Plant Species Diversity Research Articles

Reseeding increased plant biomass production and soil fertility, but not plant species diversity in degraded grasslands in China

Reseeding is a primary measure to restore degraded grasslands. Numerous studies have conducted experiments to investigate how the properties of grassland ecosystems respond to reseeding in China. However, there is a lack of summary of the results of these studies. Here, we conducted a hierarchical random-effects meta-analysis on the effects of reseeding on plant, soil, and microbial properties. We collected 19 variables, including plant biomass, species diversity and richness, soil organic carbon content, soil total and available nutrients, soil water content, soil microbial biomass and diversity, and enzyme activity, from a dataset of 1363 paired observations (degraded vs. reseeded) from 75 publications. The results showed that reseeding increased aboveground and belowground plant biomass by 70.2% and 68.0% on average, respectively. Reseeding increased soil organic carbon, phosphorus, and potassium contents, but did not affect soil nitrogen levels. Reseeding increased soil microbial nitrogen under conditions of tillage and fertilization. Reseeding age was found to have a positive correlation with species richness, while planting type, fertilization, and tillage did not have a significant impact on the species richness and diversity. Under the treatments of fertilization, non-tillage, and mix-planting, the response ratio of aboveground biomass to reseeding was positively correlated with the response ratio of species diversity to reseeding. Our results concluded that current reseeding practices can significantly improve plant biomass production and soil fertility but have minor effects on plant species diversity. These findings indicate that the preservation of biodiversity should receive greater attention from both researchers and practitioners in grassland remediation in China.

Soil cover heterogeneity associated with biocrusts predicts patch-level plant diversity patterns

ContextSoil resource heterogeneity drives plant species diversity patterns at local and landscape scales. In drylands, biocrusts are patchily distributed and contribute to soil resource heterogeneity important for plant establishment and growth. Yet, we have a limited understanding of how such heterogeneity may relate to patterns of plant diversity and community structure.ObjectivesWe explored relationships between biocrust-associated soil cover heterogeneity and plant diversity patterns in a cool desert ecosystem. We asked: (1) does biocrust-associated soil cover heterogeneity predict plant diversity and community composition? and (2) can we use high-resolution remote sensing data to calculate soil cover heterogeneity metrics that could be used to extrapolate these patterns across landscapes?MethodsWe tested associations among field-based measures of plant diversity and soil cover heterogeneity. We then used a Support Vector Machine classification to map soil, plant and biocrust cover from sub-centimeter resolution Unoccupied Aerial System (UAS) imagery and compared the mapped results to field-based measures.ResultsField-based soil cover heterogeneity and biocrust cover were positively associated with plant diversity and predicted community composition. The accuracy of UAS-mapped soil cover classes varied across sites due to variation in timing and quality of image collections, but the overall results suggest that UAS are a promising data source for generating detailed, spatially explicit soil cover heterogeneity metrics.ConclusionsResults improve understanding of relationships between biocrust-associated soil cover heterogeneity and plant diversity and highlight the promise of high-resolution UAS data to extrapolate these patterns over larger landscapes which could improve conservation planning and predictions of dryland responses to soil degradation under global change.

Accumulation of road salt in a calcareous fen: Kampoosa Bog, western Massachusetts.

Road salt poses a threat to the quality of soils and water resources. Wetlands located in salt contaminated areas are at risk of experiencing lower plant and animal species diversity. Therefore, it is critical to understand how modifications to salt application rates and hydrological events impact wetland water quality. Here, we use chloride mass flux, discharge, groundwater chloride concentration, meteorological, and salt application data from 2012-2020 to estimate chloride accumulation and outflux rates in the Kampoosa Bog subwatersheds, located in Stockbridge and Lee, Massachusetts, and bordered by major highways (Interstate-90 and U.S. Route 7). We also investigate the correlation between wetland size and chloride retention rate. During the 2018-2019 period, mean annual chloride application rates in the major watershed increased from 363000 kg/year (2012-2017) to 479000 kg/year. This led to a net chloride accumulation (KB100 subwatershed: 339000 kg; KB150 subwatershed: 188000 kg) and increased groundwater chloride concentrations in the fen. Chloride outflux from these subwatersheds was primarily driven by discharge. We found that the relationship between wetland percent cover and chloride retention is complex. Although the percent wetland cover is greater in the KB100 main wetland region compared to the KB150 subwatershed, high precipitation in 2018 resulted in similar chloride retention efficiencies (~26%). During the drier year (2019), chloride retention was higher in the wetland region due to its gentle slopes which promote water accumulation and consequently higher evaporation rates which lowers discharge and chloride outfluxes. The chloride steady-state concentration analysis also suggests that there is potential for chloride accumulation to continue because the watershed has not yet reached steady-state chloride concentrations. Without major modifications to salting practices, chloride concentrations will continue increasing and potentially promote the re-growth of invasives (Phragmites) and continued growth of salt tolerant species (Typha angustifolia/xglauca) that diminish plant diversity.

