Impacts of Environmental Heterogeneity on Moss Diversity and Distribution of Didymodon (Pottiaceae) in Tibet, China

PLoS One. 2015 Jul 16;10(7):e0132346. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132346. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Tibet makes up the majority of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, often referred to as the roof of the world. Its complex landforms, physiognomy, and climate create a special heterogeneous environment for mosses. Each moss species inhabits its own habitat and ecological niche. This, in combination with its sensitivity to environmental change, makes moss species distribution a useful indicator of vegetation alteration and climate change. This study aimed to characterize the diversity and distribution of Didymodon (Pottiaceae) in Tibet, and model the potential distribution of its species. A total of 221 sample plots, each with a size of 10 × 10 m and located at different altitudes, were investigated across all vegetation types. Of these, the 181 plots in which Didymodon species were found were used to conduct analyses and modeling. Three noteworthy results were obtained. First, a total of 22 species of Didymodon were identified. Among these, Didymodon rigidulus var. subulatus had not previously been recorded in China, and Didymodon constrictus var. constrictus was the dominant species. Second, analysis of the relationships between species distributions and environmental factors using canonical correspondence analysis revealed that vegetation cover and altitude were the main factors affecting the distribution of Didymodon in Tibet. Third, based on the environmental factors of bioclimate, topography and vegetation, the distribution of Didymodon was predicted throughout Tibet at a spatial resolution of 1 km, using the presence-only MaxEnt model. Climatic variables were the key factors in the model. We conclude that the environment plays a significant role in moss diversity and distribution. Based on our research findings, we recommend that future studies should focus on the impacts of climate change on the distribution and conservation of Didymodon.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biodiversity
  • Bryopsida / classification
  • Bryopsida / physiology*
  • Climate Change
  • Conservation of Natural Resources*
  • Ecosystem
  • Models, Statistical*
  • Plant Dispersal / physiology*
  • Tibet

Associated data

  • Dryad/10.5061/dryad.M8B96

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the grant entitled "Research and demonstration on key techniques of safety growing and efficient use of forage grass in the One River, Two Streams area" from the Tibet Autonomous Region (NO:Z2013C02N02, URL: http://tibetsti.gov.cn/xzkjtportal/index.aspx). XS received the funding. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.