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Chinese Journal of Ecology ›› 2021, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (3): 731-739.doi: 10.13292/j.1000-4890.202103.013

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Numerical classification and ordination of shrub communities on the north slope of Qilian Mountains.

ZHAO Ting-ting, ZHAO Cheng-zhang*, KANG Man-ping, LI Qun, TANG Yu-rui, ZENG Hong-xia, WANG Yu-fang   

  1. (School of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Engineering Research Center of Wetland Resource Protection and Industrial Development in Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730070, China).
  • Online:2021-03-10 Published:2021-03-15

Abstract: The spatial distribution pattern of plant communities is a consequence of interspecific interaction in heterogeneous habitats. The study on its differentiation and its relationship with environmental factors is helpful to understand plant adaptation. Based on the survey data from 28 plots on the north slope of Qilian Mountains, the TWINSPAN and CCA analysis methods were used to explore the relationship between spatial distribution of shrub communities and environmental factors. The results showed that: (1) shrub communities on the north slope of Qilian Mountains could be classified into seven association groups by TWINSPAN, namely, Ass. Kalidium foliatum+Phyllanthus urinaria, Ass.Ajania fruticulosa+Sympegma regelii, Ass. Sympegma regelii+Artemisia capillaries, Ass.Lyonia ovalifolia+Allium polyrhizum, Ass.Caragana opulens+Stipa capillata, Ass. Caragana jubata+Salixcupularis, and Ass.Dosiphora fruticose+Polygonum viviparumn. (2) The results of CCA ordination showed that altitude and soil salinity were the main environmental factors driving the distribution of shrub communities on the north slope of Qilian Mountains, while soil organic matter, soil water content, soil bulk density and soil pH were the secondary factors. Soil available phosphorus and available potassium had minor effects on the distribution of plant community.

 

Key words: shrub community, TWINSPAN, CCA, environmental factor, the north slope of QilianMountains.