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A biodiversity evaluation framework for restoration of aquatic macrophyte communities in shallow lakes driven by hydrological process management: case study for the Baiyangdian Lake marsh
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  • Shuhan LI,
  • Tao Sun,
  • Wei Yang,
  • Baoshan CUI,
  • Xinan Yin
Shuhan LI
Beijing Normal University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Tao Sun
Beijing Normal University
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Wei Yang
Beijing Normal University
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Baoshan CUI
Beijing Normal University
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Xinan Yin
Beijing Normal University
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Abstract

Macrophyte community diversity and composition respond to ecosystem conservation and local environmental factors. In this study, we developed a multidimensional diversity framework for macrophyte communities, including the taxonomic and functional alpha and beta diversity. We used the framework to explore the relationships among water level regimes and these diversity parameters in a case study of China’s Baiyangdian Lake. Analysis of indicators of hydrologic alteration divided the water level from 1959 to 2019 into four regimes (dry, <6.42 m; low, 6.42 to 7.23 m; medium, 7.23 to 8.19 m; high, >8.19 m). Alpha and beta diversity were significantly higher in the medium regime than in the low and high regimes. Redundancy analysis indicated that the maximum water depth significantly affected taxonomic alpha diversity, and total nitrogen (TN) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration significantly affected functional alpha diversity, respectively. Mantel tests showed that TN, Secchi depth, and water depth in the high water level regime significantly increased the total beta diversity and turnover components. TN was the main factor that increased total taxonomic beta diversity. Interspecific competition decreased with the decreasing range (variation) of TN values and differed opposite with the variation of COD values in response to increasing water level, and reached its maximum in the medium regime. Ecosystem stability was promoted by maintaining high species richness and evenness and high differences among communities, and by reducing competition. Based on our results, the water level should be maintained between the medium and high water level regimes to promote restoration of the macrophyte community and improve ecosystem stability.
01 Jun 2020Submitted to Hydrological Processes
02 Jun 2020Submission Checks Completed
02 Jun 2020Assigned to Editor
02 Jun 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
20 Aug 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
20 Aug 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Major
17 Sep 20201st Revision Received
17 Sep 2020Assigned to Editor
17 Sep 2020Submission Checks Completed
17 Sep 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
10 Oct 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
19 Oct 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
06 Nov 20202nd Revision Received
09 Nov 2020Assigned to Editor
09 Nov 2020Submission Checks Completed
09 Nov 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
14 Nov 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
16 Nov 2020Editorial Decision: Accept