植被恢复的生态效应研究进展

植被在水土保持、水源涵养及生态系统的固碳过程中起着重要的作用。植被恢复是指运用生态学原理,通过保护现有植被、封山育林或营造人工林、灌、草植被,修复或重建被毁坏或被破坏的森林和其他自然生态系统,恢复其生物多样性及其生态系统功能。目前,植被的自然及人工恢复是改善脆弱生态系统及退化生态系统生态环境现状最有效的措施。植被在恢复过程中对地上植被生态系统,物种多样性的恢复有着重要影响,同时通过凋落物及根系的输入,可以有效改善地下生态系统,增加土壤的养分含量、改善土壤的物理结构、增加土壤生物的生物量及活性。文章以地上及地下生态系统为出发点,综述了植被恢复过程中自然及人工恢复过程中不同的植被类型、不同的恢复时间下植物物种组成和多样性、土壤理化性质及土壤微生物群落的变化。植被的自然及人工恢复在一定程度上均能增加植物物种的多样性,随着恢复年限的增加物种的组成发生改变且多样性呈增加趋势,但一些特殊环境下不当的人工恢复可造成植被演替向退化方向发展,降低生物多样性。不同的植被类型由于其生长方式的不同对土壤理化性质和土壤微生物的影响存在差异,随着恢复年限的增长,土壤理化指标及微生物学指标呈现先增加而后趋于平稳的状态。针对已有的研究进展,提出在未来的研究过程中,一方面应该增加更多的对比研究,对不同环境下,不同的恢复物种,不同的恢复方式进行更深入地探讨;另外一方面应增加不同尺度的研究,现有的研究多集中在样地尺度,未来应在更大尺度上进行分析;再者,地上及地下生态系统之间的相互关系及影响机理一直是土壤学科研究的热点,植被恢复过程中应增加更多该方面的机理研究。     

科尔沁沙地恢复过程中地上定植群落与土壤种子库特征及其关系研究

选择科尔沁沙地固定沙地、半流动沙地和流动沙地样地,研究沙地恢复过程中土壤种子库密度、组成及其与地上植被的关系。结果表明,(1)退化沙地恢复过程中,流动沙地、半流动沙地、固定沙地的土壤种子库平均密度(以单位面积有效种子数量表示,ind·m~(-2))分别为814、3 125和16 294 ind·m~(-2)。土壤种子库物种组成以一年生草本为主,多年生植物和灌木类所占的比例小。(2)地上定植群落与土壤种子库的变化趋势一致,地上定植群落的平均密度分别为68、242和673 plant·m~(-2)。地上定植群落物种组成也以一年生植物为主,但所占比例较土壤种子库有所下降。(3)不管是土壤种子库还是地上定植群落,Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数、均匀度指数和丰富度指数大小顺序均为:固定沙地半固定沙地流动沙地,土壤种子库物种多样性指数均大于地上植被。(4)地上植被与土壤种子库组成上的相似性系数在0.333~0.739之间,相似性系数较高。地上定植群落与土壤种子库密度存在显著的正相关关系。流动沙地、半流动沙地、固定沙地地上植被密度分别有36%、52%、60%的变异可归结为土壤种子库密度的变异。科尔沁沙地土壤种子库是地上植被自然恢复的重要物质基础,土壤种子库中的大量种子,在植被自然恢复中将发挥积极的作用。     

森林生态系统土壤真菌群落及其影响因素研究进展

真菌是全球生物多样性的重要组成部分,在森林生态系统功能中发挥着重要作用,通过共生-寄生的相互作用影响着动植物的群落结构。高通量测序技术(Roche FLX 454,Illumina MiSeq)的兴起,使得研究人员能够仔细构建真菌群落的生物地理格局和生态效应,极大地促进了人们对真菌功能特征、多样性的理解。文章综述了森林生态系统真菌群落的最新研究进展,分析了真菌群落多样性地理尺度上的变化趋势与驱动因素,并重点关注植被类型与真菌多样性的关系。研究结果发现,地理距离引起的森林类型的变化是影响真菌群落的主要因素之一。在森林生态系统中,海拔梯度的真菌群落多样性存在上升、下降、"单峰"、无显著变化4种模式,且不同森林类型的驱动因素也存在差异。森林土壤真菌群落组成和多样性受到各种土壤特征(pH、C/N)的影响,植被类型对真菌群落的影响方式也存在不确定性。在今后的研究过程中,有必要对较小尺度上真菌群落的分类和功能结构进行更多分析,探讨海拔梯度下优势植被多样性与真菌群落的关系。在植被类型复杂多样的森林生态系统中,对特异性树种、混交林以及林区(从土壤到植物圈)真菌群落的分类和功能结构进行进一步研究。此外,了解驱动元素循环的生物(人类、植物和土壤生物)以及调节其活动的环境条件(气候、土壤理化特性和地形),从而提高我们对真菌群落与生态系统功能的认识,利用功能基因探索真菌群落组成并探索生态系统功能之间的联系。     