Urban Cemeteries as Biodiversity Refuges: A Comparative Study of Plant Ecobiomorphs in Central Kazakhstan

Cemeteries are often overlooked in ecological studies, yet they represent unique urban microhabitats that contribute to the preservation of diverse plant species, including those adapted to various ecological niches. This study aimed to assess the species composition, ecological classifications, and abundance of vascular plants in the cemetery and surrounding areas to explore cemeteries’ role in conserving plant ecobiomorph diversity in arid climates. This study identified 79 plant species from 23 families within the cemetery compared with 31 species from 11 families in the surrounding area. The plant community in the cemetery was dominated by mesophytes, suggesting favorable and stable conditions for plant growth, while xerophytes were more common in the surrounding areas, indicating harsher, drier conditions. The diversity of plant life forms, including perennial herbs, shrubs, and trees, was significantly higher within the cemetery, indicating a more complex and resilient ecosystem. Our study demonstrates that cemeteries act as vital refuges for plant biodiversity. They offer significantly higher species diversity and more complex ecosystem structures compared with the surrounding areas. These findings emphasize the critical role cemeteries play in urban biodiversity conservation, particularly in increasingly arid environments.

Effects of multiple mammalian herbivores and climate on grassland-shrubland transitions in the Chihuahuan Desert.

The replacement of grasses by shrubs or bare ground (xerification) is a primary form of landscape change in drylands globally with consequences for ecosystem services. The potential for wild herbivores to trigger or reinforce shrubland states may be underappreciated, however, and comparative analyses across herbivore taxa are sparse. We sought to clarify the relative effects of domestic cattle, native rodents, native lagomorphs, and exotic African oryx (Oryx gazella) on a Chihuahuan Desert grassland undergoing shrub encroachment. We then asked whether drought periods, wet season precipitation, or interspecific grass-shrub competition modified herbivore effects to alter plant cover, species diversity, or community composition. We established a long-term experiment with hierarchical herbivore exclosure treatments and surveyed plant foliar cover over 25 years. Cover of honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) proliferated, responding primarily to climate, and was unaffected by herbivore treatments. Surprisingly, cattle and African oryx exclusion had only marginal effects on perennial grass cover at their current densities. Native lagomorphs interacted with climate to limit perennial grass cover during wet periods. Native rodents strongly decreased plant diversity, decreased evenness, and altered community composition. Overall, we found no evidence of mammalian herbivores facilitating or inhibiting shrub encroachment, but native small mammals interacting with climate drove dynamics of herbaceous plant communities. Ongoing monitoring will determine whether increased perennial grass cover from exclusion of native lagomorphs and rodents slows the transition to a dense shrubland.

Genome-Wide Data Uncover Cryptic Diversity With Multiple Reticulation Events in the Balkan-Anatolian Cardamine (Brassicaceae) Species Complex.

Plant species diversity may be considerably underestimated, especially in evolutionarily complex genera and in diversity hotspots that have enabled long-term species persistence and diversification, such as the Balkan Peninsula. Here, we address the topic of underexplored plant diversity and underlying evolutionary and biogeographic processes by investigating the hygrophytic mountain species complex of Cardamine acris s.l. distributed in the Balkans (three subspecies within C. acris) and northwestern Anatolia (C. anatolica). We performed a series of phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses based on restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) and target enrichment (Hyb-Seq) data in combination with habitat suitability modelling. We found C. anatolica as a clade nested within the Balkan C. acris, probably resulting from a founder event, and uncovered three allopatric cryptic lineages within C. acris subsp. acris, allowing us to recognise a total of six entities in this complex. We observed the deepest genetic split within C. acris subsp. acris in the western Balkans, which was at odds with taxonomy and showed no distribution gap. We inferred vicariance as the most likely process for population divergence in the Balkans, accompanied by gene flow between the recognised entities, which was consistent with the modelled habitat suitability dynamics. Furthermore, we discovered several polyploid populations in C. acris, representing both pure intra- and inter-lineage hybrid polyploids, but detected only minor traces of hybridization with related congeners. Overall, our results illustrate that diverse evolutionary processes may influence the history of mountain plant species in the Balkan Peninsula, including vicariance, reticulation, polyploidization and cryptic diversification.

