Affiliation:
1. College of Geography and Environmental Science, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China
2. Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions, Ministry of Education, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China
Abstract
Amidst urbanization and industrialization in China, abandoned farmland plays a crucial role in safeguarding plant diversity within agricultural landscapes. This study aimed to examine the patterns of seasonal variation in plant diversity within abandoned farmland habitats in the Huang–Huai Plain region. Nonparametric tests were employed to analyze plant species diversity and phylogenetic diversity across seasons. Redundancy analysis and linear regression were conducted to examine the associations between plant species composition, species diversity, phylogenetic diversity, and soil environmental factors. Our results showed that plant species diversity, richness, and phylogenetic diversity were highest in spring, followed by summer, and lowest in autumn. The phylogenetic structure of plant communities demonstrated a tendency to diverge in spring, become random in summer, and cluster in autumn. Soil available potassium and soil organic matter emerged as important factors influencing plant species composition. The content of soil organic matter and ammonium nitrogen level exhibited a significantly positive correlation with the species diversity and phylogenetic diversity of plants. This study underscores the significance of considering seasonal and temporal scales when investigating plant diversity and provides a theoretical basis for biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Science and Technology Department of Henan Province
Subject
Nature and Landscape Conservation,Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous),Ecological Modeling,Ecology