Effects of hydrological regime on development of Carex wet meadows in East Dongting Lake, a Ramsar Wetland for wintering waterbirds

• DOI: 10.1038/srep41761
• Publication Date: 2017-02-06T14:23:15Z
• Authors: Lei Jing; Cai Lu; Yan Xia; Linlu Shi; Aojie Zuo; Jialing Lei; Hong Zhang; Guangchun Lei; Li Wen
• Keywords: Carex; Ramsar site; Water balance

Abstract Wet meadows are one of the most important ecological components in floodplain, and among dynamic ecosystems. Understanding development wet contributing environmental factors can provide better support for wetland management. Carex East Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve (EDLNNR) vital wintering ground thousands migratory waterbirds, their functions under threated due to hydrological alternation. We measured meadow expansion EDLNNR from 1989 2014, explored its responses climatic within generalised additive models (GAM) framework. found an overall over study period. However, contrast many previous studies, our results showed that water level fluctuations at hydrologic indicator site had only limited impacts on development. Instead, sampling year, timing recession, local rainfall exerted significant effects. The effects year reflected changes sedimentation Lake; withdrawal might be explained by life history dominant sedge species. Our suggested large scale alternation vegetation may operate indirectly through sediment balance.