Beta Diversity Patterns and Determinants among Vertical Layers of Tropical Seasonal Rainforest in Karst Peak-Cluster Depressions
Karst peak-cluster depressions in tropical China are characterized by high habitat heterogeneity, supporting complex seasonal rainforest communities, and harboring a rich abundance of endemic and endangered plants. However, for these rainforests, species and phylogenetic beta diversity and their lim...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/15/2/365 |
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| author | Gang Hu Qingling Pang Cong Hu Chaohao Xu Zhonghua Zhang Chaofang Zhong |
| author_facet | Gang Hu Qingling Pang Cong Hu Chaohao Xu Zhonghua Zhang Chaofang Zhong |
| author_sort | Gang Hu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Karst peak-cluster depressions in tropical China are characterized by high habitat heterogeneity, supporting complex seasonal rainforest communities, and harboring a rich abundance of endemic and endangered plants. However, for these rainforests, species and phylogenetic beta diversity and their limiting factors are poorly understood. In this study, the relationships between the beta diversity of three vertical layers (herb, shrub, and tree), environmental factors, and physical distance in China’s tropical karst seasonal rainforest were studied. The results showed that each layer exhibited high species and beta diversity, with species turnover being the dominant contributing factor. Environmental filtering and dispersal limitations were significant drivers of community assembly. Environmental filtering exerted a strong influence, with slope position, soil availability of phosphorus and potassium, pH, and organic matter being the key factors. These findings elucidate seasonal rainforest species and beta diversity spatial patterns within karst peak-cluster depressions, providing a foundation for developing karst ecosystem forest management and vegetation restoration measures. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:31:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c11ec0e27b5f49b3b58937a570d088dd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:31:59Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-c11ec0e27b5f49b3b58937a570d088dd2024-02-23T15:17:03ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072024-02-0115236510.3390/f15020365Beta Diversity Patterns and Determinants among Vertical Layers of Tropical Seasonal Rainforest in Karst Peak-Cluster DepressionsGang Hu0Qingling Pang1Cong Hu2Chaohao Xu3Zhonghua Zhang4Chaofang Zhong5Key Laboratory of Wildlife Evolution and Conservation in Mountain Ecosystem of Guangxi, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530100, ChinaKey Laboratory of Wildlife Evolution and Conservation in Mountain Ecosystem of Guangxi, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530100, ChinaKey Laboratory of Wildlife Evolution and Conservation in Mountain Ecosystem of Guangxi, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530100, ChinaKey Laboratory of Wildlife Evolution and Conservation in Mountain Ecosystem of Guangxi, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530100, ChinaKey Laboratory of Wildlife Evolution and Conservation in Mountain Ecosystem of Guangxi, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530100, ChinaKey Laboratory of Wildlife Evolution and Conservation in Mountain Ecosystem of Guangxi, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530100, ChinaKarst peak-cluster depressions in tropical China are characterized by high habitat heterogeneity, supporting complex seasonal rainforest communities, and harboring a rich abundance of endemic and endangered plants. However, for these rainforests, species and phylogenetic beta diversity and their limiting factors are poorly understood. In this study, the relationships between the beta diversity of three vertical layers (herb, shrub, and tree), environmental factors, and physical distance in China’s tropical karst seasonal rainforest were studied. The results showed that each layer exhibited high species and beta diversity, with species turnover being the dominant contributing factor. Environmental filtering and dispersal limitations were significant drivers of community assembly. Environmental filtering exerted a strong influence, with slope position, soil availability of phosphorus and potassium, pH, and organic matter being the key factors. These findings elucidate seasonal rainforest species and beta diversity spatial patterns within karst peak-cluster depressions, providing a foundation for developing karst ecosystem forest management and vegetation restoration measures.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/15/2/365karst seasonal rainforestbeta diversityspecies turnoverrichness differencecommunity assembly |
| spellingShingle | Gang Hu Qingling Pang Cong Hu Chaohao Xu Zhonghua Zhang Chaofang Zhong Beta Diversity Patterns and Determinants among Vertical Layers of Tropical Seasonal Rainforest in Karst Peak-Cluster Depressions Forests karst seasonal rainforest beta diversity species turnover richness difference community assembly |
| title | Beta Diversity Patterns and Determinants among Vertical Layers of Tropical Seasonal Rainforest in Karst Peak-Cluster Depressions |
| title_full | Beta Diversity Patterns and Determinants among Vertical Layers of Tropical Seasonal Rainforest in Karst Peak-Cluster Depressions |
| title_fullStr | Beta Diversity Patterns and Determinants among Vertical Layers of Tropical Seasonal Rainforest in Karst Peak-Cluster Depressions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beta Diversity Patterns and Determinants among Vertical Layers of Tropical Seasonal Rainforest in Karst Peak-Cluster Depressions |
| title_short | Beta Diversity Patterns and Determinants among Vertical Layers of Tropical Seasonal Rainforest in Karst Peak-Cluster Depressions |
| title_sort | beta diversity patterns and determinants among vertical layers of tropical seasonal rainforest in karst peak cluster depressions |
| topic | karst seasonal rainforest beta diversity species turnover richness difference community assembly |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/15/2/365 |
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