Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Interactions between soil characteristics, environmental factors, and plant species abundance: A case study in the karst mountains of Longhushan Nature Reserve, southwest China

  • Published:
Journal of Mountain Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The ability to manage and restore plant communities in the face of human-induced landscape change may rely on our ability to predict how species respond to environmental variables. Understanding this response requires examining factors or their interactions that have influence on plant and resource availability. Our objective was to analyze the relationships between changes in plant abundance and the interaction among environmental habitat factors including soil, geological (rock type), and other environmental variables in the Longhushan karst mountains ecosystem. Species density and dominance were examined using ANOVA, ANCOVA, and Generalized Linear Models to establish the single or combined effects of these groups of factors. The results showed that trends in abundance were mainly affected by rock type (related to the percentage content of dolomite and calcite), soil characteristics in association with topography. Both plant indices were higher in dolomite dominated areas and varied positively with moisture, and elevation, but negatively with organic matter, while density also increased with slope degree. The results demonstrate that significant variations in species abundance was produced with the combination of variables from soil, geological, and environmental factors, suggesting their interaction influence on plants. We postulate that spatial variations in plant abundance in karst ecosystem depends on the carbonate rock type in addition to water and nutrient availability which are mainly controlled by topography and other factors such as soil texture and temperature. The study suggests that in karst areas carbonate rock type, in addition to local environmental variables, should be taken into account when analyzing the factors that have impact on plant communities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson DW (1979) Processes of humus formation and transformation in the soils of the Canadian Great Plains. Journal of Soil Science 30: 77–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson RG, Goulden ML (2011) Relationships between climate, vegetation, and energy exchange across a montane gradient. Journal of Geophysical Research 116(01026): 1–16. DOI: 10.1029/2010JG001476.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bahari ZA, Pallardy SG, Parker WC (1985) Photosynthesis, water relations, and drought adaptation in six woody species of Oak-Hickory Forests in Central Missouri. Forest Science 31(3): 557–569.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beniston M, Diaz HF, Bradley RS (1997) Climatic change at high elevation sites: An overview. Climatic Change 36: 233–251. DOI: 10.1023/A:1005380714349.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berk R, Mac-Donald J (2008) Overdispersion and Poisson regression. Journal of Quantitative Criminology 24(3): 269–284. DOI: 10.1007/s10940-008-9048-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bratli H, Myhre A (1999) Vegetation-environment relationship of old hay meadows at Sverveli, Telemark, S Norway. Nordic Journal of Botany 19: 455–471.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown RB (2003) Soil Texture Fact Sheet SL-29. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burke A (2001) Classification and ordination of plant communities of the Naukluft Mountain, Namibia. Journal of Vegetation Science 12: 53–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cao J, Yuan DX, Pan G (2003) Some soil features in karst ecosystem. Advance in Earth Sciences 18(1): 37–44. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clements R, Sodhi NS, Schilthuizen M, Ng PKL (2006) Limestone karsts of southeast Asia: imperiled arks of biodiversity. Bioscience 56: 733–742.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cottle R (2004) Linking Geology and Biodiversity. External Relations Team, English Nature Report No. 562. Peterborough pp 11, 12, 84. Available on: http://www.cbd.int/doc/pa/tools/Linking%20Geology%20and%20Biodiversity%20(part%201).pdf

