Data from: A guild-based framework for restoring plant diversity on reservoir shorelines through active plant introduction
Data files
Mar 13, 2025 version files 637.92 KB
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DataFile1_LME_Tukey(Code1).csv
16.70 KB
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DataFile10_Traits_of_the_common_species_in_free-flowing_rivers.csv
3.56 KB
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DataFile11_Water_level_of_the_TGR(2008-2018).csv
66.52 KB
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DataFile2_All_subset_regression(Code2).csv
19.78 KB
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DataFile3_ANOSIM(Code3).csv
369.77 KB
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DataFile4_adjusted_guild_matrix(Code4)_.csv
1.10 KB
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DataFile5_PCoA(Code4).csv
4.63 KB
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DataFile6_Traits_of_the_common_species_in_reservoir_shorelines(Code5).csv
2.97 KB
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DataFile7_Abundance_matrix(Code5).csv
134.31 KB
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DataFile8_Slope_and_substrate_fineness(Code6).csv
12 KB
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DataFile9_Submergence_duration(Code7).csv
1.08 KB
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README.md
5.49 KB
Abstract
Reservoir shorelines of regulated rivers, created by over 2.8 million dams worldwide, have experienced substantial biodiversity loss, particularly in plant communities. While actively introducing local riparian plants is a common restoration strategy, existing approaches often lack applicability and transferability across river basins. To address this, we propose a guild-based restoration framework that classifies plant species used for restoration into guilds based on shared functional traits and adaptive strategies. This approach allows for evaluating restoration outcomes across guilds along environmental gradients, optimizing restoration design. We tested this framework along the shorelines of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), characterized by steep environmental gradients. Plant guilds were identified based on shared functional traits, focusing on hydrological and geomorphological associations. The effectiveness of guild introductions was assessed across gradients of submergence intensity, topography, and substrate properties by comparing outcomes to those of spontaneous colonization. Results showed that under intermediate and high submergence intensity, active plant introduction and spontaneous colonization yielded similar restoration outcomes, with short-clonal flood-tolerant herbs naturally dominating. At low submergence intensity, the introduction of flood-tolerant woody plants increased functional diversity, whereas tall-clonal flood-tolerant herbs reduced diversity due to competitive exclusion. Actively introduced plants did not suppress invasive species. Unexpectedly, under intermediate submergence intensity, introduction was associated with increased invasive plant presence.
Synthesis and applications. Our study validates the guild-based framework as an effective approach for shoreline vegetation restoration in regulated rivers. We show that guild identity and submergence intensity jointly shape restoration outcomes, offering insights for optimizing active plant introduction strategies in the TGR and similar reservoirs in the upper Yangtze River. Furthermore, this framework enhances the transferability of restoration practices by offering a functionally driven approach to species selection across river basins.
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.stqjq2cd8
Description of the data and file structure
Dataset Description
This dataset accompanies the article "A guild-based framework for restoring plant diversity in reservoir shorelines through active plant introduction". It includes 22 restoration sites established through active plant introduction, as well as 6 spontaneously colonized sites. This dataset serves as a resource for testing the proposed guild-based framework along the shorelines of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR).
Structure and Content
The dataset is organized into eleven primary tables:
DataFile1_LME&Tukey
These data were used to build linear mixed-effects models and perform Tukey's post-hoc tests. The dataset includes four diversity metrics, including the Shannon-Wiener index, functional dispersion (FDis), and the relative richness and cover of invasive species at PI and SC sites.
DataFile2_All_subset_regression
These data were used to build all-subset regression models to identify key variables influencing restoration outcomes (Shannon-Wiener index, functional dispersion, and the relative richness and cover of invasive species) and their interactions.
DataFile3_ ANOSIM
Data on the plant community composition of each plot, including the presence and absence of each species and the projected coverage of those species.
DataFile4_ adjusted_guild_matrix
Data on the functional guilds of common riparian species.
DataFile5_PCoA
Data on Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA). Data on the plant community composition of each plot, including the presence and absence of each species and the projected coverage of those species.
DataFile6_Traits of the common species in reservoir shorelines
Data on ten functional traits of common species in the shorelines of the Three Gorges Reservoir.
DataFile7_Abunance matrix
Data on the plant community composition of each plot, including the presence and absence of each species and the projected coverage of those species.
DataFile8_Slope and substrate fineness
Data on the slope and substrate fineness of each plot along the shoreline elevation at each site.
DataFile9_Submergence duration
Data on average number of days per year that specific elevations of the TGR shorelines are submerged.
DataFile10_Traits of the common species in free-flowing rivers
Data on ten functional traits of common species in the riparian zones of free-flowing rivers in the upper Yangtze River.
DataFile11_Water level of the TGR (20082018)
Data on the daily water level of the TGR from 2008 to 2018.
Glossary of Variables and Abbreviations
Here is the list arranged in alphabetical order:
C% S% R%: The proportion of CSR strategy.
Dispersal_vector:Dispersal vector. Typical dispersal mode.
Duration (days): Average number of days per year that specific elevations of the TGR shorelines are submerged.
elevation (m): Elevation of the reservoir shorelines
FDis: Functional dispersion.
Flood_tolerance: Flood tolerance. Tolerance to different flood intensities.
guild: Plant guild.
guild_plot:Study plot for each introduced guild.
Invasiveness: The invasiveness of species.
Life_form: Life span.
Max_height: Maximum height. Distance fromthe ground to the highest tissue.
PI: Plant-introduced (PI) sites.
plot: Study plot.
relative_invasive_cover: Relative cover of invasive species.
relative_invasive_number: Relative richness of invasive species.
Reproduction_type: Reproduction type. Sexual or asexual, classified by reproduction structure.
Root_morphology: Root morphology.
SC: Spontaneously-colonized (SC) sites.
Shannon_Wiener: Shannon-Wiener diversity index.
Shoot_growth_form: Shoot growth form. Structural characteristics ofthe shoot.
site: Study sites.
Slope: Slope of the surveyed plot.
Specific_leaf_area: Specific leaf area. One-sided area per unit mass, relevant to growth rate.
Substrate_texture: Substrate fineness of the surveyed plot.
water level (m): Water level of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR).
Code Description
Code1_LME&Tukey: Performs Linear Mixed-Effects Models (LME) analysis and Tukey's post-hoc tests. The dataset used is DataFile1_LME&Tukey(Code1).
Code2_All_subset_regression: Conducts all-subset regression analysis. The dataset used is DataFile2_All_subset_regression(Code2).
Code3_ANOSIM: Compares plant community composition under different restoration methods using Analysis of Similarities (ANOSIM). The dataset used is DataFile3_ANOSIM(Code3).
Code4_PCoA: Performs Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) to visualize classification patterns. The dataset used is DataFile4_adjusted_guild_matrix(Code4) and DataFile5_PCoA(Code4).
Code5_Functional_diversity: Computes functional dispersion (FDis). The dataset used is DataFile6_Traits of the common species in reservoir shorelines(Code5) and DataFile7_Abundance matrix(Code5).
Code6_t_test: Assesses differences in slope and substrate fineness between study sites using a t-test. The dataset used is DataFile8_Slope and substrate fineness(Code6).
Code7_Duration: Compares the inundation duration of reservoir shorelines at different elevations. The dataset used is DataFile9_Submergence duration(Code7).