Work

Spatial-temporal distribution pattern of flower color in flowering plants of Gongga Mountain and their influencing factors

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objective Plant functional traits can effectively characterize plant adaptation to environmental changes，and flower color is one of the important functional traits of plant sexual reproduction.Exploring the spatial and temporal distribution pattern and influencing factors in flower color of flowering plants in Gongga Mountain is of of significant scientific value for understanding the evolutionary mechanisms of floral traits in alpine ecosystems and providing theoretical support for biodiversity conservation in mountainous regions. Method The flower color of flowering plants in Gongga Mountain were investigated along 9 altitude gradients from May，July and September of 2018 and 2019，the characteristics such as flower color and flowering date were recorded.The vegetation characteristics of different altitude gradients，climate factors and human activity interference were combined with geospatial analysis techniques and regression models to explore the spatio-temporal variation of the species proportion of different flower colors in Gongga Mountain and its relationship with environmental factors. Result （1）White flowers account for the highest proportion of plant species in Gongga Mountain，up to 27%，followed by yellow and purple flowers，accounting for 22% and 17%，respectively.There are significant differences in the proportion of flower color types among different life forms of plant species.In both trees and shrubs，white flowers account for 54% and 30%，respectively；in herbs，yellow flowers account for 25%，and in vines，red and purple flowers account for 25%.（2）Along the altitude gradient，the proportions of flower color species along the altitudinal gradient exhibit regular patterns.The flower colors of plant species at low altitude are mainly red，those at middle altitude were mainly red and white，and those at high altitude were mostly purple，yellow and blue.（3）The composition of plant species with different flower colors varies across survey months.July exhibits the highest flower color diversity，with white-flowered species accounting for the largest proportion in May，July，and September，followed by yellow-flowered species.（4）The proportion of blue，yellow and purple flower species along the altitude gradient is significantly correlated with climatic factors and human influence index，suggesting that the flower color pattern of Gongga Mountain is jointly regulated by climatic conditions and human interference. Conclusion The flower colors of plant species in Gongga Mountain exhibit significant spatial variation patterns along altitudinal gradients and monthly dynamic patterns.The formation of temporal and spatial pattern of flower color of flowering plants is not only regulated by climatic factors such as temperature，precipitation and evapotranspiration，but also related to the interference of human activities.Further research on the evolutionary ecology of flower color is needed to provide more first-hand information for understanding and protecting plant diversity.

Source: ACTA AGRICULTURAE UNIVERSITATIS JIANGXIENSIS

DOI: 10.3724/aauj.2025033