Niche and interspecific linkage of dominant herbaceous plants in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River wetlands in Henan

This study focused on the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River wetlands in Henan Province, analyzing the ecological niche and interspecific associations among 19 dominant herbaceous plant species in the area to provide a basis for the ecological restoration and scientific management of these wetlands. Results showed that a total of 116 herbaceous plant species were surveyed in the area, with significant differences in ecological niches observed among the 19 dominant herbaceous plant species. Overall, there was a significant positive correlation in interspecific associations in the wetlands, identifying two pairs of species that exhibited AC values≥0.4 in both the middle and lower reaches. The interspecific associations among dominant species were weak, indicating strong species independence. These findings suggest that the wetland plant communities in the Yellow River region are undergoing positive succession, but the process is unstable and still in the early stages. Regarding ecological restoration, it is recommended to prioritize pioneer plants with high ecological niche breadth and strong adaptability, such as Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. and Cyperus rotundus L., to accelerate the succession process.