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The Jena Experiment is a DFG-funded Research Unit (FOR 5000) that builds on a long history of biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF) research (FOR 456; FOR 1451). Despite broad consensus of the positive BEF relationship, the underlying ecological and evolutionary mechanisms have not been well understood. The Jena Experiment aims at filling this gap of knowledge by applying novel experimental and analytical approaches in one of the longest-running biodiversity experiments in the world (running since 2002). The central aim of the Research Unit is to uncover the mechanisms that determine BEF relationships in the short- and in the long-term.
News
New publication from Roscher in NeoBiota: Competitive superiority of non-native invaders becomes weaker when plant diversity increases – a case study with Solidago species September 11, 2025 1:28pm - Two popular hypotheses in invasion biology are the “inherent superiority hypothesis”, stating that non-native species… 
New publication from Bachmann et al. in Ecology and Evolution: Traits of the leaf economics spectrum do not always relate to species biomass proportions in grassland communities of varying diversity September 11, 2025 1:08pm - Traits of the “leaf economics spectrum” (LES) relate to a functional trade-off between slow and… 
Jäthelfer (w/m/d) gesucht vom 06.10. – 19.10.2025 July 28, 2025 10:33am - #English version below# Ihr interessiert euch für Pflanzen und arbeitet gerne draußen? Wir brauchen Hilfe… 
New publication from Angst et al. in Nature Communications: Un(der)explored links between plant diversity and particulate and mineralassociated organic matter in soil July 8, 2025 7:37am - Plant diversity can alter soil carbon stocks, but the effects are difficult to predict due… 
New publication from Amyntas et al. in Journal of Animal Ecology: Shared community history strengthens plant diversity effects on below-ground multitrophic functioning March 23, 2025 2:15pm - The relationship of plant diversity and several ecosystem functions strengthens over time. This suggests that… 
New publication from De Giorgi et al. in Ecology and Evolution: Selection and Phenotypic Plasticity Shape Plant Performance in a Grassland Biodiversity Experiment March 19, 2025 12:53pm - The increasing strength of positive biodiversity effects on plant community productivity, observed in long-term biodiversity…
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