Abstract: The species identity, composition, distribution, and evolution of plant community can reflect the development direction of wetland ecosystem, and affect the proper functioning of main ecological functions. To investigate plant community structure, a transect with a width of about 500 m perpendicular to the community transition zone was established in the Yellow River Estuary in 2021. The results showed that there were 15 species of higher plants which belonged to 11 families and 15 genera. The plant communities with strip distribution from the river to the sea could be divided into seven types. Spartina alterniflora dominated the vegetation. Species composition of the vegetation was relatively simple, mainly composed of herbaceous species. The Shannon diversity index increased first and then decreased along the river to the sea direction. In the past 10 years, plant community of wetlands in the Yellow River Estuary had shown dramatic changes. The species number of plant community declined, the top two species in terms of importance value changed considerably, and the established species of some communities gradually disappeared or were replaced by new species. This study highlights the rapid evolution of plant community, providing scientific reference for biodiversity conservation and ecological management of newborn wetlands in the Yellow River Estuary.

Key words: plant community, distribution pattern, species diversity