Discreet but diverse and specific: Determining plant‐herbivore interactions across a species‐rich plant family in a tropical rain forest

AbstractStudying plant–herbivore interactions within tropical rain forests is fundamental to understanding their ecology and evolution. An important aspect of plant–herbivore dynamics is the role of temporal and taxonomic variables in determining associations between herbivores and their host. Using the diverse and chemically rich plant family Annonaceae (Magnoliales), we conducted a year‐long study in Ecuador's Yasuní National Park in lowland Amazonia. We focused on nine understory tree species across a broad phylogenetic range within Annonaceae. For these species, we investigated patterns of herbivory, identified herbivores through DNA barcoding, and documented unique ant–butterfly associations. In general, leaf damage ranged from 0.09% to 25%, with significant temporal fluctuations for three species. Notably, Anaxagorea brevipes and Unonopsis veneficiorum faced higher herbivore pressure when compared to the other studied species. We document a discreet but diverse herbivore community, with 40 larvae from 12 Lepidoptera families collected throughout the year. Our findings identify, for the first time across a phylogenetically diverse sampling of Annonaceae, the specialization of herbivores on our focal species. Overall, our data provide valuable information on herbivory patterns at the local scale for this important rain forest plant family. Furthermore, these findings contribute to our understanding of the ecological processes that influence plant species diversity in tropical rain forests.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.

Fortunefuroic Acid J from Keteleeria Hainanensis and its Dual Inhibitory Effects on ATP-Citrate Lyase and Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase.

A previously undescribed triterpenoid (fortunefuroic acid J, 1) was isolated from the endangered conifer Keteleeria hainanensis, along with 20 other known terpenoids. Compound 1 is characterized by an unusual 3,4-seco-9βH-lanost-3-oic acid motif, featuring a rare furoic acid moiety in its lateral chain. The structure elucidation of this compound was achieved through a combination of spectroscopic and computational methods. The C-15 epimers of 15-methoxypinusolidic acid (15R-8 and 15S-9) were successfully separated and identified for the first time. Compound 1 demonstrated dual inhibitory effects against ATP-citrate lyase (ACL, IC50: 0.92 μM) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1, IC50: 10.76 μM). Compounds 2 and 11 exclusively inhibited ACL, exhibiting IC50 values of 2.64 and 6.35 μM, respectively. Compound 1 is classified among the fortunefuroic acid-type compounds, previously isolated from K. fortunei, distinguished by the presence of a rare furoic acid moiety in their lateral chain. The chemotaxonomic significance of the 9βH-lanost-26-oic acids in Keteleeria was briefly discussed. These findings highlight the importance of conserving plant species diversity, thereby enhancing the exploration of structurally diverse compounds and potential avenues for developing new therapeutics targeting ACL/ACC1-associated diseases.

Assessment of diversity of plant species, composition, structure and regeneration status in Gondar Zuria District, Ethiopia

This study assesses the composition, arrangement, and state of regeneration in Gondar Zuria District. The two transect lines over the gradient were set up using a systematic random sample strategy in order to gather the number of species and their diameter for tree species in DBH (cm). The distance between the sample plots was 50 m, and the transect lines were 50 m apart. 12 circular plots were used in the total sample area of the botanical garden, and the sizes of the circular plots were 6.5 m for trees, 4.5 m for saplings, and 2.5 m for seedlings. Using the important value index and the diameter at breast height, the pattern of plant structure displays an inverted J shape. A review of the botanical garden’s plant species’ regeneration status revealed that, of the tree and shrub species, 6.25% had fair regeneration status and 25% had poor regeneration quality. While 56.25% of plant species that were only available as saplings or seedlings were regarded as “new” at the botanical garden, a total of 25% of plant species were not regenerating at all. At the study site, the species diversity as determined by the Shannon-Weiner (H’) index was 1.58. But this value shows the species diversity is included in the low biodiversity range unless they are well managed from disturbance. The species composition of the site shows a few species; only 16 plant species were found. A high number of individual species are found in the Leguminosae family.

Long-term surveys of ungulates' effects on tree and shrub species in mountainous forests -outcomes and potential limits.

Ungulate herbivory might induce different effects on the diversity and growth of trees and shrubs. The density, distribution, and the species of ungulates as well as plant communities' composition and other factors determine whether ungulate herbivory promotes or limits plants' diversity and growth. The impacts of ungulates on woody plants are commonly surveyed with exclosure-control approaches. In practice, such surveys frequently only cover short periods of time, addressing immediate management needs. Long-term surveys, documenting lasting effects of ungulate herbivory, are highly needed, but still rare. However, the general transferability of outcomes of long-term surveys might be limited due to different disturbing factors. This study addresses two basic aspects of long-term monitoring in mountainous forests, based on a unique 30-year data set: (1) Possible long-term effects of herbivores on forest vegetation (e.g., species/structural diversity of woody plants) and (2) potential differences between short-term and long-term surveys in terms of height growth patterns. In our study, diversity of woody plant species showed great variability with no significant impact of ungulate herbivory. The presence of ungulates had a significantly negative effect on the vertical structural diversity and growth of trees. Due to the slower growth on control plots, it took trees longer to reach a 160 cm height-threshold with their terminal shoots than on exclosure plots. Our long-term control-exclosure data set indicated that long-term survey data indeed might differ from growth patterns represented by short-term surveys. This can be induced by several factors, like site-specific growth patterns of trees, occurrences of natural abiotic disturbances that influence the functional life of exclosures, and others.

Halophytic succulence is a driver of the leaf non-structural carbohydrate contents in plants in the arid and hyper-arid deserts of northwestern China.

Non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), primarily sugars and starch, play a crucial role in plant metabolic processes and a plant's ability to tolerate and recover from drought stress. Despite their importance, our understanding of NSC characteristics in the leaves of plants that thrive in hyper-arid and saline environments remains limited. To investigate the variations in leaf NSC across different species and spatial scales, and to explore their possible causes, we collected 488 leaf samples from 49 native plant species at 115 sites in the desert area of northwestern China. The contents of soluble sugars (SS), starch, and total NSC were then determined. The average contents of SS, starch, and total NSC were 26.99, 60.28, and 87.27mg g-1 respectively, which are much lower than those reported for Chinese forest plants and global terrestrial plants. Herbaceous and woody plants had similar NSC levels. In contrast, succulent halophytes, a key component of desert flora, showed significantly lower leaf SS and total NSC contents than non-succulent plants. We observed a strong negative correlation between leaf succulence and SS content, suggesting a role of halophytic succulence in driving multi-species NSC pools. Environmental factors explained a minor portion of the spatial variation in leaf NSC, possibly due to the narrow climatic variation in the study area, and soil properties, particularly soil salinity, emerged as more significant contributors. Our findings increase the understanding of plant adaptation to drought and salt stress, emphasizing the crucial role of halophytic succulence in shaping the intricate dynamics of leaf NSC across diverse plant species in arid and hyper-arid environments.

Intraspecific diversity of multiple plant species shows no change across an urbanization gradient

Intraspecific diversity of multiple plant species shows no change across an urbanization gradient

Montane grassland recovery: lessons from 25 years of the Working for Water program on the northern Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa

Despite their strategic importance as biodiversity hotspots and water sources, montane ecosystems are among the most neglected conservation areas. In particular, the monitoring and management of invasive alien plants in this critical biome is limited. This study presents an analysis of long‐term invasive alien plant removal within montane grassland ecosystems, drawing on insights from 25 years of the Working for Water (WfW) program on the northern Drakensberg Escarpment. We assessed the response of vegetation communities to invasive alien plant removal in this region. Using data from the WfW program on clearance activities, expenditure, and re‐visit times, we compared plant species richness, diversity, and composition in sites managed under the WfW program to adjacent patches of pristine vegetation. Results showed minimal variation in species richness between cleared sites and unmanaged sites. However, these vegetation communities remain distinctly dissimilar across sites. These findings suggest the need for active restoration of montane vegetation communities if they are to return to their natural condition and further highlight the need to conserve the remaining habitats for critically endangered species, even in their depauperate state.

Agricultural legacy shapes plant diversity patterns in mountain grasslands of Maramureș and Bukovina: A cross‐border perspective (Ukraine, Romania)

Abstract We investigated farming practices and grassland plant diversity patterns in the historical regions of Maramureș and Bukovina, located in the central Eastern Carpathians of Romania and Ukraine. We explored the influence of social and historical factors on recent grassland plant diversity, including changes and modifications in land use and grassland management practices. We used stratified random sampling to select 48 grassland parcels in eight villages on the Ukrainian‐Romanian borderlands. We identified the factors that affect the composition and diversity of grassland vascular plants and bryophytes at multiple spatial scales and compared the frequency and timing of historical and recent grassland management practices to distinguish between preserved and modified agricultural traditions. In most of the grassland parcels studied (83% in Romania and 78% in Ukraine), traditional land use persisted. Local plant species richness was primarily influenced by management practices, outweighing the impact of topography and soil factors. Regular mowing at appropriate intensity increased the richness of vascular plants, while grazing promoted the richness of bryophyte species. Modifications to farming systems, observed in all studied villages, were mainly due to declining population and livestock numbers. Although the timing of spring and autumn grazing in hay meadows still adhered to tradition, mowing schedules shifted earlier, especially for the first cut of two‐cut hay meadows. Traditional corralling, fertilization and hayseed application have become rare or discontinued in certain villages, while controlled burning has increased. Past use of mineral fertilizers in Ukrainian villages during the Soviet era influenced the recent diversity and composition of vascular plant species, favouring nutrient‐demanding species. Social factors and agricultural policies indirectly affect biodiversity in semi‐natural grasslands, leaving a tangible footprint even in the most remote areas of the Carpathian Mountains. We provide basic recommendations to preserve the remarkable biodiversity of the region. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Mimosa (Caesalpinioideae, Fabaceae) occurring in the upper Parana River floodplain, Parana and Mato Grosso do Sul states

The vegetation of the Paraná River (PIARP), especially in the floodplain located between the states of Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, consists of a great diversity of plant species, particularly from the Mimosoide clade. Among the genera of the Mimoseae clade that occur in the floodplain, Mimosa deserves to be highlighted, and should be studied. The taxonomic study of Mimosa was carried out through the analysis of vouchers from different herbaria. At PIARP, Mimosa is represented by 17 taxons, 15 species and 4 varieties. Mimosa is considered the second largest genus of the Mimosoideae clade, found in the most diverse environments of PIARP, from tropical and subtropical forests to savannas, desert, pasture and wetlands. The present investigation consists of the survey of the species, identification key, illustrated morphological description, and also includes additional information on the geographic distribution and ecological importance of each species of the genus.

Medicinal Plant Recognition Based on the Seedling Image and Deep Learning

In the realm of botanical science and environmental conservation, identifying medicinal plant species accurately and efficiently is crucial for their sustainable cultivation and conservation. This paper introduces a novel approach that leverages seedling images and deep learning techniques to develop a computer vision system. The system aims to recognize medicinal plants at their early growth stages, a task that is fundamental for effective plant management and preservation efforts. The proposed work utilizes the Inception 3, a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture, trained on a comprehensive dataset of seedling images from diverse medicinal plant species. Evaluating the system's performance with various metrics reveals its exceptional accuracy, reaching up to 97.6% in identifying medicinal plant species. This model holds promise for applications in plant conservation, biodiversity assessment, and the cultivation of medicinal plants.

A Comprehensive Review of Moroccan Medicinal Plants for Diabetes Management.

Moroccan flora, renowned for its diverse medicinal plant species, has long been used in traditional medicine to manage diabetes. This review synthesizes ethnobotanical surveys conducted during the last two decades. Among these plants, 10 prominent Moroccan medicinal plants are evaluated for their phytochemical composition and antidiabetic properties through both in vitro and in vivo studies. The review encompasses a comprehensive analysis of the bioactive compounds identified in these plants, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. Phytochemical investigations revealed a broad spectrum of secondary metabolites contributing to their therapeutic efficacy. In vitro assays demonstrated the significant inhibition of key enzymes α-amylase and α-glucosidase, while in vivo studies highlighted their potential in reducing blood glucose levels and enhancing insulin secretion. Among the ten plants, notable examples include Trigonella foenum-graecum, Nigella Sativa, and Artemisia herba-alba, each showcasing distinct mechanisms of action, such as enzymatic inhibition and the modulation of glucose metabolism pathways. This review underscores the necessity for further chemical, pharmacological, and clinical research to validate the antidiabetic efficacy of these plants and their active compounds, with a view toward their potential integration into therapeutic practices.

