Distribution patterns of alpine flora for long-term monitoring of global change along a wide elevational gradient in the Western Himalayas

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 48, P. e02702 - e02702

Published: Oct. 23, 2023

In the current context of climate change, Western Himalayas are thought to be warming faster than global average rate. Despite this rapid warming, our understanding alpine vegetation composition and underlying factors shaping its patterns in Himalayan highlands Pakistan remains limited. Extensive field sampling was conducted at 24 sites ranging altitude from 3300 m 4200 m. The entire altitudinal range divided into three belts i.e., low-altitude sites, medium-altitude high-altitude (HAS). Results revealed that flora consisted 251 species (belonging 51 families. findings 83 evaluated contributed significantly change between sites. most variance communities made up 75% total, demonstrating these important structuring plant different altitudes. Among flora, a significant (49%) dominance observed nine families, comprising total 123 species. largest family, Asteraceae, had highest number species, followed by Poaceae Rosaceae. Hemicryptophytes emerged as prevailing life form, while Microphylls were dominant leaf type. Phytosociological Indices diversity levels decreased with increasing altitude, indicating impact on diversity. Canonical correspondence analysis suggested grazing, soil erosion explaining distribution flora. Twelve indicator discovered groups. LAS, Bistorta affinis, Geranium himalayense, Poa nemoralis, Sibbaldia cuneata, value, whereas MAS Allium humile, Juniperus communis, Rhododendron campanulatum p-values. high HAS, plants communis. Our results identified vulnerable very low abundance values 17 threatened having extremely (<0.1) vital conservation priority region. may helpful formulate immediate management strategies conservethe precious floristic wealth Region.

Language: Английский

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Phylogenetic diversity drives soil multifunctionality in arid montane forest-grassland transition zone

Frontiers in Plant Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15

Published: Feb. 12, 2024

Exploring plant diversity and ecosystem functioning in different dimensions is crucial to preserve ecological balance advance conservation efforts. Ecosystem transition zones serve as vital connectors linking two distinct ecosystems, yet the impact of various aspects (including taxonomic, functional, phylogenetic diversity) on soil multifunctionality these remains be clarified. This study focuses forest-grassland zone mountains northern slopes Tianshan Mountains, investigates vegetation characteristics from forest ecosystems grassland characterize functioning, well driving role dimensions. In montane zone, urease (URE) total nitrogen (TN) play a major regulating by affecting nutrient cycle. Phylogenetic was found strongest driver multifunctionality, followed functional diversity, while taxonomic least important driver. Diverse species were shown an maintaining especially distantly related with high phylogeny. The multidimensional can help relationship between elements, which areas where overlaps, application findings support sustainable development regions.

Language: Английский

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Investigating the Dynamic Change and Driving Force of Vegetation Carbon Sink in Taihang Mountain, China

Land, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(9), P. 1348 - 1348

Published: Aug. 24, 2024

Vegetation plays an important role in absorbing carbon dioxide and accelerating the achievement of neutrality. As ecological barrier North China, Taihang Mountains are pivotal to construction project China. Nevertheless, dynamic development vegetation sink region impact factors on have not been systematically evaluated. This study employed a comprehensive approach, utilising remote sensing technology meteorological topographic data, conjunction with net ecosystem productivity (NEP) estimation model reveal characteristics sinks Mountain, then revealed dynamics evolution NEP inter-annual trend by using Theil–Sen Median slope estimation, Mann–Kendall test, coefficient dissociation analysed driving roles influencing parameter optimal geographic detector. Our findings suggest that Mountain area has clear growth time, average value is 289 gC-m−2-a−1 from 2000 2022, spatial distribution shows high northeast low middle west, gradual increase southwest; areas fluctuation mainly distributed around some cities susceptible interference natural or anthropogenic factors. The influenced variety factors, among which explanatory power each factor as follows: DEM (0.174) > temperature (0.148) precipitation (0.026) (0.017) direction (0.003). had strongest for changes, two-by-two effects were all significantly stronger than single factor, interaction between power; distinguishing climate change contribution activities changes more 90% Mountainous Region was 60%, force change. results this can only provide reference reduction restoration projects but also benefit research paradigm sequestration other regions.

Language: Английский

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Spatiotemporal Variation and Driving Analysis of Net Primary Productivity of Vegetation in Southern Part of Taihang Mountain, China

Journal of Environmental & Earth Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 7(1)

Published: Jan. 14, 2025

The net primary productivity of vegetation (NPP) is an important index to evaluate the carbon sequestration capacity and land use change. Using MOD17N3HGF NPP data, climate data night-time light from 2000 2020, this study explored relationship between urban expansion, change in Southern Part Taihang Mountain through brightness gradient method, trend analysis, partial correlation analysis contribution analysis. It aims provide information support for rural planning ecological management region. Key findings include: Over past 20 years, mountain areas has shown overall fluctuating upward trend, with "N" pattern related altitude. human activity area expanded by 9.9%, expansion highly active holding back growth moderately contributing it. gradually warming wetting, precipitation strong, while temperature weak. Compared activities (19.9%), was main driver change, significantly up 79.5%. In quality south region improved actively responded but have led spatial temporal differences.

