PS 49-259 - The impact of plant communities and hydrological factors on plant species richness in riverine wetlands

Abstract: Among wetlands in Korea, riverine wetlands account for the largest area (66.3%). Riverine wetlands provide important functions such as water purification, nutrient cycling, and habitat for various wild plants and animals. This study was designed to determine the factors that determine the plant species richness of the riverine wetlands in Korea. The literature analysis revealed that various factors such as plant communities, hydrological characteristics (e.g. fluctuations in water levels), soil textures, and nutrients contribute to plant species richness in riverine wetlands. According to the national wetland survey project from 2016 to 2021, a total of 817 types of plant communities existed in the riverine wetland in Korea. Among these plant communities, Phragmites japonicus communities (32.3%), P. australis communities (17.8%), Salix pierotii communities (6.7%), Miscanthus sacchariflorus communities (6.5%), and Humulus scandens communities (3.2%) showed the largest area. According to the field survey of 18 types of plant communities, the number of emerged plant species varied from 4/m² to 10/m² depending on the plant community. The communities dominated by invasive plants such as P. japonicus P. australis, and H. scandens had a large area but the number of emerged plant species was low. Also, according to the preliminary analysis of 19 riverine wetlands, the difference in the number of emerged plant species by communities explained the wetland species richness significantly (r² = 0.2, p < 0.1). Additionally, we will analyze how hydrological factors affect plant species richness. To develop a model, we plan to conduct field and literature surveys to collect data on emerged plant species, plant communities, hydrological factors, altitude, the width of the river channel, and the presence of weirs in approximately 30 riverine wetlands. Also using the line intercept sampling along a cross-section of the wetland, we will survey the number of emerged plant species. Hydrological variables will be obtained from government-managed water level gauge. This study can enhance our understanding of plant species composition in riverine wetlands. In addition, this study has important implications for the management of wetland biodiversity, as we understand the impact of factors that may affect hydrological characteristics, such as weir construction, on plant species richness. This research was supported by Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI) through ‘Wetland Ecosystem Value Evaluation and Carbon Absorption Value Promotion Technology Development Project’, funded by Korea Ministry of Environment (MOE) (2022003640003).