JOURNAL OF NANJING FORESTRY UNIVERSITY ›› 2021, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (6): 119-126.doi: 10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202006063

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Modeling the degree of coupling relationship between plant community diversity and soil properties on typical urban roads in Nanjing

XU Jingyuan1(), SHENG Qianqian1, WANG Weixi1, LIU Congzhe1, ZHU Zunling1,2,*()   

  1. 1. Co-Innovation Center for the Sustainable Forestry in Southern China,College of Landscape Architecture,Nanjing Forestry University,Nanjing 210037,China
    2. College of Art & Design,Nanjing Forestry University,Nanjing 210037,China;
  • Received:2020-06-30 Accepted:2021-02-15 Online:2021-11-30 Published:2021-12-02
  • Contact: ZHU Zunling E-mail:xujingyuan@njfu.edu.cn;zhuzunling@njfu.edu.cn

Abstract:

【Objective】 The plant-soil system has a complex mechanism of action. We aimed to reveal the limiting factors for the positive succession of plant communities on urban roads as well as screen for the best plant community types. We expect the results of this study to provide a theoretical guidance for soil management and protection, and provide data supports for redesigning urban road green landscapes. 【Method】 Three urban roads (Jiangbei Avenue, Honesty Avenue and Xianlin Avenue) that ranked high in the air pollution level in Nanjing, China, were regarded as research objects. Typical plant communities were selected for field surveys and the soil sampling analysis. According to the lifestyle of the plant, the community was divided into the following categories: single-layer, double-layer, three-layer and four-layer communities. The degree of coupling and interaction between plant community diversity and soil properties were measured using the gray correlation model. 【Result】 With the increase in community hierarchy, the level of species diversity showed an upward trend. The four-layer community had the highest soil water content, and the contents of soil organic matter, soil total nitrogen and soil available potassium showed an increasing trend with an increase in the community level. Soil properties were more likely to affect the uniformity of plant distributions than plant species, which experienced a minimal impact. Soil total potassium, soil bulk density, soil organic matter, soil total nitrogen, soil total phosphorus and soil pH were the main limiting factors for the vegetation growth. The correlation with plant factors was greater than 0.90 (a strong correlation). With the increase in community hierarchy, the degree of coupling of the plant-soil system increased. 【Conclusion】 Plant communities with high structural levels have a strong ecosystem stability. Considering environmental conditions and transportation needs, the recommendation for urban road greening is a four-layer community with a rich community structure.

Key words: urban road, community type, soil property, coupling relationship, Nanjing City

CLC Number: