Study On Ecology Of Wetland Vegetation In Hutuo River Valley, Shanxi

Wetland vegetation is the major component of wetland ecosystem. Not only components, structures and functions are reflected by eco-characteristics of wetland vegetation, but also quality of its eco-environment is indicated. There are various vegetation in different wetland eco-environments. Based on the wetland vegetation in the Hutuo River valley, the relationships between vegetation and environments, species diversity, niche of constructive and dominant species are studied.By analysing the ecological relationships between vegetation and environments, we get 16 associations by combining TWINSPAN with DCA. The first axis of DCA indicates the water gradient of soil while the second axis changes of soil type. The ordination result of main dominant species is similar to that of quadrats and the distributions of the dominant species determines that of associations.There are 70 species of vascular plants, belonging to 22 families and 57 genera in the 74 quadrats/Among those with.water as their dominant ecological factor, there are 30 kinds of mesophyte, accounting for 42.86% of the total and 20 hygrophyte and hydrophyte, accounting for 28.57% combined.The flora analyses of the geographical element show: (1) Apparently predominant cosmopolitan genera indicate the non-regional feather of wetland. (2) Remarkablely predominant species of temperate Asia fully indicate their temperate characteristic.Using diversity indices, the analysis shows that human disturbances, community dynamics and habitat types are influential factors for species diversity, with human disturbances and habitat types to be the major factors.Using Shannon-Wiener niche breadth and Petraitis niche overlap, we study the niche of 20 both constructive and dominant species, with a result showing that Potamogeton actandrus, Cyperus glomeratus and Scirpus triqueter, etc. occupy a narrower niche breadth that leads to an obvious concentration of niche, While Carat dispalata, Glaux maritime, Artimisia annua and Leymus secalinus, etc. occupy a broader niche that spreads.According to the niche breadth index, wetland plants can be classified into four groups. There are only 68 species counterparts having niche overlaps, accounting for 17.89% of the total 380. This indicates that constructive species and dominant species don't have complete and popular niche overlaps and the niche of different populations separates distinctly, owing to their different kinds of resources needs.Owing to both natural and man-made influences, the Hutuo River wetland is facing severe threat. Four suggestions are brought forward here with respect to ecological perseverance and restoration, in an attempt to realize sustainable development in the valley.