Pattern of functional diversity along the elevation gradient in the dry evergreen Afromontane forest of Hararghe Highland, Southeast Ethiopia
Understanding plant species distribution patterns along environmental gradients is fundamental to managing ecosystems, particularly when habitats are fragmented due to intensive human land use pressure. The variation pattern of functional diversity of plant communities along the elevation gradient i...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Oles Honchar Dnipro National University
2020-08-01
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| Series: | Biosystems Diversity |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://ecology.dp.ua/index.php/ECO/article/view/1053 |
| _version_ | 1811180570632257536 |
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| author | M. Teshome Z. Asfaw M. Mohammed |
| author_facet | M. Teshome Z. Asfaw M. Mohammed |
| author_sort | M. Teshome |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Understanding plant species distribution patterns along environmental gradients is fundamental to managing ecosystems, particularly when habitats are fragmented due to intensive human land use pressure. The variation pattern of functional diversity of plant communities along the elevation gradient in the Dindin dry evergreen Afromontane forest was tested. Fifty four plots of 20 x 20 m (400 m2) were established at 200 m intervals starting 2,300–2,900 m a. s. l. and woody species composition, and environmental variables were recorded. Nine functional diversity indices based on functional distances were employed to esimate functional diversity. The mixed effect model was used to determine the effect of elevation, aspect and slope on functional diversity indices. The results showed that functional diversity in communities varied greatly; functional diversity revealed a decrease with increasing elevation and a‘‘humped’’ pattern, with peak diversity appearing at middle elevation. Functional diversity was significantly correlated with elevation, slope, and aspect. Functional diversity was significantly correlated with species richness and evenness. Environmental filtering was important to the functional diversity pattern; the nine indices were all successful in the analysis of functional diversity in the plant community with different effectiveness, and modified functional attribute diversity, plot-based functional diversity, community based functional diversity, functional richness, and community weight mean of woody density performed better than the other four indices in this study. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T09:05:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d98aa547512b4043835d202f57f6bdcc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2519-8513 2520-2529 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T09:05:29Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | Oles Honchar Dnipro National University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biosystems Diversity |
| spelling | doaj.art-d98aa547512b4043835d202f57f6bdcc2022-12-22T04:32:39ZengOles Honchar Dnipro National UniversityBiosystems Diversity2519-85132520-25292020-08-0128325726410.15421/0120341053Pattern of functional diversity along the elevation gradient in the dry evergreen Afromontane forest of Hararghe Highland, Southeast EthiopiaM. Teshome0Z. Asfaw1M. Mohammed2Oda Bultum UniversityWondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural ResourcesOda Bultum UniversityUnderstanding plant species distribution patterns along environmental gradients is fundamental to managing ecosystems, particularly when habitats are fragmented due to intensive human land use pressure. The variation pattern of functional diversity of plant communities along the elevation gradient in the Dindin dry evergreen Afromontane forest was tested. Fifty four plots of 20 x 20 m (400 m2) were established at 200 m intervals starting 2,300–2,900 m a. s. l. and woody species composition, and environmental variables were recorded. Nine functional diversity indices based on functional distances were employed to esimate functional diversity. The mixed effect model was used to determine the effect of elevation, aspect and slope on functional diversity indices. The results showed that functional diversity in communities varied greatly; functional diversity revealed a decrease with increasing elevation and a‘‘humped’’ pattern, with peak diversity appearing at middle elevation. Functional diversity was significantly correlated with elevation, slope, and aspect. Functional diversity was significantly correlated with species richness and evenness. Environmental filtering was important to the functional diversity pattern; the nine indices were all successful in the analysis of functional diversity in the plant community with different effectiveness, and modified functional attribute diversity, plot-based functional diversity, community based functional diversity, functional richness, and community weight mean of woody density performed better than the other four indices in this study.https://ecology.dp.ua/index.php/ECO/article/view/1053environmental filters; community weight mean; mixed effect model; wood density; specific leaf area. |
| spellingShingle | M. Teshome Z. Asfaw M. Mohammed Pattern of functional diversity along the elevation gradient in the dry evergreen Afromontane forest of Hararghe Highland, Southeast Ethiopia Biosystems Diversity environmental filters; community weight mean; mixed effect model; wood density; specific leaf area. |
| title | Pattern of functional diversity along the elevation gradient in the dry evergreen Afromontane forest of Hararghe Highland, Southeast Ethiopia |
| title_full | Pattern of functional diversity along the elevation gradient in the dry evergreen Afromontane forest of Hararghe Highland, Southeast Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Pattern of functional diversity along the elevation gradient in the dry evergreen Afromontane forest of Hararghe Highland, Southeast Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pattern of functional diversity along the elevation gradient in the dry evergreen Afromontane forest of Hararghe Highland, Southeast Ethiopia |
| title_short | Pattern of functional diversity along the elevation gradient in the dry evergreen Afromontane forest of Hararghe Highland, Southeast Ethiopia |
| title_sort | pattern of functional diversity along the elevation gradient in the dry evergreen afromontane forest of hararghe highland southeast ethiopia |
| topic | environmental filters; community weight mean; mixed effect model; wood density; specific leaf area. |
| url | https://ecology.dp.ua/index.php/ECO/article/view/1053 |
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