The relationship between species diversity and biomass in the herbaceous layer of seven plantations

Qin Yu, Yang Guanghui, Jin Guangze, Pang Chen, Cui Junteng, Zhong Jiechao, Zhao Yun, Song Yujun, Geng Pengfei

Journal of Nanjing Forestry University (Natural Sciences Edition） ›› 2026, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (5) : 199-208.

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南京林业大学学报（自然科学版）
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Journal of Nanjing Forestry University (Natural Sciences Edition） ›› 2026, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (5) : 199-208. DOI: 10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202503034

The relationship between species diversity and biomass in the herbaceous layer of seven plantations

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Abstract

【Objective】This study analyzed the species diversity and biomass of the herbaceous layer across different plantation types in Qingdao, as well as their correlation, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the scientific management of plantation forests in the region 【Method】Focusing on seven major types of artificial forests in Qingdao, the species composition, abundance, and cover of the herb layer were systematically recorded using the plot survey method. Simultaneously, the total harvest method was employed to obtain the fresh aboveground biomass of the herb layer, which was then oven-dried in the laboratory to convert it into dry biomass. Based on the survey data, the α-diversity indices of herb layer plants in each forest type were calculated, including the species richness index, Shannon-Wiener index, Simpson index, and Pielou’s Evenness index. One-way ANOVA was used to test the species diversity and biomass of the herb layer in different forest types. The correlation between herb layer species diversity and biomass across forest types was analyzed using a General Linear Model (GLM), and Hierarchical Partitioning (HP) was applied to quantify the explanatory power of stand characteristics, soil factors, and species diversity on the variation of herb layer biomass. 【Result】(1) The herbaceous layer species composition varied significantly among the seven plantation types, with low community similarity. (2) Herb layer biomass in Robinia pseudoacacia plantation was significantly higher than that in other forest types (P<0.05). The species richness in Populus nigra plantation, Shannon-Wiener diversity index in Pinus thunbergii plantation, and species evenness index in Pinus thunbergii-P. densiflora plantation were significantly higher than those in R. pseudoacacia plantation (P<0.05). The Simpson diversity index in R. pseudoacacia plantation was significantly higher than that in Quercus acutissima plantations (P<0.05). (3) In Pinus thunbergii-P. densiflora plantation, Populus nigra plantation, and R. pseudoacacia plantation, the herbaceous layer biomass showed a significant positive correlation with species diversity indices (P<0.05). In contrast, Pinus densiflora plantation and Q. acutissima plantation exhibited a significant unimodal relationship between biomass and species diversity (P<0.05). No significant correlation was found between biomass and species diversity indices in the remaining forest types. (4) In Pinus densiflora plantation, Q. acutissima plantation, and Pinus thunbergii-R. pseudoacacia plantation, soil factors exhibited the highest explanatory power for biomass variation (35.6%, 67.0%, and 69.6%, respectively). In Pinus thunbergii plantation and Populus nigra plantation, stand characteristics showed the greatest explanatory power (50.4% and 68.5%, respectively). For R. pseudoacacia plantation and Pinus thunbergii-P. densiflora plantation, species diversity had the highest explanatory power (45.6% and 52.7%, respectively). 【Conclusion】The relationship between species diversity index and biomass in different forest types shows significant positive correlation, unimodal correlation, and no significant correlation. The explanatory power of stand characteristics and soil factors for biomass is higher than that for species diversity, and the degree of influence varies depending on the stand type.

Key words

herbaceous layer of plantation / species diversity / biomass / stand characteristics / soil factor / Qingdao City

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Qin Yu , Yang Guanghui , Jin Guangze , et al . The relationship between species diversity and biomass in the herbaceous layer of seven plantations[J]. Journal of Nanjing Forestry University (Natural Sciences Edition）. 2026, 50(5): 199-208 https://doi.org/10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202503034

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