Effects of the Qinling-Daba Mountains as Ecological Corridor on Patterns
of Plant Distribution
Abstract
The Qinling-Daba Mountains (QDM), extending east-west in central China,
span warm temperate and subtropical zones and are characterized by
complex geographical transitions and high biodiversity. They actually
also act as a significant ecological corridor between the Tibetan
Plateau and East China plains, but this almost has not been addressed.
This study uses plant species data of 40 national nature reserves within
QDM and 18 in adjacent area, performs consensus clustering at the levels
of species, genus, and areal-type, traces the origins and dispersal
routes of 89 Chinese endemic genera, and, finally, assesses the
importance and areal differentiation of environmental factors on species
distribution. The results show:①The QDM as a corridor contribute greatly
to the high biodiversity in the study areas, particularly in the
easternmost and westernmost sections,②The QDM promote species
interactions and exchanges between west China and east China.
Central-East China components (41 genera) and North China components (8
genera) spread southwestward; Southwest components (24 genera) spread
eastward and northeastward; while Northwest components (6 genera) show
limited eastward spread. ③Multi-year average precipitation, elevation,
and coldest quarter temperature significantly influence plant
distribution.④Elevation differences (peak, base, and average) under
1000m among reserves enhance plant dispersal, resulting in obvious
corridor effect. This study provides theoretical support for
understanding the corridor effect in the study area and its contribution
to biodiversity pattern of China.