Effects of climate change on plant composition and diversity in the Gurbantünggüt Desert of northwestern China

摘要: Understanding changes in plant diversity is important with changing climate desert ecosystems. We analyzed the species richness and functional types different landscape positions turnover between five sub-regions of Gurbantunggut Desert, China, from 2009 to 2013. also how density, richness, responded annual precipitation, mean temperature, coefficient variation (C v) both daily precipitation monthly throughout this entire region. The results showed significant differences Shannon–Weiner, Evenness, Gleason indices over 5-year study period. Species varied order ephemeral plants > long-lived plants > perennial herbs > shrubs. lower inter-dune area was higher than on upper dune top dunes. About 34.8 % total were influenced by change. density about 8.7 % declined increasing especially two dominant species, Haloxylon persicum ammodendron. Plant increased significantly precipitation. Ephemeral made largest contribution desert, while shrubs smallest. plants play an role maintaining community composition function. In addition, suggest that flora dunes, specifically shaping heterogeneous microhabitats, are reasons for complex responses