Differential responses of forest strata species richness to paleoclimate and forest structure

Regional factors, such as historical and contemporary climate conditions, local vegetation structural attributes, can influence current patterns of plant species richness but their relative roles remain unknown, particularly across forest strata. Here, we used a multi-scale survey temperate plots large region Northeast China to explore the importance environmental factors (paleoclimate, climate, topography anthropogenic disturbance) attributes (stem abundance, stand basal area tree size variation) on tree, shrub, herb richness. Although all played role in explaining patterns, varied direction magnitude depending stratum. Tree increased with change temperature since Last Glacial Maximum (AnomalyMAT) declined increasing precipitation (AnomalyMAP). By contrast, AnomalyMAT AnomalyMAP, highlighting contrasting processes for driven by paleoclimate. Contemporary lesser richness, diurnal range, shrub climatic moisture index, both variables. Herb also disturbance intensity, whereas declined. Overall, significantly except stem which had negative effect structure mediated linkages between or climate. The pronounced paleoclimate highlights potential threat diversity. Together, simultaneous consideration past well could improve our understanding complex mechanisms shaping