天津市“城-郊-乡”样带土壤种子库特征分析

为了解天津市不同地理位置土壤种子库物种组成和群落结构的变化,沿天津市设置＂城区—城郊—远郊＂的生态样带,在6个典型样地选取20个样方进行土壤种子库的采样工作并进行萌发试验。结果表明：土壤种子库的密度、物种组成及群落结构差异性明显,除趋势对应分析后分异出典型的城市土壤种子库、城郊土壤种子库、远郊土壤种子库3种类型。从远郊到城区,土壤种子库的密度递增,相似性指数也递增,而物种丰富度却递减。相比远郊地区,城区、城郊区土壤种子库物种丰富度损失率分别为66.67%、45.23%。城区因城市化水平较高及频繁的人为干扰致使土壤种子库物种呈现匀质化特点,物种多为一年生的耐踩踏草本。城郊区的多样性指数、生态优势度指数、均匀度指数最低,但是种子库密度较大,物种丰富,萌发种子中木本植物可观,适合用于进行植被恢复的试验研究。     

火烧和植造桉林对南亚热带退化草坡土壤种子库的影响

对南亚热带典型火烧草坡迹地和人工造桉林后的退化草坡土壤种子库进行了取样调查,采用种子萌发试验研究了这些不同处理的土壤种子库特征,结果表明:(1)火烧处理对土壤种子库有显著影响,具体表现为种子库储量减小、物种种类减少、优势种组成单一、物种多样性指数和地上植被相似性系数低、土壤种子库物种组成与地上植被物种组成差异显著;(2)种植桉树对土壤种子库储量、物种生活型分布、土壤种子库物种组成与地上植被物种组成差异均没有影响,但能增加草本物种种类;(3)火烧并种植桉树对土壤种子库的影响与火烧处理结果一致,能使土壤种子库中优势物种种子密度增加,但不能增加草本种类在种子库中的密度.该研究表明采用火烧处理有利于南亚热带退化草坡植被恢复;采用种桉树的方法短期内植被恢复的效果不明显;退化草坡的植被恢复需要适度的人为干预与调控.     

土壤种子库研究的几个热点问题

土壤种子库是指存在于土壤表层凋落物和土壤中全部活性种子的总和。土壤中有活性的种子是植物群落的一部分,是新植株的来源。土壤种子库可以分为瞬时土壤种子库和持久土壤种子库。随着群落生态学的发展,土壤种子库的研究已经成为植物生态学重要的一部分,研究内容主要包括:(1)土壤种子库的组成和分布;(2)土壤种子库的动态;(3)地上植被与土壤种子库的关系;(4)干扰对土壤种子库的作用;(5)土壤种子库在生态恢复中的作用。文章在对目前土壤种子库的研究方法、主要研究内容方面总结的基础上,认为土壤种子库在合适的干扰作用下对退化生态系统的恢复以及植被更新发挥重要的作用,同时需进一步加强对这一过程中种子萌发、幼苗建立限制因素的研究。     

封育对科尔沁沙地植被恢复和土壤特性的影响

过度放牧是科尔沁地区土地沙化的主要原因之一,围栏封育可以有效的抑制牲畜对植被的破坏,促进沙地植被恢复,从而改善区域的生态环境。本研究以科尔沁沙地主要固沙植被——小叶锦鸡儿群落为对象,采用空间序列代替时间序列的方法,分析不同封育年限和自然放牧条件下小叶锦鸡儿群落的土壤种子库和地上植被特征、土壤理化性质和土壤水分动态,较系统地探讨了封育措施对沙地植被和土壤特性的影响。结果表明:①封育措施促使固沙植被区土壤种子库密度显著增加(P<0.05),封育2 a、6 a和12 a的土壤种子库密度分别提高了15.7%、482.5%和728.1%;土壤种子库的物种多样性和均匀度随着封育年限的增加而降低。②封育措施对沙地植被恢复具有显著的促进作用(P<0.05),封育6 a和12 a后植被密度分别提高了108.0%和239.3%,植物盖度分别提高了261.6%和271.6%;适度的封育年限(<6 a)可以提高群落的物种多样性,过长的封育年限(11 a)反而使物种多样性下降。③封育措施促使土壤表层(0-10 cm)的养分(有机质、全氮、碱解氮、全磷、速效磷、速效钾)含量有所提高,土壤含水量无显著变化(P>0.05)。     

