Affiliation:
1. Department of Forest Conservation, College of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
2. Shanxi Dangerous Forest Pest Inspection and Identification Center, Jinzhong 030801, China
Abstract
Understanding the distribution patterns and underlying maintenance mechanisms of insect species is a core issue in the field of insect ecology. However, research gaps remain regarding the environmental factors that determine the distribution of insect species along altitudinal gradients in Guandi Mountain, China. Here, we explored these determinants based on the distribution pattern and diversity of insect species from 1600 m to 2800 m in the Guandi Mountain, which covers all typical vegetation ecosystems in this area. Our results showed that the insect community showed certain differentiation characteristics with the altitude gradient. The results of RDA and correlation analysis also support the above speculation and indicate that soil physicochemical properties are closely related to the distribution and diversity of insect taxa orders along the altitude gradient. In addition, the soil temperature showed an obvious decreasing trend with increasing altitude, and temperature was also the most significant environmental factor affecting the insect community structure and diversity on the altitude gradient. These findings provide a reference for exploring the maintenance mechanisms affecting the structure, distribution pattern, and diversity of insect communities in mountain ecosystems, and the effects of global warming on insect communities.
Funder
Scientific and Technological Programs of Higher Education Institutions in Shanxi
Applied and Fundamental Research Program for Young Scientists of Shanxi Province
Technology Innovation Fund of Shanxi Agricultural University
National Natural Science Foundation of China