By using a combination of plant
species, managers have the ability to
attain the most desirable suite of functions,
which single species cannot provide
alone. However, the effects of
species combinations on ecosystem
functions often cannot be predicted
based on the individual effects of the
component species. Species alter one
another’s growth and traits, as well as
soil conditions, so that plant combinations
can have unexpected effects on
services such as nitrogen fixation,
leaching, decomposition and nitrogen
cycling.