Shell sand properties and vegetative distribution on shell ridges of the Southwestern Coast of Bohai Bay

Abstract

Little information is available about shell ridge ecosystems. Vegetative distribution and shell sand properties were investigated on a shell ridge in the Binzhou National Shell Ridge and Wetland Nature Reserve. 21 plant species were observed in the study area and, according to the Shannon-Weiner Index and species evenness, vegetative cover, and abundance varied significantly at different sites (P < 0.05). Sand percent, dissolved organic C, total N, and available N concentrations were significantly higher in the upper layers, while total and available P and K concentrations were significantly higher in the lower profile. Plant species were divided into three groups based on canonical correspondence analysis. Group A included 10 plant species, and was well correlated with high available nutrient concentrations (dissolved organic C, and available N, P, and K) and sand moisture. Groups B and C were well correlated with total K, P and salinity. Thus shell sand properties affected the spatial distribution of vegetation in the study area. Due to the coarse texture, salinity was less than 0.4% and much lower than in adjacent soils. Ten salt-sensitive plant species were found, accounting for 48% of the total plant species. Shell sand is therefore imperative to shell ridge ecosystem sustainability, and shell sand mining should be prohibited in the area.Little information is available about shell ridge ecosystems. Vegetative distribution and shell sand properties were investigated on a shell ridge in the Binzhou National Shell Ridge and Wetland Nature Reserve. 21 plant species were observed in the study area and, according to the Shannon-Weiner Index and species evenness, vegetative cover, and abundance varied significantly at different sites (P < 0.05). Sand percent, dissolved organic C, total N, and available N concentrations were significantly higher in the upper layers, while total and available P and K concentrations were significantly higher in the lower profile. Plant species were divided into three groups based on canonical correspondence analysis. Group A included 10 plant species, and was well correlated with high available nutrient concentrations (dissolved organic C, and available N, P, and K) and sand moisture. Groups B and C were well correlated with total K, P and salinity. Thus shell sand properties affected the spatial distribution of vegetation in the study area. Due to the coarse texture, salinity was less than 0.4% and much lower than in adjacent soils. Ten salt-sensitive plant species were found, accounting for 48% of the total plant species. Shell sand is therefore imperative to shell ridge ecosystem sustainability, and shell sand mining should be prohibited in the area