Language: Английский

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Phylogenetic diversity and structure above the tree line in the central Chilean Andes in the light of competing macroecological hypotheses

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. e03537 - e03537

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Estimation of Tree Species Diversity in Warm Temperate Forests via GEDI and GF-1 Imagery

Forests, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(4), P. 570 - 570

Published: March 25, 2025

Estimates of tree species diversity via traditional optical remote sensing are based only on the spectral variation hypothesis (SVH); however, this approach does not account for vertical structure a forest. The relative height (RH) indices derived from GEDI spaceborne LiDAR provide vegetation information through waveform decomposition. Although RH have been widely studied, optimal index estimation remains unclear. This study integrated GF-1 imagery and data to estimate in warm temperate First, random forest plus residual kriging (RFRK) was employed achieve wall-to-wall mapping GEDI-derived indices. Second, recursive feature elimination (RFE) applied select relevant features. (RF), support vector machine (SVM), k-nearest neighbor (kNN) methods were subsequently data. results indicated that multisource achieved greater accuracy (average R2 = 0.675, average RMSE 0.750) than single-source 0.636, 0.754). Among three learning methods, RF model (R2 0.760, 2.090, MAE 1.624) significantly more accurate SVM 0.571, 2.556, 1.995) kNN 0.715, 2.084, 1.555) models. Moreover, mean_mNDVI, mean_RDVI, mean_Blue identified as most important features, whereas RH30 RH98 crucial features establishing models diversity. Spatially, high west low east area. highlights potential integrating modeling emphasizes indicative middle- lower-canopy

Language: Английский

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Altitudinal gradients shaping tree diversity and regeneration dynamics in mountainous ecosystems

BMC Plant Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 25(1)

Published: May 16, 2025

Himalayan forests are crucial for ecological roles but face threats from natural and human factors. This study examines tree diversity, regeneration patterns, human-induced in the Kashmir Western Himalayas. We use indices multivariate analysis to investigate species richness, composition shifts, impact of ongoing anthropogenic on forest ecosystems. Vegetation sampling was conducted at 45 sites Himalayas, elevations 600 3600 m. Data were collected using quadrat methods. To composition, influences, statistical analyses such as Shannon Simpson indices, Non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Canonical Correspondence (CCA), regression models performed R software OriginPro. A total 33 recorded different zones: temperate zone had most (22), followed by subtropical (16) subalpine (7). The highest index (2.15 ± 0.24) (0.86 0.03), while lowest (0.48 0.20). evenness (0.95 0.04). PCA showed that PC1 explained 37.2% variation PC2 14.9%. Human-induced disturbances significant drivers particularly zones, accounting 11% variation. Picea smithiana density (615.62 individuals per hectare). indicated a quadratic relationship between DBH (R² values 0.66641 0.92089). Regeneration patterns varied: Pinus roxburghii high seedling zone, Abies pindrow wallichiana regenerated well recruitment limited zone. Elevation significantly influences diversity factors shape composition. Anthropogenic activities notably affect especially lower elevations, thereby threatening ecosystem resilience. emphasizes necessity sustainable management practices mitigate impacts promote regeneration, zones.

Language: Английский

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Understory specific species appearances indicate the soil improvement of low-function Platycladus orientalis forest in Beijing’s mountainous areas

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 162, P. 111996 - 111996

Published: April 18, 2024

How to assess the effect of ecosystem restoration is a trending topic with all projects and function studies in recent years. Although many have used different indicators methods evaluate effects, it needs lot site works acquire data. Low-function Platycladus orientalis forest program Beijing mountainous area has been started since 2002, this study, understory species 92 plots were investigated recorded. We assumed that would improve conditions, especially for soil conditions which might lead appearance new species. The relationship between eleven condition factors was elucidated by means canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), further, specific chosen represent improvement possible growth areas predicted Maximum Entropy model. Results shown Spiraea pubescens, Deutzia parviflora, Chrysanthemum chanetii, Themeda triandra, Oplismenus undulatifolius main sensitive environmental factors, their distribution related closely. had strong indication nutrient, appearances happen when comprehensive index nutrient above 81,64 61 respectively. chanetii indicate level or range medium, pubescens mean high low-function area. Our study indicates could as an indicator reflect effect.

Language: Английский

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Effects of Soil Properties and Altitude on Phylogenetic and Species Diversity of Forest Plant Communities in Southern Subtropical China

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(24), P. 11020 - 11020

Published: Dec. 16, 2024

The altitudinal distribution pattern of biodiversity is a hot topic in ecological research. This study specifically aims to investigate how altitude influences the spatial species and phylogenetic functional diversity within plant communities. By examining three range-gradient communities Daqing Mountain-Community I (0–300 m), Community II (300–600 III (600–900 we explore interrelationship between diversity, indices, environmental drivers (altitude, soil physical properties, chemical properties). We found (1) correlation structure Mountain. Species decreased then increased with increasing altitude; altitude, changed from dispersed aggregated; (2) Altitude properties are important richness, along gradient; (3) structural equations showed that rise were key factors contributing decrease Mountain, total porosity directly influencing water content indirectly. not only reveals Mountain but also provides basis for conservation planning, habitat maintenance, management coordination.

Language: Английский

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Applying specific habitat indicators to study Asteraceae species diversity patterns in mountainous area of Beijing, China

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 13, 2024

Abstract Determining the distribution pattern and drivers of specific species diversity is significant for predicting response to biodiversity formulating conservation programs reduce loss. How apply regional habitat indicators study patterns a hot spot in recent years. In this study, we investigated 112 Asteraceae plants sample plots explored effects topography, soil nutrients stand factors on by using SEM model. And responses was simulated Maxent The results shown that had highest, but topography canopy closure lowest relative contributions among these factors. Topography affected direct indirect effects. contribution rate each potential environmental variable’s impact ranked as following: STN (29.7%)> SOC (28.5%) > slope (8.5%)> Ele (8.1%). abundant at high (＞27g/kg), (＞1.8 g/kg), low (165–333 m) gentle slopes (5–12 degrees). Our indicates could an indicator reflect or evaluate level nutrient content.

Language: Английский

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