Biogeosciences, 15, 2991–3002, 2018 https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-2991-2018 © Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Calcium content and high calcium adaptation of plants in karst areas of southwestern Hunan, China Xiaocong Wei1, Xiangwen Deng1,2, Wenhua Xiang1,2, Pifeng Lei1,2, Shuai Ouyang1,2, Hongfang Wen1, and Liang Chen1,2 1Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan Province, China 2Huitong National Field Station for Scientific Observation and Research of Chinese Fir Plantation Ecosystem in Hunan Province, Huitong 438107, China Correspondence: Xiangwen Deng (
[email protected]) Received: 26 September 2017 – Discussion started: 23 November 2017 Revised: 22 April 2018 – Accepted: 25 April 2018 – Published: 17 May 2018 Abstract. Rocky desertification is a major ecological prob- tween the aboveground and belowground parts of the 17 lem of land degradation in karst areas. In these areas, the dominant species were calculated, and their correlations with high soil calcium (Ca) content has become an important envi- soil ECa content were analyzed. The results showed that ronmental factor that can affect the restoration of vegetation. these 17 species can be divided into three categories: Ca- Consequently, the screening of plant species that can adapt indifferent plants, high-Ca plants, and low-Ca plants. These to high Ca soil environments is a critical step in vegetation findings provide a vital theoretical basis and practical guide restoration. In this study, three grades of rocky desertifica- for vegetation restoration and ecosystem reconstruction in tion sample areas were selected in karst areas of southwest- rocky desertification areas.