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

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132346
• Publication Date: 2015-07-16T17:48:10Z
• Authors: Shanshan Song; Xuehua Liu; Xueliang Bai; Yanbin Jiang; Xianzhou Zhang; Chengqun Yu; Xiaoming Shao
• Keywords: Pottiaceae; Canonical correspondence analysis

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