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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2021, Vol. 57 ›› Issue (2): 168-178.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20210217

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Patterns of Altitudinal Distribution of Species Diversity of Desert Gobi Shrub Communities in West Hexi Corridor of China

Xue Dong1,5,Yonghua Li2,3,4,*,Zhiming Xin1,5,Ruibing Duan1,5,bin Yao2,Yanfeng Bao2,Zhengguo Zhang2,Yuan Liu1,5   

  1. 1. Experimental Center for Desert Forestry, CAF Dengkou 015200
    2. Institute of Desertification Studies, CAF Beijing 100091
    3. Kumtage Desert Ecosystem National Observation Research Station Dunhuang 736200
    4. Dunhuang Desert Ecosystem National Observation Research Station Dunhuang 736200
    5. Inner Mongolia Dengkou Desert Ecosystem National Observation Research Station Dengkou 015200
  • Received:2019-08-28 Online:2021-02-25 Published:2021-03-29
  • Contact: Yonghua Li

Abstract:

Objective: The altitudinal patterns of distribution of structural characteristics of shrub communities in the western part of Hexi Corridor was analyzed in order to explore the spatial distribution patterns of species diversity in shrub communities in desert gobi. Method: 12 plots were set up in the shrub communities within an altitudinal range of 800-3 200 m in the desert gobi to investigate the changes of species diversity along elevation. Result: From low to high altitudes, the types of shrub communities were in turn Calligonum mongolicum + Haloxylon ammodendron, Nitraria sphaerocarpa, C. mongolicum + N. sphaerocarpa, N. sphaerocarpa + Reaumuria soongarica + C. mongolicum + Ephedra przewalskii, Sympegma regelii + R. soongarica, N. sphaerocarpa + R. songarica, S. regelii + Kalidium foliatum + R. soongarica, Ajania fruticulosa + K. gracile, S. regelii, K. foliatum, K. foliatum + R. soongarica, R. soongarica, among which R.soongarica, S. regelii and N. sphaerocarpa were dominant species with large distribution range, playing an important role in the desert gobi ecosystem. The α diversity index showed a unimodal distribution pattern that increased first and then decreased along the altitudinal gradient, with the maximum value occurred at 2 000-2 200 m. The richness index (Gleason, Margalef) and the diversity index (Shannon-Wiener, Simpson) showed a significant unimodal pattern with the altitudinal gradient (P < 0.05). The vertical distribution pattern of diversity in the shrub communities in desert gobi was significantly affected by the altitudes (P < 0.05). Although the mean annual precipitation and the mean temperature were extremely significantly correlated with the altitude (P < 0.01), the correlation between species diversity and precipitation or temperature was not significant (P>0.05). The species diversity indices of desert gobi shrub communities were low, with simple structure and few species. Most Jaccard similarity levels of different shrub communities were low between altitudinal gradients. Conclusion: The distribution pattern of desert gobi shrub community was patchiness in regional scale in West Hexi Corridor. The constructive species of shrub communities changed within different altitudinal gradients. The distribution pattern of species diversity was unimodal on the altitudinal gradients, which rose first and then descend. This study will help to understand the spatial distribution pattern of shrub communities in arid region, and provide a basis for scientific conservation and management.

Key words: desert gobi, shrub community, species diversity, altitudinal gradient, environmental factor

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