothesized that environmental heterogeneity is an important determinant of species richness, especially in ancient climatically stable environments. Location South Africa, which accommodates a range of biomes that differ strongly in species richness. Methods We included measures o...

Extreme droughts, heat waves, frosts, precipitation, wind storms and other climate extremes may impact the structure, composition and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, and thus carbon cycling and its feedbacks to the climate system. Yet, the interconnected avenues through which climate extremes drive ecological and physiological processes and alter the carbon balance are poorly understood. Here, we review the literature o...