Spatial heterogeneity of tree diversity changes in montane forests under climate warming

Many studies reported biotic change along a continental warming gradient. The temporal and spatial change of tree diversity and their sensitivity to climate warming might differ from region to region. however, understanding of the variation among studies with regard to the magnitude of such biotic changes is minimal, especially for montane ecosystems. To better understand spatial heterogeneity and temporal dynamics of mountain trees community change under climate warming over the past four decades. We re-surveyed and recorded all tree species from 107 long-term monitoring plots since 1974 in 2017 to study the changes of tree community composition of montane forests in the Giant Panda National Park. Our results showed that spatial differences were found in tree species diversity changes in response to climate warming over the past four decades. Tree species richness and abundance of montane forests increased over time in all our study area, except Liangshan (LS), especially in XiaoXiangL...