Effects of Continuous Slope Gradient on the Dominance Characteristics of Plant Functional Groups and Plant Diversity in Alpine Meadows
Many studies reported the effect on plant functional groups and plant diversity under discontinuous slope gradient. However, studies on the effect of continuous slope gradient on plant functional groups and plant diversity in alpine meadows have rarely been conducted. We studied the effect of a cont...
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doaj-6fa4b2ad43b24e6eb703fa4d760f00a52020-11-24T22:52:12ZengMDPI AGSustainability2071-10502018-12-011012480510.3390/su10124805su10124805Effects of Continuous Slope Gradient on the Dominance Characteristics of Plant Functional Groups and Plant Diversity in Alpine MeadowsQi-Peng Zhang0Jian Wang1Hong-Liang Gu2Zhi-Gang Zhang3Qian Wang4School of Geographic Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, ChinaSchool of Geographic Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, ChinaSchool of Geographic Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, ChinaSchool of Geographic Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, ChinaDepartment of Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, ChinaMany studies reported the effect on plant functional groups and plant diversity under discontinuous slope gradient. However, studies on the effect of continuous slope gradient on plant functional groups and plant diversity in alpine meadows have rarely been conducted. We studied the effect of a continuous slope gradient on the dominance characteristics of plant functional groups and plant diversity of alpine meadows on the Tibetan plateau—in Hezuo area of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Altogether, 84 samples of alpine meadows grass and 84 soil samples from seven slope gradients at sunlit slopes were collected. By using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation coefficient, this study revealed: (1) Continuous slope gradient is an important factor affecting plant communities in alpine meadows, due to the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil and water content. The number of families, genera, and species increased first then decreased at the different slope gradient levels, respectively; (2) there is a close relationship between the soil and plant functional groups, and plant diversity. In other words, the slope determines the functional groups of plants and the soil nutrients; and (3) soil characteristics (pH value, Soil Total Nitrogen, Soil Water Content) are the determining factors of the plant community characteristics at each slope gradient level. To conclude, a continuous slope gradient is an important factor that affects plant communities in alpine meadows.https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/12/4805continuous slope gradientalpine meadowsplant functional groupsplant diversitysoil nutrientsTibetan plateau |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Qi-Peng Zhang Jian Wang Hong-Liang Gu Zhi-Gang Zhang Qian Wang |
spellingShingle |
Qi-Peng Zhang Jian Wang Hong-Liang Gu Zhi-Gang Zhang Qian Wang Effects of Continuous Slope Gradient on the Dominance Characteristics of Plant Functional Groups and Plant Diversity in Alpine Meadows Sustainability continuous slope gradient alpine meadows plant functional groups plant diversity soil nutrients Tibetan plateau |
author_facet |
Qi-Peng Zhang Jian Wang Hong-Liang Gu Zhi-Gang Zhang Qian Wang |
author_sort |
Qi-Peng Zhang |
title |
Effects of Continuous Slope Gradient on the Dominance Characteristics of Plant Functional Groups and Plant Diversity in Alpine Meadows |
title_short |
Effects of Continuous Slope Gradient on the Dominance Characteristics of Plant Functional Groups and Plant Diversity in Alpine Meadows |
title_full |
Effects of Continuous Slope Gradient on the Dominance Characteristics of Plant Functional Groups and Plant Diversity in Alpine Meadows |
title_fullStr |
Effects of Continuous Slope Gradient on the Dominance Characteristics of Plant Functional Groups and Plant Diversity in Alpine Meadows |
title_full_unstemmed |
Effects of Continuous Slope Gradient on the Dominance Characteristics of Plant Functional Groups and Plant Diversity in Alpine Meadows |
title_sort |
effects of continuous slope gradient on the dominance characteristics of plant functional groups and plant diversity in alpine meadows |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Sustainability |
issn |
2071-1050 |
publishDate |
2018-12-01 |
description |
Many studies reported the effect on plant functional groups and plant diversity under discontinuous slope gradient. However, studies on the effect of continuous slope gradient on plant functional groups and plant diversity in alpine meadows have rarely been conducted. We studied the effect of a continuous slope gradient on the dominance characteristics of plant functional groups and plant diversity of alpine meadows on the Tibetan plateau—in Hezuo area of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Altogether, 84 samples of alpine meadows grass and 84 soil samples from seven slope gradients at sunlit slopes were collected. By using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation coefficient, this study revealed: (1) Continuous slope gradient is an important factor affecting plant communities in alpine meadows, due to the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil and water content. The number of families, genera, and species increased first then decreased at the different slope gradient levels, respectively; (2) there is a close relationship between the soil and plant functional groups, and plant diversity. In other words, the slope determines the functional groups of plants and the soil nutrients; and (3) soil characteristics (pH value, Soil Total Nitrogen, Soil Water Content) are the determining factors of the plant community characteristics at each slope gradient level. To conclude, a continuous slope gradient is an important factor that affects plant communities in alpine meadows. |
topic |
continuous slope gradient alpine meadows plant functional groups plant diversity soil nutrients Tibetan plateau |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/12/4805 |
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