Topographic heterogeneity sets the stage for community assembly, but its effects on ecosystem functioning remain poorly understood. Here, we test the hypothesis that topographic heterogeneity underpins multiple cascading species interactions and functional pathways that indirectly control multifunctionality. To do so, we combined experimental manipulation of a form of topographic heterogeneity on rocky shores (holes of various sizes) with a comprehensive assessment of naturally assembled communities and multifunctionality. Structural equation modeling indicated that heterogeneity: (1) enhanced biodiversity by supporting filter feeder richness; (2) triggered a facilitation cascade via reef‐forming (polychaete) and biomass‐dominant (macroalga) foundation species, which in turn broadly supported functionally diverse epibiotic and understory assemblages; and (3) inhibited a key consumer (limpet). The model supported that these mechanisms exerted complementary positive effects on individual functions (e.g., water filtration, ecosystem metabolism, nutrient uptake) and, in turn, collectively enhanced multifunctionality. Topographic heterogeneity may therefore serve as a cornerstone physical attribute by initiating multiple cascades that propagate through ecological communities via foundation species, ultimately manifesting disproportionate effects on ecosystem multifunctionality.

中文翻译：

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地形异质性触发互补级联，增强生态系统多功能性


地形异质性为群落组装奠定了基础，但对其对生态系统功能的影响仍然知之甚少。在这里，我们检验了地形异质性支撑间接控制多功能性的多个级联物种相互作用和功能途径的假设。为此，我们将对岩石海岸（各种大小的洞）上的一种地形异质性的实验操作与对自然组装群落和多功能性的综合评估相结合。结构方程模型表明，异质性：（1） 通过支持滤食性饲养丰富的度来增强生物多样性;（2） 通过珊瑚礁形成 （多毛类） 和生物量主导 （大型藻类） 基础物种触发促进级联反应，这反过来又广泛支持功能多样化的附生和林下组合;（3） 抑制关键消费者 （Limpet）。该模型支持这些机制对各个功能（例如，水过滤、生态系统代谢、营养吸收）产生互补的积极影响，反过来，共同增强了多功能性。因此，地形异质性可能作为基石物理属性，通过启动多个级联，通过基础物种在生态群落中传播，最终对生态系统多功能性表现出不成比例的影响。