土壤种子库植物种类组成与土壤采集地植被的关系

土壤种子库作为区域自然植被恢复的途径之一,在实际应用之前有许多课题需要研究,土壤种子库出芽植物组成与土壤采集地自然植被的关系就是一个需要弄清的问题。文章从土壤种子库的生态学意义出发,首次对森林表土作为城市自然植被恢复绿化手段的可能性进行了探讨。试验材料取自日本大阪府箕面市大阪国际文化公园都市建设地,选取面积为20m×20m的栓皮栎Quercusvariabilis群落,采集林下5cm厚森林表土;试验场地设在大阪府枚方市山田池公园的一隅荒地,共设置4个试验区,每个试验区7个试验处理,计28个试验小区。研究结果表明:土壤种子库植物种类组成与表土采集地的植被关联性较低,但与种子散布型关系密切;表土的不同铺撒厚度在木本植物出现的种类、出芽个体数、生存个体数等方面都表现出明显的差异性。     

施肥模式对砂姜黑土区土壤种子库影响的研究

通过对砂浆黑土区小麦-大豆轮作制地不同施肥模式的杂草土壤种子库（0～15 cm）进行调查,分析种子库的大小、组成、多样性等特征,探讨施肥模式与群落演替速率之间的关系。结果表明,施肥模式显著影响着土壤种子库的大小、组成、多样性、群落演替速率。土壤样品中共检出杂草种子18种,隶属于11科,且各处理优势种组成差异明显。种子库密度按NPK〉NP〉NK〉CK〉PK顺序依次递减且差异极显著（P〈0.01）。各处理物种组成不同,种数按CK〉NPK〉PK=NK〉NP顺序依次递减,群落均匀度指数按NP〉CK〉NK〉PK〉NPK顺序依次递减且差异显著（P〈0.05）,物种多样性指数按CK〉NP〉NK〉PK〉NPK顺序依次递减,群落优势度指数按NPK〉PK=NK〉CK〉NP顺序依次递减。我们初步认为适应与竞争机制影响土壤种子库的物种组成、密度的差异;施肥模式间土壤种子库的优势种变化尤为突出,引起均匀度的改变,导致施肥模式下土壤种子库多样性的差异。Whittaker指数按CK〈NPK〈PK=NK〈NP顺序依次增大,表明土壤种子库的群落演替速率依次加快,说明长期平衡施肥模式（NPK）对土壤种子库群落的影响明显小于PK、NP、NK施肥处理,群落结构较PK、NP、NK施肥处理更稳定。气候、取样时间、除草剂等因素导致年际间、种植季间的杂草土壤种子库特征差异明显。本研究认为长期平衡施肥既有利于作物的优质高产,也有利于农田土壤种子库群落的稳定,是建立合理、高效、稳定的农业生态系统以及取得良好的经济效益和生态效益的重要施肥方式。     

盐池封育草场土壤种子库特征及其与植被的关系

封育是退化草场恢复的重要措施之一,封育的效果在一定程度上取决于土壤中种子库的状况。以毛乌素沙地西南缘宁夏盐池县的退化草场为研究对象,采用相似性分析和排序方法对封育和未封育草场土壤种子库的特征及其与地上植被间关系进行了研究,结果表明无论封育区还是未封育区,土壤种子库中的种子主要分布于0～5cm的土层,6～15cm土层的种子数很少;封育区土壤种子库的物种丰富度大于未封育区,物种多样性则表现为H值较大,而D值较小,总体上看封育措施可以提高地上植被和土壤中种子的种类和数量,一些一年生植物、中生植物和盐生植物开始出现在地面或土壤种子库中。地上植被和土壤种子库间的相似性分析结果则表明相同措施同一土层间种子库中等相似,而不同土层间还是存在着一些差异。由于封育措施导致了植被样方的相似性较低,然而土壤种子库间的相似性仍然较高,两者间是否存在着一定程度的滞后效应有待于进一步研究。     

Canopy Seed Banks as Time Capsules of Biodiversity in Pasture-Remnant Tree Crowns

