Effects of heterogeneous habitats on community composition and niche characteristics of different plant populations in the desert steppe of China

Lin, 陈林 Chen; Jianing, 辛佳宁 Xin; Ying, 苏莹 Su; Yuefei, 李月飞 Li; Naiping, 宋乃平 Song; Lei, 王磊 Wang; Xinguo, 杨新国 Yang; Yingying, 卞莹莹 Bian; Na, 田娜 Tian

doi:10.5846/stxb201810182255

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…In fact, the niche occupation of resource space between two species was only in nitely close, so the overlap was only in nitely close to 1.00. This indicated that there was no direct linear relationship between niche breadth and niche overlap, which was caused by the heterogeneity of spatial distribution of environmental resources available to species (Chen et al, 2019). The TAO ih in the different altitude area was highest at the altitude of 145-155 m (0.3642), lower at 165-175 m (0.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Anti-seasonal flooding drive substantial alterations in riparian plant diversity and niche characteristics in a unique hydro-fluctuation zone

Li,

Yi,

Duan

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Human-induced disturbances such as dam construction and regulation often alter the duration，frequency and seasonality of flooding and thus substantially influence plant characteristics in the hydro-fluctuation zones. However, the effect mechanism of anti-seasonal hydrological alterations on vegetation distribution patterns and niche characteristics in the water level fluctuation zones (WLFZs).is still unclear. In this study, 368 quadrats were selected to investigate the effects of the anti-seasonal hydrological regimes on the foristic composition, species diversity and niche characteristic in the hydro-fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), a unique riparian ecosystem, China. The results showed that the number of species per square meter (S), the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H) and Simpson dominance index (D) of the plant guilds in the TGR increased significantly with elevation, which was inconsistent with humped diversity–disturbance relationship of the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, while the opposite trend was observed for the Pielou evenness index (E). The H, D, S and E from upstream to downstream firstly showed a significant increasing trend (p<0.05), reached the highest in the middle reaches, and then decreased in the lower reaches. The vegetation was classified into 12 guild types but the vegetation composition showed a significant variation with a transition from xerophytes to mesophytes and hygrophytes with the increasing flooding time. Cynodon dactylon was the most dominant species based on its highest important value and niche breadth. And high niche breadth had a high niche overlap between species. Therefore, anti-seasonal hydrological alterations precipitated substantial reduction of plant diversity, species competition and exclusion among species by expanding the niche in the guilds. The vegetation in the unique riparian ecosystems was still in the primary stage of plant community succession with low species diversity, high niche overlap, intense competition and obvious single-species dominant communities. Compared to total nitrogen, total phosphorus and soil organic matter factors, the hydrological alteration filtering was more important in explaining the plant guild patterns and niche characteristics. Therefore, there may be some differences in the governance strategies adopted in different areas of the novel riparian ecosystems for vegetation restoration efforts of the riparian forests.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Anti-seasonal flooding drive substantial alterations in riparian plant diversity and niche characteristics in a unique hydro-fluctuation zone

Li,

Yi,

Duan

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…The size of the species’ ecological niche width correlates positively with its adaptability to the environment ( Chen et al., 2019 ; Liu X. et al., 2019 ). Generally, species with broader ecological niches in a community often possess higher environmental resource utilization capabilities, allowing them to more effectively adapt to specific habitat conditions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Response of species dominance and niche of plant community to wetland degradation along alpine lake riparian

Wu,

Dong,

Wang

et al. 2024

Front. Plant Sci.

