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Effect of urbanization on the structure and functional traits of remnant subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests in South China

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment volume 185, pages 5003–5018 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

We investigated the effects of major environmental drivers associated with urbanization on species diversity and plant functional traits (PFTs) in the remnant subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests in Metropolitan Guangzhou (Guangdong, China). Twenty environmental factors including topography, light, and soil properties were used to quantify the effects of urbanization. Vegetation data and soil properties were collected from 30 400-m2 plots at 6 study sites in urban and rural areas. The difference of plant species diversity and PFTs of remnant forests between urban and rural areas were analyzed. To discern the complex relationships, multivariate statistical analyses (e.g., canonical correspondence analysis and regression analysis) were employed. Pioneer species and stress-tolerant species can survive and vigorously establish their population dominance in the urban environment. The native herb diversity was lower in urban forests than in rural forests. Urban forests tend to prefer the species with Mesophanerophyte life form. In contrast, species in rural forests possessed Chamaephyte and Nanophanerophyte life forms and gravity/clonal growth dispersal mode. Soil pH and soil nutrients (K, Na, and TN) were positively related to herb diversity, while soil heavy metal concentrations (Cu) were negatively correlated with herb diversity. The herb plant species diversity declines and the species in the remnant forests usually have stress-tolerant functional traits in response to urbanization. The factors related to urbanization such as soil acidification, nutrient leaching, and heavy metal pollution were important in controlling the plant diversity in the forests along the urban–rural gradients. Urbanization affects the structure and functional traits of remnant subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests.

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Abbreviations

PFTs:

Plant functional traits

CCA:

Canonical correspondence analysis

BYu:

Baiyun

PGu:

Pugang

LGu:

Luogang

SZr:

Shizao

SMr:

Shimen

BMr:

Baimantan

H :

Shannon–Wiener index

D :

Simpson’s index

J :

Pielou index

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by Guangzhou Science and Technology Asian Games Special Action Plan (2010U1-E00601) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (31170493, 31100469). The Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, Daling Mountain National Forest Park, and Baiyun Mountain Scenic Spot Authority provided field assistance. We thank Guomin Huang, Linjun Li, Pingheng Li, and Shengqiang Li for useful suggestions and comments. Thanks are also due to Prof. Bruce Jaffee for polishing the English.

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  1. Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 723 Xingke Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510650, China

    Liujing Huang, Hongfeng Chen, Hai Ren & Jun Wang

  2. Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Liujing Huang

  3. USDA FS-Eastern Forest Threat Assessment Center, 200 W.T. Weaver Boulevard, Asheville, NC, 28804, USA

    Qinfeng Guo

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  1. Liujing Huang
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  2. Hongfeng Chen
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  3. Hai Ren
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  4. Jun Wang
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Correspondence to Hai Ren.

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Huang, L., Chen, H., Ren, H. et al. Effect of urbanization on the structure and functional traits of remnant subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests in South China. Environ Monit Assess 185, 5003–5018 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2921-5

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Keywords

  • Urbanization
  • Subtropical forest
  • Pioneer species
  • Herb diversity
  • Environmental stress