    Google Scholar 

  • Critchley CNR, Chambers BJ, Fowbert JA, et al. (2002) Association between lowland grassland plant communities and soil properties. Biological Conservation 105: 199–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curtis JT (1959) The Vegetation of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. p 657.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eberhard R (1994) Inventory and management of the Junee River Karst system, Tasmania. Forestry Tasmania, Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Engelbrecht BMJ, Comita LS, Condit R, et al. (2007) Drought sensitivity shapes species distribution patterns in tropical forests. Nature 447: 80–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fayolle A, Engelbrecht B, Freycon V, et al. (2012) Geological substrates shape tree species and trait distributions in African moist forests. PLOS ONE 7(8): 42381. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042381.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foth HD (2006) Fundamentals of Soil Science. John Wiley and Sons, 8th ed., New York, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedman GM (1959) Identification of carbonate minerals by staining methods. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology 29: 87–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill SJ, Biging GS, Murphy EC (2000) Modeling conifer tree crown radius and estimating canopy cover. Forest Ecology Management 126: 405–416.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gong GQ, Cheng JM, Mi XC (2007) Habitat association of wood species in the Gutianshan subtropical broad- leaved evergreen forest. Sci Soil and Water Conservation 5(3): 79–83. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gong X, Brueck HK, Giese KM (2008) Slope aspect has effects on productivity and species composition of hilly grassland in the Xilin River Basin, Inner Mongolia, China. Journal of Arid Environments 72: 483–493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graham RW, Grim EC (1990) Effects of global climate change on the patterns of terrestrial biological community. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 5: 289–292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grubb PJ (1977) Control of forest growth and distribution on wet tropical mountains: with special reference to mineral nutrition. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 8: 83–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanson PJ, Weltzin JF (2000) Drought disturbance from climate change, response of United States forests. Science of the Total Environment 262: 205–220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harris RW, Coppock RH (1991) Saving water in landscape irrigation. University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Publication 2976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu ZL, Pan GX, Li LQ, et al. (2009) Changes in pools and heterogeneity of soil organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus under different vegetation types in Karst mountainous area of central Guizhou Province, China. Acta Ecologica Sinica 29: 1–9. (In Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jafari M, Chahouki MAZ, Tavili A, et al. (2004) Effective environmental factors in the distribution of vegetation types in Poshtkouh rangelands of Yazd Province, Iran. Journal of Arid Environments 56(4): 627–641.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang L, Han X, Zhang G, Kardol P (2010) The role of plant-soil feedbacks and land-use legacies in restoration of a temperate steppe in northern China. Ecological Research 25: 1101–1111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kikuchi T, Miura O (1993) Vegetation patterns in relation to macro-scale landforms in hilly land regions. Vegetatio 106: 147–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Killham K, Amato M, Ladd JN (1993) Effect of substrate location in soil and soil pore-water regime on carbon turnover. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 25: 57–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitayma K, Aiba S (2002) Ecosystem structure and productivity of tropical rain forests along altitudinal gradients with contrasting soil phosphorus pools on Mount Kinabalu, Borneo. Journal of Ecology 90: 37–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Linn DM, Doran JW (1984) Aerobic and anaerobic microbial populations in no-till and plowed soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal 48: 794–799.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu CQ (2009) Biogeochemical processes and cycling of nutrients in the Earth’s surface: cycling of nutrients in soilplant systems of Karstic Environments, southwest China. Science Press, Beijing, China.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu F, Wang SJ, Luo HB, et al. (2006) Vegetation succession with Karst desertification and its impact on water chemistry of runoff. Acta Pedol Sinica 43: 26–32. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu SL, Ma KM, Fu BJ, et al. (2003) The relationship between landform, soil characteristics and plant community structure in the Donglingshan Mountain Region, Beijing. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica 27: 496–502. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu SL, Ma KM, Fu BJ, Kang YX, Zhang JY, Zhang YX (2003) The relationship between landform, soil characteristics and plant community structure in the Donglingshan Mountain region, Beijing. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica 27(4): 496–502.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma XD, Zhang SJ, Su ZY, et al. (2010) Community structure in relation to microtopography in a montane evergreen broadleaved forest in Chebaling National Nature Reserve. Acta Ecologica Sinica 30(19): 5151–5160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mao ZZ, Zhang B (1987) The geological characteristics of the Maolan karst forest. In: Zhou Zhengxian, (ed.), Scientific Survery of the Maolan Karst Forest. The People’s Publishing House of Guizhou, China. pp 24–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald DJ, Cowling RM, Boucher C (1996) Vegetationenvironment relationships on a species-rich coastal mountain range in the fynbos biome. Plant Ecology 123: 165–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moser G, Hertel D, Leuschner C (2007) Altitudinal change in LAI and stand leaf biomass in tropical montane forests: a transect study in Ecuador and a pantropical meta-analysis. Ecosystems 10: 924–935.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nielson DW, Sommers LE (1982) Particle size analysis. In: Methods of soil analysis, Chemical and microbiolgical properties. American Society of Agronomy-Soil Science, Society of America Madison. pp 539–577.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oyonarte C, Aranda V, Durante P (2008) Soil surface properties in Mediterranean mountain ecosystems: Effects of environmental factors and implications of management. Forest Ecology Management 254: 156–165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oztas T, Koc A, Comakli B (2003) Changes in vegetation and soil properties along a slope on overgrazed and eroded rangelands. Journal of Arid Environments 55: 93–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer MW, Dixon PM (1990) Small-scale environmental heterogeneity and the analysis of species distributions along gradients. Journal of Vegetation Science 1: 57–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pärtel M (2002) Local plant diversity patterns and evolutionary history at the regional scale. Ecology 83: 2361–2366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paternoster R, Brame R (1997) Multiple routes to delinquency? A test of developmental and general theories of crime. Criminology 35: 45–84. DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-9125.1997.tb00870.x

