Patterns of species diversity across scales and along the slope on the ecotone between the active sand dune and the inter-dune lowland in Horqin Sandy Land, China

摘要

To better understand the succession process of vegetation restoration from the active sand dune to the inter-dune lowland, species diversity which refers to species richness and abundance across scales and along the slope were studies in Horqin Sandy Land, China. A 0.25 ha square sampling plot, which sampled on the ecotone, was divided into five grain sizes and equal distance intervals along the slope from the top to the bottom. The results showed that both species abundance and richness increased as the grain sizes increased and along the slope, but the decreasing CV values indicated that species diversity gradually vary from heterogeneity to relatively homogeneity. In conclusion, species abundance and richness showed asynchronous changes and their relationship are more closely across scales than along the slope. Except that, more studies on the biotic and abiotic factors interaction concerning the vegetation patterns of sand dune ecosystems should be conducted. These could not only improve our understanding the mechanisms of vegetation invasion and succession, but also be beneficial for vegetation management and biodiversity conservation in semi-arid sand dune ecosystems.