The effects of environment and species diversity on shrub survival in subtropical forests

doi:10.17520/biods.2022443

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims: Shrubs are a vital component of forest ecosystems, playing an important role in maintaining species diversity, promoting nutrient cycling, protecting seedling regeneration, and fostering multi-trophic interactions. Shrub survival is an integral factor in forest community composition and function. However, previous studies lack insights on factors influencing shrub survival. Here, we examed the influence of different factors on shrub survival in order to understand the mechanisms underlying shrub survival.

Methods: The study examined 105 plots with varying tree and shrub species diversity in the Biodiversity-Ecosystem Functioning Experiment China platform (BEF-China). By collecting shrub survival in 2012 and 2019, topographical variables, soil variables, tree and shrub species richness in plot level, associated with shrub functional traits in species level, we analyzed the effects of abiotic factors, biotic factors and functional traits on shrub survival using the generalized linear mixed model (GLMM).

Results: We found significant differences in the survival rates among 10 shrub species. Shrubs tended to have higher survival rates in valleys or gently sloping saddles, and in plots with high soil C/N ratio. Neither tree nor shrub diversity had a significant effect on shrub survival, but tree diversity could indirectly improve shrub survival by forming a denser canopy. Shrub functional traits generally significantly affected their survival. For example, shrub species with conservative traits like low specific leaf area, low leaf nitrogen content, small stomatal area, high leaf dry matter content, and high wood density survived better. Abiotic factors had the largest impact on shrub survival, followed by shrub functional traits and then biotic factors. However, the best model for shrub survival included all the factors studied.

Conclusion: The survival of shrubs is the joint result of many factors. Abiotic factors play an important role and differing functional traits also influence shrub survival. However, the impact of species diversity on shrub survival may need a longer window of observation.

Key words: BEF-China, functional trait, shrub survival, subtropical forest, tree species diversity

Yujie Xue, Anpeng Cheng, Shan Li, Xiaojuan Liu, Jingwen Li. The effects of environment and species diversity on shrub survival in subtropical forests[J]. Biodiv Sci, 2023, 31(3): 22443.

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URL: https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/10.17520/biods.2022443

https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/Y2023/V31/I3/22443

Figures/Tables 6

Fig. 1 Design of shrub planting in BEF-China Site A. (a) Overview of shrub plots in Site A, in total 35 super-plots; (b) In each super-plot, shrubs were planted into the three 1-mu plots with richness levels of 2, 4 and 8 shrub species, respectively; (c) Scheme of shrub planting positions in relation to the tree planting positions; (d) Different views in plots with different shrub diversity.

Fig. 2 Survival rates of different shrub species (a) or different successional stages (b). Different letters show statistically significant differences according to a Tukey test at 0.05 level. EuMy, Euonymus myrianthus; ArCr, Ardisia crenata; LoCh, Loropetalum chinense; RhIn, Rhaphiolepis indica; EuMu, Eurya muricata; SyBu, Syzygium buxifolium; CaCh, Camellia chekiangoleosa; GaJa, Gardenia jasminoides; DiMy, Distylium myricoides; DiBu, D. buxifolium. E, Shrub occurs in early-successional stages; E/L, Shrub occurs in all successional stages; I/L, Shrub occurs in intermediate- and late-successional stages; L, Shrub occurs in late-successional stages.

Fig. 3 Relative effect of abiotic factors (a), biotic factors (b) and shrub functional traits (c) on shrub survival. Soil N, Soil nitrogen content; Soil C, Soil carbon content; Soil C/N, Soil carbon to nitrogen ratio; topo.PC1-4, The first, second, third, and fourth principal component of topography, respectively; logTR, Tree richness (log2-transformed contrast); logSR, Shrub richness (log2-transformed contrast); logTR:logSR, Interaction of logTR and logSR; Canopy cover, The canopy cover degree of tree; trait.PC1-4, The first, second, third, and fourth principal component of traits, respectively. • P < 0.1; * P < 0.05; *** P < 0.001. Unfilled circles indicate insignificant effects (P > 0.1).

Fig. 4 Principal component analysis (PCA) of shrub functional traits. SA, Stomatal area; LA, Leaf area; Chl, Leaf chlorophyll content; Thickness, Leaf thickness; LDMC, Leaf dry matter content; Height, Shrub height; Crown area, Shrub crown area; WD, Wood density; SD, Stomatal density; LC, Leaf carbon content; SLA, Specific leaf area; LN, Leaf nitrogen content; EuMy, ArCr, LoCh, RhIn, EuMu, SyBu, CaCh, GaJa, DiMy, and DiBu see Fig. 2.

Table 1 AIC values and R2 of different models for shrub survival

模型 Models	AIC	ΔAIC	边际决定系数 Marginal R²	条件决定系数 Conditional R²
非生物模型 Abiotic model	44,022.1	19.9	0.028	0.424
生物模型 Biotic model	44,051.1	48.9	0.005	0.426
功能性状模型 Trait model	44,041.2	39	0.261	0.409
全模型 Full model	44,002.2	0	0.306	0.408

Fig. 5 Parameter estimates (standardized regression coefficients) and relative importance of fixed factors. trait, Functional traits; abiotic, Abiotic factors; biotic, Biotic factors; trait.PC1, trait.PC2, trait.PC3, trait.PC4, Soil pH, Soil C, Soil N, Soil C/N, topo.PC1, topo.PC2, topo.PC3, topo.PC4, logTR, logSR, logTR:logSR and Canopy cover see Fig. 3. ? P < 0.1; * P < 0.05; ** P < 0.01; *** P < 0.001. Unfilled circles indicate insignificant effects (P > 0.1).

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