Topographic and Edaphic Drivers of Community Structure and Species Diversity in a Subtropical Deciduous Broad-Leaved Forest in Eastern China

Subtropical deciduous broad-leaved forests in eastern China, critical ecotones between temperate and subtropical biomes, exhibit complex vegetation-environment relationships that challenge conventional assumptions about biodiversity. A study in Lushan National Park revealed that high plant diversity does not always correlate with soil nutrient content; instead, topographic heterogeneity and soil conditions—particularly the carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio, altitude, pH, total phosphorus, and total carbon—jointly shape community structure and species diversity. The research surveyed a 25-hectare forest dynamics plot, analyzing woody plants with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 1 cm alongside detailed topographic and soil physicochemical data. Notably, tree-layer structural characteristics were negatively correlated with diversity, while shrub-layer density showed the opposite trend. Altitude and solar radiation aspect index (TRASP) emerged as key topographic drivers, influencing soil properties in ways that underscore the importance of integrating both factors into conservation strategies for these ecologically vital forests.

Xiang, Z., Wang, J., Xi, D., Zhang, Z., Tang, Z., Hu, Y., Zhang, J., & Zhou, S. (2025). Topographic and Edaphic Drivers of Community Structure and Species Diversity in a Subtropical Deciduous Broad-Leaved Forest in Eastern China. Forests, 16(12), 1837. https://doi.org/10.3390/f16121837