1：Experimental Design and Method Selection:

The study utilized terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to estimate productivity through bi-weekly estimates of high-resolution canopy height over two years in a grassland diversity experiment. The experiment manipulated plant trait composition and species richness to investigate the effects of functional diversity, functional identity, and species richness on aboveground biomass.

2：Sample Selection and Data Sources:

The study was conducted within the Trait-Based Biodiversity Experiment (TBE) at the field site of the Jena Experiment, manipulating trait diversity of plant communities and plant species richness using a subset of 48 non-legume species.

3：List of Experimental Equipment and Materials:

A terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) Faro Focus 3D X330 was used for data acquisition. The laser scanner measures the distance between the surface of an object and the scanner, producing a point cloud image of the surface of the grassland vegetation.

4：Experimental Procedures and Operational Workflow:

The TLS was mounted upside-down on a tripod elevated 3.35 m above soil level. Scans were conducted biweekly from April to September in 2014 and 2015. Data processing included transforming point clouds into XYZ coordinates, applying filters to reduce errors, and classifying points for ground and vegetation.

5：35 m above soil level. Scans were conducted biweekly from April to September in 2014 and Data processing included transforming point clouds into XYZ coordinates, applying filters to reduce errors, and classifying points for ground and vegetation. Data Analysis Methods:

5. Data Analysis Methods: Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine the relationship of diversity and mean height (as a proxy for community aboveground biomass) using TLS measurements obtained on 12 dates throughout the growing season. The models included functional dispersion, functional identity, and species richness as predictors.