Abstract: Tropical pastures present multiple barriers to tree regeneration and restoration. Relict trees serve as “regeneration foci” because they ameliorate the soil microclimate and serve as safe spots for dispersers. Here, we describe another mechanism by which remnant trees may facilitate pasture regeneration: the presence of seed banks in the canopy soil that accumulates from decomposing epiphytes within the crowns of mature remnant trees in tropical cloud forest pastures. We compared seed banks of canopy soils (histosols derived from fallen leaves, fruits, flower, and twigs of host trees and epiphytes, dead bryophytes, bark, detritus, dead animals, and microorganisms, and dust that accumulate on trunks and the upper surfaces of large branches) in pastures, canopy soils in primary forest trees, and soil on the forest floor in Monteverde, Costa Rica. There were 5211 epiphytic and terrestrial plant seeds in the three habitats. All habitats were dominated by seeds in a relatively small number of plant families, most of which were primarily woody, animal pollinated, and animal dispersed. The density of seeds on the forest floor was greater than seed density in either pasture‐canopy or forest‐canopy soils; the latter two did not differ. Eight species in 44 families and 61 genera from all of the habitats were tallied. There were 37 species in the pasture‐canopy soil, 33 in the forest‐canopy soil, and 57 on the forest floor. Eleven species were common to all habitats. The mean species richness in the pasture canopy was significantly higher than the forest canopy (F =83.38; p < 0.02). Nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordination revealed that the communities were distinct. Greenhouse experiments verified that many of these seeds were viable, with 29 taxa germinating (23 taxa in pruned mats [mimic of exposed conditions] and 16 taxa in control mats [intact conditions]) within 2 months of observation. Nearly half the species that germinated were characteristic of primary forests (primary forest samples, 19%; pasture samples, 29%). This supports the idea that canopy seed banks of pasture trees can function as time capsules by providing propagules that are removed in both space and time from the primary forest. Their presence may enhance the ability of pastures to regenerate more quickly, reinforcing the importance of trees in agricultural settings.     

Soil vs. canopy seed storage and plant species coexistence in species-rich Australian shrublands

The fire-prone shrublands of southwestern Australia are renowned for their high plant species diversity and prominence of canopy seed storage (serotiny). We compared species richness, abundance, and life history attributes for soil and canopy seed banks in relation to extant vegetation among four sites with different substrate conditions and high species turnover (50-80%) to identify whether this unusual community-level organization of seed storage might contribute to maintenance of high species richness. Soil seed bank (SSB) densities were low to moderate (233-1435 seeds/m2) compared with densities for other Mediterranean-type vegetation and were lowest for sites with highest canopy seed bank (CSB) species richness and lowest nutrient availability, but not richness or abundance of resprouters. Annuals were infrequent in the lowest nutrient sites, but there was no evidence that small SSB size was due to low seed inputs or a trade-off between seed production/storage and seed size in response to low nutrient availability. Sorensen's similarity between SSB and extant vegetation was 26-43% but increased to 54-57% when the CSB was included, representing levels higher than reported for most other ecosystems. Resprouting species were well represented in both the SSB and CSB, and there was no evidence for lower seed production in resprouters than in non-sprouters overall. The SSB and CSB held no species in common and were characterized by markedly different seed dispersal attributes, with winged or small seeds in the CSB and seeds dispersed by ants, birds, and wind (though none with wings) in the SSB. There was no evidence of spatial differentiation in the distribution of seeds of SSB species between vegetated and open microsites that might facilitate species coexistence, but most woody non-sprouters showed aggregation at scales of 1-2 m, implying limited seed dispersal. High similarity between overall seed bank (SSB + CSB) and extant species composition, high number of resprouting species, and seed dispersal processes before (SSB) and after fire (CSB) leading to differential spatial aggregation of post-fire recruits from the two seed bank types may buffer species composition against rapid change and provide a mechanism for maintaining species coexistence at the local scale.     

