Progress on Geographical Distribution, Driving Factors and Ecological Functions of Nepalese Alder

Abstract

As the oldest species of Betulaceae, Nepalese alder (Alnus nepalensis) shows a high capacity for nitrogen fixation, rapid growth rate, and strong adaptability to stress environments, and it plays an important role in maintaining the structure and function of forest and agroforestry ecosystems. We explored its geographic distribution and the corresponding environmental drivers through collecting specimen records and published literature for Nepalese alder over the world during the past 40 years. The research trends, the growth limiting factors, the physiological characteristics, and ecological functions were all summarized as well. In terms of geographical distribution and limiting factors, Nepalese alder is mainly distributed in southern mountainous areas of the Himalayas and southwest China. Since it presented a clear northern limit of distribution and an upper limit of elevation, temperature is assumed to be the main environmental limiting factor. According to historical development, the research history of Nepalese alder could be divided into three main periods: the initial development (before 2001), the fast development (2002–2015), and the high-quality development (2016–2022), with the two key points in 2002 and 2015 relating to the conversion of cropland to a forest project that the government conducted and the application from theory to practice, respectively. As can be seen from the ecological functions, Nepalese alder could form symbiotic nodules with Frankia, which plays an important role in improving soil physical and chemical properties and facilitating vegetation secondary succession. Overall, the present review provides a reference for further studies on ecological adaptability and sustainable utilization of Nepalese alder under climate change, and also for regional ecosystem service, forestry production practice, and vegetation restoration.