Terrestrial algae diversity of the two world natural heritage sites in China

A comparative analysis of terrestrial algae diversity between two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in China—Shibing Yuntai Mountain (dolomite karst) and Chishui Danxia (danxia landform)—reveals distinct yet interconnected species compositions shaped by geological and environmental factors. Both sites exhibit high algal abundance, dominated by cyanobacteria families like Chroococcaceae and Oscillatoriaceae, with Shibing Yuntai Mountain showing greater species diversity (higher G-F index) due to dolomite soil's nutrient-promoting effects. In contrast, Chishui Danxia's algae are influenced by its red layer soil and arid climate. Despite differences in family, genus, and species similarity (56.25%, 44.05%, and 37.62% respectively), the two sites cluster together at broader taxonomic levels, suggesting shared aquatic ancestry diverging under terrestrial adaptation pressures. The study highlights how algal diversity reflects geological history, stratigraphic lithology, and evolutionary adaptations in these unique landscapes.

YAN Ni, 晏妮，张腾，熊康宁，陈倩，郭丁力，刘之威. (2021). Terrestrial algae diversity of the two world natural heritage sites in China. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 41(24). https://doi.org/10.5846/stxb202103080628