Zonation of plant cover and environmental factors in wetlands of the Sanjiang Plain, northeast China

Abstract

The zonation of depressional and riparian wetlands in the Sanjiang Plain of northeastern China was studied to describe their vegetation composition and environmental variables. We sampled 108 plots in 6 depression and riparian wetlands. Samples were classified into 4 groups using two‐way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN). Emergent marsh vegetation was characterized by Carex lasiocarpa and C. pseudocuraica, meadow marsh vegetation by tussock species such as Carex appendiculata and C. meyeriana, wet meadow vegetation by Calamangrostis angustifolia and Carex appendiculata, and shrub meadow vegetation by the shrubs Betula fruticosa, Alnus sibirica and Salix rosmarinifolia and the graminids Carex schmidtii and Calamagrostis angustifolia. CCA ordination showed that water table, organic matter and available N were the major factors explaining the vegetation zonation pattern. Compared with other Northern Hemisphere regions, bog and fen vegetation are completely absent due to climatic conditions unfavorable for peat formation. Out of four vegetation types, only the Carex lasiocarpa community and the C. pseudo‐curaica community have been found in other regions. However, at the species level many species are widespread and some species are vicariant or pseudovicariant to other regions in the world. Our study suggests that topography and hydrology may be the most important determinants of the vegetation pattern in this region.

Long‐term changes in marsh vegetation in Sanjiang Plain, northeast China

“…Details on vegetation composition, water level and soil properties along the zonation can be found in Lou et al. ().…”

“…The analysis methods for soil organic matter (OM), Total and available nitrogen (N, AN) and phosphorus (P, AP) were as described in Lou et al. ().…”

“…These three types show a distinct vertical zonation along the river, going from a permanently flooded emergent marsh at the river margin or in depressions, followed by a seasonally flooded tussock marsh and an occasionally flooded wet meadow. Details on vegetation composition, water level and soil properties along the zonation can be found in Lou et al (2013).…”

“…Soil samples were collected at 0-15-cm depth (topsoil) from 18 plots (six for each community) during the survey in 1973 and from each plot in 2012. The analysis methods for soil organic matter (OM), Total and available nitrogen (N, AN) and phosphorus (P, AP) were as described in Lou et al (2013).…”

Vegetation development and water level changes in Shenjiadian peatland in Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China

“…Some researchers have carried out studies of the relationship between the plant community and environment factors in the Sanjiang Plain (Ji et al, 2006;Zhou et al, 2006;Luan et al, 2013). The results of these studies suggest that water level is the main factor controlling the components of the vegetation community (Zhou et al, 2012;Lou et al, 2013). Therefore, changes in the water level of the Shenjiadian peatland can be reconstructed from the plant macrofossil assemblages and the degree of humification recorded in sedimentary sequences.…”