High species diversity and biochar can mitigate drought effects in arid environments

The study indicated that high diversity and biochar resulted in: 1. species with 66.6% greater total biomass and a 3% reduction in RSR, 2. enhanced species performance, with plants growing 25% taller, 50% higher SLA, and 25% higher SRL, 3. more fertile soil, with SOC and STN increasing by 40% and 33.3%, respectively, and 4. improved microbial content, with Cmic rising by 15% and basal respiration increasing by one-third under drought conditions compared to monoculture. These results highlight the intricate interactions between climate change and biodiversity, which are crucial for predicting the impact of changes in functional composition on ecosystem processes and, subsequently, for restoring arid ecosystems in Oman.