Alpine Hummocks Drive Plant Diversity and Soil Fertile Islands on the Tibetan Plateau

Abstract

Earth hummocks are widely distributed in arctic, sub-Arctic and alpine regions and have important roles in determining plant diversity and the nutrient content of soils. We investigated the impact of the spatial heterogeneity on soil properties and plant communities caused by the hummocks on the Tibetan Plateau. The results indicated alpine hummocks created higher plant diversity and soil fertile island patterns under Kobresia Genus communities. Vegetation height, cover, above-ground and underground biomass, species richness and diversity at the top of well-developed hummocks were the significantly higher than those in the inter-hummocks and surrounding flat ground. The soil organic carbon content in surface soil layer (0-50 cm) at the hummock top was 154.6% and 172.3% higher than those in inter-hummock area and the flat ground, respectively. From the developing to well-developed stage, K. littledalei became the dominant population at hummock top instead of K. humilis, and fertile islands gradually formed with higher soil organic carbon and total nitrogen, lower soil moisture and wider soil temperature variation. RDA analysis further indicated the interactions of plant community succession and soil fertile island could create positive feedbacks to nutrient-rich patches.