Effects of Edaphic Factors at Different Depths on β-Diversity Patterns for Subtropical Plant Communities Based on MS-GDM in Southern China

Previous research on the relationship between edaphic factors and species diversity patterns has mostly focused topsoil 0 30 cm, with less attention paid to deeper layers where many plant root systems are concentrated. Since considering might help unravel maintenance mechanisms of diversity, in present study we explored vegetation β-diversity a comprehensive set soil chemical attributes at different depths. Based data from subtropical broad-leaved forest plots Nanling Mountains, China, analyzed driving trees, shrubs, herbs using multi-site generalized dissimilarity modeling (MS-GDM). We found that composition area was highly diversified dominated by turnover components. Topsoil properties were best explainers for trees (52.5%), followed (40.3%) shrubs (21.8%). With increase depth, especially depth >60 elements gradually lost explanatory power. Regarding it mainly affected altitude available nitrogen (AN), total iron (Fe), nickel (Ni) content 0–60 cm depth. Concerning altitude, geographical distance, nutrient above 40 cm. The main boron (B), cadmium (Cd), 0–40 soil. Overall, our results suggest environmental filtration process driven factors, dispersal limitations represented communities.