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Alpine wetland degradation threatens riparian biodiversity and ecological balance. Our study, conducted in July 2020 along the northern and eastern shores of Qinghai Lake, seeks to unravel the impacts of such degradation on plant species dominance and ecological niches, using advanced network analysis methods to explore the dynamics and survival strategies of plant species. We applied a space-to-time method to delineate three wetland degradation stage: a healthy swamp wetland, a slightly degraded wet meadow, and a degraded dry meadow. Six representative sampling points were chosen. At each point, three sample lines were randomly established, radiating outward from the center of the lake wetland, with each stage of degradation meticulously examined through three replicates to assess the plant communities in terms of species composition, plant height, coverage, and abundance. The results indicated: Species such as Kobresia tibetica and Leymus secalinus exhibit remarkable abundance across various stages of wetland degradation, indicating a robust tolerance to these conditions. This observation, coupled with the complexity of plant community structures in degrading wetlands, suggests that such intricacy cannot be solely attributed to the dominance of particular species. Instead, it is the result of a diverse array of species adapting to fluctuating water levels, which promotes increased species richness. Despite the prominence of species that exhibit rapid growth and reproduction, the ecological significance of less abundant species in contributing to the community’s complexity is also notable. Changes in habitat conditions due to wetland degradation facilitate both competitive and cooperative interactions among species, highlighting the dynamic nature of these ecosystems. Our analysis shows no significant linear relationship between the ecological niche overlap values and niche widths of plant species. However, the strategies employed by dominant species for competition and resource acquisition, as observed in the ecological niche overlap networks, underscore the adaptive capacity of plant communities. These insights underscore the need for tailored restoration strategies to conserve the biodiversity of alpine lake riparian ecosystems. This research not only sheds light on the resilience and adaptability of ecosystems in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau but also offers valuable lessons for the conservation of similar habitats worldwide. Our findings underscore the need for tailored restoration strategies to conserve the biodiversity of alpine lake riparian ecosystems. This research not only sheds light on the resilience and adaptability of ecosystems in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau but also offers valuable lessons for the conservation of similar habitats worldwide.

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“…For areas with limited precipitation gradients, habitat differences become key factors affecting soil water availability (Moeslund et al, 2013;. For example, Chen et al (2019) found that niche breadth of the same species varied across different habitats. Certain species that were dominant in one habitat were the auxiliary species in another, mainly due to the fact that different habitat conditions lead the same species to develop into different niches.…”

Section: Water Uptake Patterns At Different Communitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The plant species has strong adaptive characterizes that allow it to successfully invade and settle in different habitats. A. scoparia grows rapidly in rain, and has a high diffusion ability (Chen et al, 2019). Plant species with an "opportunistic" water use strategy depend heavily on shallow soil water (<40 cm) even in a drought period (Cristina et al, 2012).…”

Section: Water Uptake Patterns At Different Communitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water utilization of typical plant communities in desert steppe, China

et al. 2022

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Water is a limiting factor in the restoration and construction of desert steppe. Exploring plant water sources is necessary to understand soil-plant interactions and species coexistence; however, water sources of major plant communities within the desert steppe of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China remain poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed the water uptake of plants in four typical communities: Agropyron mongolicum Keng.; Sophora alopecuroids Linn.; Stipa breviflora Griseb., and Achnatherum splendens (Trin.) Nevski communities. Stable isotopes δD and δ 18 O in the xylem of plant and soil water at different soil depths were analyzed. An IsoSource model was used to determine the soil depths from which plants obtained water. Results showed that A. mongolicum community obtained water predominantly from 0-20 and 40-80 cm depth, S. alopecuroids community from 0-20 cm depth, S. breviflora community from 0-40 cm depth, and A. splendens community from 0-20 and 80-140 cm depths. S. alopecuroides had a wider range of soil depths for water extraction, i.e., utilizing different water sources depending on habitat, and the plasticity of its water uptake pattern determined its role in different communities. Water source of plants relayed heavily on the distribution of their roots. Competition for soil water exists between different plant life forms in the sierozem habitat (A. mongolicum, S. alopecuroids, and S. breviflora communities), and in the sandy soil habitat (A. splendens community). The use of soil water by A. splendens community is more spatially differentiated, and shrubs and herbs can coexist stably. Under the pattern of extended drought period in the future, sierozem habitat may be more favorable for the formation of a dominant monoculture community type of perennial fibrous plants. In aeolian sandy soil habitat, A. splendens had a strong competitive advantage, and the growth of shallow-rooted plants was easily suppressed.

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Effects of heterogeneous habitats on community composition and niche characteristics of different plant populations in the desert steppe of China

Cited by 5 publications

References 0 publications

Anti-seasonal flooding drive substantial alterations in riparian plant diversity and niche characteristics in a unique hydro-fluctuation zone

Anti-seasonal flooding drive substantial alterations in riparian plant diversity and niche characteristics in a unique hydro-fluctuation zone

Response of species dominance and niche of plant community to wetland degradation along alpine lake riparian

Water utilization of typical plant communities in desert steppe, China

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