In 2009, a study published in Science (DOI: 10.1126/science.1169640) investigated the impact of eutrophication on plant biodiversity in grasslands. The research, led by Yann Hautier, Pascal A. Niklaus, and Andy Hector, found that eutrophication, which increases nutrient availability, leads to a loss of plant species diversity. The study demonstrated that competition for light is a major mechanism behind this biodiversity loss. When additional light was provided to the understory of fertilized grassland communities, it prevented the loss of biodiversity, suggesting that competition for light, rather than competition for soil resources, is the primary driver of species loss following eutrophication. The study used a controlled experiment with 32 plant communities, each containing six species, pre-grown in the field for four years. These communities were then moved to a greenhouse where they were subjected to different treatments: control (no fertilizer or light), fertilization (only fertilizer), light (only supplementary light), and fertilization plus light. The results showed that fertilization increased aboveground biomass but reduced species diversity, particularly of low-statured perennial grasses and forbs. However, when additional light was provided to the understory, it compensated for the reduced light availability, maintaining species diversity. The study also found that the loss of species was mainly due to reduced colonization of low-growing species, rather than the exclusion of established species. Additionally, the results indicated that belowground competition did not play a significant role in the loss of biodiversity. The findings support the hypothesis that increased competition for light is the main mechanism of plant diversity loss following eutrophication. The study emphasizes the need to control nutrient enrichment to preserve plant diversity and highlights the importance of managing grassland ecosystems to prevent biodiversity loss.In 2009, a study published in Science (DOI: 10.1126/science.1169640) investigated the impact of eutrophication on plant biodiversity in grasslands. The research, led by Yann Hautier, Pascal A. Niklaus, and Andy Hector, found that eutrophication, which increases nutrient availability, leads to a loss of plant species diversity. The study demonstrated that competition for light is a major mechanism behind this biodiversity loss. When additional light was provided to the understory of fertilized grassland communities, it prevented the loss of biodiversity, suggesting that competition for light, rather than competition for soil resources, is the primary driver of species loss following eutrophication. The study used a controlled experiment with 32 plant communities, each containing six species, pre-grown in the field for four years. These communities were then moved to a greenhouse where they were subjected to different treatments: control (no fertilizer or light), fertilization (only fertilizer), light (only supplementary light), and fertilization plus light. The results showed that fertilization increased aboveground biomass but reduced species diversity, particularly of low-statured perennial grasses and forbs. However, when additional light was provided to the understory, it compensated for the reduced light availability, maintaining species diversity. The study also found that the loss of species was mainly due to reduced colonization of low-growing species, rather than the exclusion of established species. Additionally, the results indicated that belowground competition did not play a significant role in the loss of biodiversity. The findings support the hypothesis that increased competition for light is the main mechanism of plant diversity loss following eutrophication. The study emphasizes the need to control nutrient enrichment to preserve plant diversity and highlights the importance of managing grassland ecosystems to prevent biodiversity loss.