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Moss species richness along elevational gradient in a temperate semi-humid monsoon climate mountain of China
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  • De Gao,
  • Jiaxing Sun,
  • Yan Li,
  • Zhen Cao,
  • Jiancheng Zhao
De Gao
Hebei Normal University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Jiaxing Sun
Hebei Normal University
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Yan Li
Hebei Normal University
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Zhen Cao
Hebei College of Industry and Technology
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Jiancheng Zhao
Hebei Normal University
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Abstract

The utility of elevational gradients as tools to test either ecological hypotheses and delineate elevation-associated environmental factors that explain the species diversity patterns is critical for moss species conservation. We examined the elevational patterns of species richness and evaluated the effects of spatial and environmental factors on moss species predicted a priori by alternative hypotheses, including mid-domain effect (MDE), habitat complexity, energy, and environment proposed to explain the variation of diversity. Last, we assessed the contribution of elevation toward explaining the heterogeneity among sampling sites. We observed the hump-shaped distribution pattern of species richness along elevational gradient. The MDE and the habitat complexity hypothesis were supported with MDE being the primary driver for richness patterns, whereas little support was found for the energy, and the environment. Moss species richness pattern in the mountain is driven by ecological and evolutionary effects, whereas evolutionary factors predominately shape the large heterogeneity through dispersal, extinction and speciation processes.
08 Jul 2020Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
09 Jul 2020Submission Checks Completed
09 Jul 2020Assigned to Editor
21 Sep 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Oct 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
20 Nov 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
14 Dec 20201st Revision Received
15 Dec 2020Submission Checks Completed
15 Dec 2020Assigned to Editor
15 Dec 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
31 Mar 2021Editorial Decision: Accept