    Google Scholar 

  • Paul EA, van Veen JA (1978) The use of tracers to determine the dynamic nature of organic matter. International Congress of Soil Science, Transactions of the 11th Symposia Papers Edmonton 3: 61–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips OL, Vargas PN, Monteagudo AL, Cruz AP, Chuspezans ME, et al. (2003) Habitat association among Amazonian tree species: a landscape-scale approach. Journal of Ecology 91: 757–775. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2745.2003.00815.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pueyo Y, Alados CL (2007) Abiotic factors determining vegetation patterns in a semi-arid Mediterranean landscape: Different responses on gypsum and non-gypsum substrates. Journal of Arid Environments 69: 490–505.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raich JW, Russell AE, Vitousek PM (1997) Primary productivity and ecosystem development along an elevational gradient on Mauna Loa, Hawaii. Ecology 78: 707–721.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen PE, Collins HP (1991) Long-term impacts of tillage, fertilizer, and crop residue on soil organic matter in temperate semiarid regions. Advances in Agronomy 45: 93–134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reiners W (2002) Geological control of plant species distribution in Wyoming. Abstracts from: Geology, Biogeochemistry, and Ecology: A New Synthesis for Arid Landscape Processes. Geological Society of America, Annual Conference, Denver, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanford WW, Isicher AO (1986) In: Lawson GW (ed.), Plant Ecology in West Africa: Systems and Processes. John Wiley and Sons, Obickester. pp 95–149.

  • Schupp EW (1995) Seed seedling conflicts, habitat choice, and patterns of plant recruitment. American Journal of Botany 82: 399–409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen ZH, Zhang XH, Jin YX (2000) Gradient analysis of the influence of mountain topography on vegetation pattern. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica 24(4): 430–435.

    Google Scholar 

  • Song TQ, Peng WX, Zeng FP, et al. (2008) Vegetation succession rule and regeneration strategies in disturbed karst area, northwest Guangxi. J Mount Res 26: 597–604.(In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sugihara G, (1980) Minimal Community Structure: An Ex lanation of Species Abundance Patterns. University of Chicago Press 116(6): 770–787.

