Bulletin of Botanical Research ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (5): 707-721.doi: 10.7525/j.issn.1673-5102.2025.05.006

• Original Paper • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Herbaceous Plant Diversity in the Karst River Valley Headwater Waterfalls of Dehang Geopark

Ziyu LONG1, Zhicheng WANG1, Rui ZHAO1, Bing LIU1, Gongxi CHEN1,2()   

  1. 1.National and Local United Engineering Laboratory of Integrative Utilization of Eucommia Ulmoides,Jishou University,Jishou 416000
    2.Rural Revitalization and Regional Development Research Center of Wuling Mountain Area,Jishou 416000
  • Received:2024-12-09 Online:2025-09-20 Published:2025-09-28
  • Contact: Gongxi CHEN E-mail:chengongxi2011@163.com

Abstract:

To explore the species composition, floristic geographical components, and diversity characteristics and patterns of change in the herbaceous communities of waterfalls in Dehang Geological Park, three herbaceous communities of waterfalls were used as materials, and the importance values, floristic geographical components, species α and β diversity, nutritional traits, reproductive traits, and phylogenetic diversity were analyzed respectively, and the basic data of plant diversity in waterfall habitats was provided. The results indicated that a total of 85 species from 66 genera and 35 families of herbaceous plants were identified, and Aster ageratoidesStrobilanthes oliganthaPilea notata and Pilea sinofasciata were the dominant species. The geographical distribution types were consistent with the floristic characteristics of the East Asia, with more tropical components in Dalongdong and a less proportion in Xiannvtan. In terms of alpha diversity, Shannon-Wiener and Simpson indices of plants in Dalongdong were higher, but the Pielou index was the lowest; beta diversity indices were consistent, with the highest value occurred between Dalongdong and Liusha Waterfall, and the lowest value occurred between Liusha and Xiannvtan Waterfall. The life habits were predominated by perennial herbs, with medium-sized, simple, papery, unlobed, and serrated leaves. There were differences in leaf arrangement and pubescence; reproductive traits were mainly characterized by bisexual flowers, terminal and axillary, dry fruits, and wind-dispersed seeds, with flowering periods concentrated from May to August and fruiting periods from August to October, and differences in inflorescence type. The herbaceous communities exhibited a clumped distribution, with environmental filtration being as a primary factor influencing community structure. The herbaceous community in the Dehang waterfalls exhibited unique diversity characteristics compared to the other communities.

Key words: waterfalls, herbaceous plants, plant diversity, floristic geographic components, Dehang, Xiangxi Global Geopark

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