Introduced Birds and the Fate of Hawaiian Rainforests

Abstract:  The Hawaiian Islands have lost nearly all their native seed dispersers, but have gained many frugivorous birds and fleshy-fruited plants through introductions. Introduced birds may not only aid invasions of exotic plants but also may be the sole dispersers of native plants. We assessed seed dispersal at the ecotone between native- and exotic-dominated forests and quantified bird diets, seed rain from defecated seeds, and plant distributions. Introduced birds were the primary dispersers of native seeds into exotic-dominated forests, which may have enabled six native understory plant species to become reestablished. Some native plant species are now as common in exotic forest understory as they are in native forest. Introduced birds also dispersed seeds of two exotic plants into native forest, but dispersal was localized or establishment minimal. Seed rain of bird-dispersed seeds was extensive in both forests, totaling 724 seeds of 9 native species and 2 exotics with over 85% of the seeds coming from native plants. Without suitable native dispersers, most common understory plants in Hawaiian rainforests now depend on introduced birds for dispersal, and these introduced species may actually facilitate perpetuation, and perhaps in some cases restoration, of native forests. We emphasize, however, that restoration of native forests by seed dispersal from introduced birds, as seen in this study, depends on the existence of native forests to provide a source of seeds and protection from the effects of ungulates. Our results further suggest that aggressive control of patches of non-native plants within otherwise native-dominated forests may be an important and effective conservation strategy.     

Effects of Growth Form and Functional Traits on Response of Woody Plants to Clearing and Fragmentation of Subtropical Rainforest

The conservation implications of large‐scale rainforest clearing and fragmentation on the persistence of functional and taxonomic diversity remain poorly understood. If traits represent adaptive strategies of plant species to particular circumstances, the expectation is that the effect of forest clearing and fragmentation will be affected by species functional traits, particularly those related to dispersal. We used species occurrence data for woody plants in 46 rainforest patches across 75,000 ha largely cleared of forest by the early 1900s to determine the combined effects of area reduction, fragmentation, and patch size on the taxonomic structure and functional diversity of subtropical rainforest. We compiled species trait values for leaf area, seed dry mass, wood density, and maximum height and calculated species niche breadths. Taxonomic structure, trait values (means, ranges), and the functional diversity of assemblages of climbing and free‐standing plants in remnant patches were quantified. Larger rainforest patches had higher species richness. Species in smaller patches were taxonomically less related than species in larger patches. Free‐standing plants had a high percentage of frugivore dispersed seeds; climbers had a high proportion of small wind‐dispersed seeds. Connections between the patchy spatial distribution of free‐standing species, larger seed sizes, and dispersal syndrome were weak. Assemblages of free‐standing plants in patches showed more taxonomic and spatial structuring than climbing plants. Smaller isolated patches retained relatively high functional diversity and similar taxonomic structure to larger tracts of forest despite lower species richness. The response of woody plants to clearing and fragmentation of subtropical rainforest differed between climbers and slow‐growing mature‐phase forest trees but not between climbers and pioneer trees. Quantifying taxonomic structure and functional diversity provides an improved basis for conservation planning and management by elucidating the effects of forest‐area reduction and fragmentation. Efectos de la Forma de Crecimiento y Atributos Funcionales en la Respuesta de Plantas Leñosas al Desmonte y Fragmentación de Bosque Lluvioso Subtropical     

Accelerating Forest Succession in a Fragmented Landscape: The Role of Birds and Perches

Previous research suggests that in highly fragmented forest landscapes ecological succession can be arrested by lack of seeds, but that seed deposition abundance and diversity of bird-dispersed plants can be enhanced by bird-attracting structures such as snags. Consequently, bird perches remain a potential tool for accelerating ecological succession and reforesting disturbed land. Consequently, in order to determine the effectiveness of bird perches in reclaiming forested landscapes, seed dispersal, seedbank storage, and recruitment of bird-dispersed plants was studied on a central Florida mined site with clay-rich soil undergoing primary succession over a seven-year period. Data collection included 20 continuous months of seed dispersal data, an analysis of the total and germinable seedbanks, and plant recruitment at one and two years after a fire destroyed perches and burnt vegetation. Seed dispersal to perches reached a peak seedfall by weight in August, which was attributable to nonmigratory birds. Myrica cerifera, the most abundant species dispersed to the sites, was the only species dispersed during the winter and spring months, and it may be a keystone species for the frugivorous bird guild in central Florida. Seedfall beneath perches had a higher diversity of seed genera, and seed numbers (340 seeds m⁻² yr⁻¹) were 150 times greater than in sites without perches. Seeds of bird-dispersed plants in the seedbank under perches numbered 77 ± 33 (m⁻²) in total and 17 ± 5 for the viable seedbank. The population density of bird-dispersed plants was 1.4 and 2.0 plants m⁻² at one and two years afler the fire. Less than 0.06% of the dispersed seeds survived to become seedlings. Species composition shifted from seedfall to seedlings, with small-seeded, early-successional (r-selected) shrubs and herbs becoming relatively more common than the desired large-seeded, late-successional (K-selected) tree species. Perches attracted birds and associated seeds, but the physically harsh conditions created by primary succession and/or high predation on seeds appeared to reduce the success of the desired late-successional plant species. Nonetheless, there was a higher abundance and diversity of bird-dispersed plants under perches, suggesting that perch structures have a limited ability to enhance plant diversity under conditions of primary succession.     

