Resource Supply and Disturbance as Controls over Present and Future Plant Diversity

Biodiversity at all levels from genetic diversity within species to habitat diversity of landscapes is certain to be altered by global changes in climate and land use. Increasing human use of the earth’s surface has already reduced genetic and species diversity through the extirpation of populations. Unfortunately, we have little theoretical basis from which to predict other causes or the ecological consequences of changes in diversity. Such a theoretical framework is an essential prerequisite of any practical program to maintain the biotic diversity of the globe.