Responses of plant diversity to seasonal changes in the lakeside wetland of Bosten Lake

Studying the response of biodiversity to seasonal changes is important for maintaining ecosystem stability, protecting biodiversity, and analyzing community construction mechanisms. Here, we explored changes in species and functional diversity of plant communities in the Bosten Lake wetlands in different seasons. Results showed that: (1) the species diversity index did not change significantly with season. For the functional diversity index, functional richness gradually decreased from spring to summer, functional dispersion gradually increased, and functional uniformity showed no significant difference in different seasons. (2) Significant differences were found in plant functional traits in different seasons. Chlorophyll content was significantly lower in spring than in summer; specific leaf area and dry matter content were significantly higher in summer than in autumn; and water content and thickness of leaves increased from spring to autumn. (3) The main environmental factors affecting the Pielou index and functional richness were soil ammonium nitrogen and available phosphorus, respectively; the main environmental factor affecting the Shannon-Wiener index, Simpson index, and functional uniformity was soil organic matter; and the main environmental factor affecting functional dispersion was soil water content. (4) The main environmental factors affecting maximum plant height and leaf dry matter content were soil pH and available potassium, respectively; the main environmental factor affecting leaf dry matter content was soil available potassium; the main environmental factor affecting leaf thickness and specific leaf area was soil total phosphorus; the main environmental factor affecting leaf water content was soil nitrate nitrogen; and chlorophyll content and soil factors showed no significant correlation.