三江源区不同建植年代人工草地群落演替与土壤养分变化

研究了了三源区不同建植期人工修复草地在不同演替阶段毒杂草[主要是甘肃马先蒿(Pedicularis kansuensis)]的入侵规律、数量特征,植物群落物种组成、生物苗和草地质最以及土壤养分、微生物活性的变化规律.结果表明,不同建植期人工修复草地植物群落的种类组成、植物功能群组成和群落数量特征存在显著差异.随着演替时间的推移,人工草地群落盖度、高度、物种数、生物最和多样性指数均表现出"V"字型变化规律,杂类草--甘肃马先蒿的数量特征变化尤为明显,在4 a的人工草地群落中开始局部入侵,在5～6 a的人工草地群落中大面积入侵,其入侵速度、入侵面积达到高峰期.土壤的含水量、容重、土壤中有机质、氮素和磷素在演替过程(7 a、9 a草地)中逐渐降低,到一定时期又逐步增加;随着演替的进行,不同建植期人工草地的土壤微牛物生物量碳和酶活性均呈"V"字型,变化.对于退化生态系统的恢复首先是植被恢复,其次是土壤肥力的恢复.土壤有机质等养分的积累、微生物活性的改善不仅能使土壤-植物复合系统的功能得以恢复,同时也能促进物种多样性的形成,有利于人工草地群落稳定性的提高.在试验区尽管植被恢复演替进行得比较缓慢,但从土壤发展的角度看,仍属进展演替.所以,在退化高寒草甸的恢复过程中,若降低和有效控制外界的干扰(如围栏封育),可为退化草地恢复提供繁殖体与土壤环境,实现人工草地逐步向恢复(正向)演替进行.图3表6参34     

Effect of Edge Structure on the Flux of Species into Forest Interiors

Abstract: A key goal of conservation biology is to prevent the spread of exotic species. Previous work on exotic invasion has two limitations: (1) the lack of a spatially explicit approach and (2) a primary focus on the net effect of invasion by examining invasive species already present in the community. We address these limitations by focusing on the arrival of a potential invader into a community and use a spatially explicit approach to quantify the flow of seeds from the surrounding landscape into the interior of a forest. We hypothesize that the structure of forest-edge vegetation influences how the edge mediates seed flux. To test our hypothesis, we experimentally altered vegetation structure within 20 m of the edge to create two edge treatments: thinned and intact. We quantified the flux of seeds moving into the forest interior across the two treatments. We used seed traps randomly arrayed on transects from 5 to 50 m into the forest. More seeds crossed the thinned treatment than crossed the intact treatment to reach the forest interior. In addition, seeds that crossed the thinned treatment dispersed farther into the forest than those that crossed the intact treatment. These results were consistent throughout the period of maximum autumn dispersal, including periods before and after leaf drop. Our results show that the structure of vegetation on the edge interacts with the flux of wind-dispersed seed across the edge. We demonstrated that an edge with intact vegetation can function as a physical barrier to seed dispersal. Therefore, the structure of vegetation on edges can influence the function of edges as barriers to seed flux into the forest interior.     

Association between plant species diversity and edaphic factors in the lower reaches of the Heihe River,northwestern China

The lower reaches of the Heihe River, in northwestern China, is characterised by unique local edaphic conditions that have influenced the development of local desert riparian forests. This study examines the variations in spatial variation patterns to reveal the relationships between plant species diversity and soil moisture/salinity/texture gradients at different soil depths, providing insights into the management and restoration of vegetation in ecosystems in the study area. The species–environmental relationships are investigated by redundancy analysis based on the plant species diversity matrix and the edaphic gradient matrix. A survey of 61 sampling plots identified 37 plant species in the study area. The distribution pattern of the plant species diversity are mainly affected by soil moisture, soil salinity, and soil texture at different soil depths. These edaphic factors are able to explain 98.47% of the total variation in the analysed vegetation dataset. Soil moisture, salinity, and texture content vary in terms of both the soil depths and the vegetation types in the study area. The plant community Class IV, xeric shrub, has the lowest soil water content among different vegetation types. The surface soil salinity differs for different plants and follows the order: Sophora alopecurides?>?Tamarix chinensis?>?Populus euphratica.