    Google Scholar 

  • ter Steege H, Pitman NCA, Phillips OL, et al. (2006) Continental-scale patterns of canopy tree composition and function across Amazonia. Nature 443: 444–447. DOI: 10.1038/nature05134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tisdall JM, Oades JM (1982) Organic matter and water-stable aggregates in soils. Journal of Soil Science 33:141–163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuomisto H, Poulsen AD, Ruokolainen K, et al. (2003) Linking floristic patterns with soil heterogeneity and satellite imagery in Ecuadorian Amazonia. Ecological Applications 13: 352–371. DOI: 10.1890/0012-9658

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tyler G, Falkengren-Grerup U (1998) Soil chemistry and plant performance: ecological considerations. Progress in Botany 59: 634–658.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verberk W (2012) Explaining general patterns in species abundance and distributions. Nature Education Knowledge 3(10): 38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warne S, St J (1962) A quick field or laboratory staining scheme for the differentiation of the major carbonate minerals. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology 32: 29–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitford WG, Barnessk G, Steinberger Y (2008) Effects of three species of Chihuahuan Desert ants on annual plants and soil properties. Journal of Arid Environments 72: 392–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woods P, Raison RJ (1983) Decomposition of litter in subalpine forests of Eucalyptus delegatensis, E. Pauciflore and E. divers. Australian Journal of Ecology 8: 287–299.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woodward FI (1987) Climate and plant distribution. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge UK. P 174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodward FI, Mckee IF (1991) Vegetation and climate. Environment International 17: 535–546.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu HY, Peng WX, Song TQ, et al. (2008) Changes of soil nutrients in process of natural vegetation restoration in karst disturbed area in northwest Guangxi. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 22: 143–147.(In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu Y, Liu Q, Qiao YK, et al. (2001) Species diversity changes in subalpine coniferous forests of different restoration stages and their effects on soil properties. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica 25: 648–655.(In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu ZR (1993) Studies of the limestone forest in China. Guihaia (5): 5–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ye MS, Guan WB, Tan H, et al. (2004) The a diversity of shrubs community in the arid valley of the Minjiang River. Acta Ecologica Sinica 24: 1123–1130. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yimer F, Ledin S, Abdelkadir A (2006) Soil property variations in relation to topographic aspect and vegetation community in the south-eastern highlands of Ethiopia. Forest Ecology Management 232: 90–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan DX (1988) On the Karst environmental system. In: Proceedings of the IAH 21st Congress: Karst Hydrology and Karst Environment Protection, Guilin, China. Vol 1, pp 30–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuan DX (1993) Environmental change and human impact on karst in south China. In: Williams P (eds.), Karst terrains: environmental change and human impact. Catena (25): 104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuan DX (2001) On the karst ecosystem. Acta Geologica Sinica 75(3): 336–338.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yue YM, Wang KL, Zhang W, Chen HS, Wang M (2008) Relationships between soil and environment in peak-cluster depression areas of karst region based on canonical correspondence analysis. Environmental Science 29: 1400–1405. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J, Ma L (2006) Ecological Environment Construction in Ethnic Minority Regions. Ethnicity Press, Beijing, China.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang ZH, Hu G, Zhu JD, Ni J (2010) Spatial patterns and interspecific associations of dominant tree species in two oldgrowth karst forests, SW China. Ecological Research 25: 1151–1160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu SQ (1997) Ecological research on karst forest (II). Guizhou Science and Technology Press, Guiyang, China.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zuo XA, Zhao XY, Zhao HL, et al. (2009) Spatial heterogeneity of soil properties and vegetation-soil relationships following vegetation restoration of mobile dunes in Horqin Sandy Land, Northern China. Plant and Soil 318(1): 153–167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Dado Toure & ji-wen Ge

  2. Faculty of Environmental Geology, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Jian-wei Zhou

Authors
  1. Dado Toure
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. ji-wen Ge
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jian-wei Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to ji-wen Ge.

Additional information

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4324-3489

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8973-2141

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4952-4641

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Toure, D., Ge, jw. & Zhou, Jw. Interactions between soil characteristics, environmental factors, and plant species abundance: A case study in the karst mountains of Longhushan Nature Reserve, southwest China. J. Mt. Sci. 12, 943–960 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-014-3053-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-014-3053-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation