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Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology ›› 2017, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (4): 1121-1127.doi: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.201704.034

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Effects of revegetation approach and terrain on plant species diversity as a result of converting croplands to forests in the Loess region of western Shanxi Province, China

WU Wen-juan1, ZHA Tong-gang1,2*, ZHANG Zhi-qiang2   

  1. 1School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
    2Ministry of Education Engineering Research Center of Forestry Ecological Engineering, Beijing 100083, China
  • Received:2016-07-19 Online:2017-04-18 Published:2017-04-18
  • Contact: * E-mail: zhtg73@bjfu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by the National Science and Technology Supporting Plan (2015BAD07B030303)

Abstract: The plant species diversity of stands converted from croplands as affected by revegetation approaches and terrains was studied using the transect line plot sampling. The goal of the study was to provide reference for evaluation reforestation effects and forest management in the Loess region of western Shanxi Province. The results showed that revegetation approach had a great influence on plant species diversity in stands. The number of species in the natural restoration forest (NF) was 1.6 times of that of Robinia pseudoacacia plantation (RP), the Shannon index of NF was higher, and the Pielou index of NF was lower. Slope position had significant effect on the species diversity, and the three species diversity indices were all in order of bottom of loess gully > middle slope of loess gully > slope of loess hill > top of loess hill. The species diversity indices on the shady slope were higher than those on the sunny slope, while the difference was not significant. Integrated effects of terrain and revegetation approach had significant influences on species diversity. The species diversity was highest at the bottom of shady slope of NF, and the species evenness was highest at the bottom of shady slope of RP. For improving the species diversity, the afforestation design in the Loess area must consider terrain position and the natural forest recovery process following the principle of ‘selecting suitable tree species for the right site’.