Gaining or cutting SLAC: the evolution of plant guard cell signalling pathways.

The evolution of adjustable stomatal pores, enabling CO2 acquisition, was one of the most significant events in the development of life on land. Here, we investigate how the guard cell signalling pathways that regulate stomatal movements evolved. We compare fern and angiosperm guard cell transcriptomes and physiological responses, and examine the functionality of ion channels from diverse plant species. We find that, despite conserved expression in guard cells, fern anion channels from the SLAC/SLAH family are not activated by the same abscisic acid (ABA) pathways that provoke stomatal closure in angiosperms. Accordingly, we find an insensitivity of fern stomata to ABA. Moreover, our analysis points to a complex evolutionary history, featuring multiple gains and/or losses of SLAC activation mechanisms, as these channels were recruited to a role in stomatal closure. Our results show that the guard cells of flowering and nonflowering plants share similar core features, with lineage-specific and ecological niche-related adaptations, likely underlying differences in behaviour.

Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in the mountainous regions of Semnan Province, Iran

In mountainous areas, wild edible plants are an important part of the local diet. Climate change and anthropogenic activities have profound effects on wild edible plants in these areas. Ethnobotanical studies are important for understanding the use patterns and harvest impacts on these plants. In this regard, the Shahrood region, with its diverse historical/ethnic background, is an appropriate starting point to investigate exploitation patterns and impacts of harvest of wild edible plants. During 2021–2022, ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in 12 villages in the region using semi-structured interviews and participatory observations. Data collection included assessing wild edible plant species diversity, their habitats, collection time and quantities, plant parts used and methods of consumption and preparation. The data were analyzed using use report indicators, relative frequency of citations, and use value (UV). A total of 1086 use reports were documented from a total of 44 interviews. A total of 67 wild species (66 plants and 1 fungus) belonging to 54 genera and 24 families were used as edible in the study area. Rosaceae (9 species), Apiaceae (8), Lamiaceae (8), Asteraceae (7), and Amaryllidaceae (5) were the families with the most reported species. Allium (5 species) was the most diverse genus in terms of species diversity. Herbs were the most commonly used life form (79.1%), followed by shrubs (13.4%) and trees (6%). The most consumed plant parts were young leaves (25%) and young aerial parts (21.4%). There were 13 use categories identified. The majority of edible plants were collected in April–May, mainly from areas nearby villages (37.7%) and rangelands (33.7%). The most important edible plants in the study area were Allium iranicum (Wendelbo) Wendelbo (UV = 1.7), Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. (1.5), Allium umbilicatum Boiss. (1.47), Tragopogon graminifolius DC. (1.38), Lepidium draba L. (1.27), Urtica dioica L. (1.18), Falcaria vulgaris Bernh. (1.13), Malva neglecta Wallr. (1.11) and Eremurus sp. (1.09). Our results showed diverse and valuable knowledge for wild edible plants in this region, which should be considered in the conservation and management plans in the region.

Relationship Between Evolutionary Diversity and Aboveground Biomass During 150 Years of Natural Vegetation Regeneration in Temperate China.

While the link between plant species diversity and biomass has been well-studied, the impact of evolutionary diversity on community biomass across long timescales or ongoing change remains a subject of debate. We elucidated the association between evolutionary diversity and community aboveground biomass (AGB) using an ideal experimental system with over 150-year history of natural vegetation regeneration. Higher phylogenetic diversity facilitated the sampling effect under the influence of environmental filtering, and caused an increase in AGB. Phylogenetic structure varied from aggregation to dispersion during the later period of vegetation recovery (70-150 years), which was correlated with increases in niche complementarity and increasing AGB. Woody plant evolutionary diversity was used as a key to predict the relationship between vegetation recovery and AGB, with a total explanatory power of ~84.7%. Mixed forests composed of evergreen conifers and deciduous broadleaf forests had higher carbon sequestration potential than that of pure forests, which is advantageous for increasing top-stage AGB. This research expands our knowledge of the causes and effects of biodiversity and ecosystem function dynamics over time and space, which is important for accurately predicting future climate change effects.