Multiscale drivers of ecosystem function under environmental change
Abstract
Ecosystem functions, including primary productivity, nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration, are shaped by a complex interplay of biotic and abiotic drivers operating across spatial and temporal scales. Environmental change—driven by climate variability, land-use alteration, pollution and biodiversity loss—modulates these drivers, with cascading effects on ecosystem resilience and service provision. This article synthesizes current understanding of the multiscale factors governing ecosystem function, emphasizing the roles of microbial networks, plant physiology, soil properties, hydrological regimes and anthropogenic influences. By integrating insights from molecular biology, landscape ecology and social-ecological systems, we provide a framework for predicting ecosystem responses under environmental stressors and inform strategies for sustainable management and conservation.