Abstract: 

The factors influencing urban plant diversity in tropical cities remain underexplored. To address this gap, we conducted comprehensive field surveys and remote sensing analyses in Danzhou, Hainan Province, focusing specifically on urban functional units. Our study quantified the diversity of trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, spontaneous species, and cultivated species, employing spatial autocorrelation analysis to assess their relationships with land cover, socioeconomic factors, greening management practices, and landscape patterns. Our results revealed that recreational and leisure areas contained the highest proportions of urban green space, while transportation zones had the lowest. Herbaceous plants were predominant across key urban functional units, and cultivated species consistently outnumbered spontaneous species. Notably, the richness of tree species correlated positively with the age of urban construction, indicating a legacy effect. Additionally, effective greening management practices, such as watering and fertilization, were essential for enhancing plant diversity, and landscape pattern indices significantly affected species richness. These findings provide valuable insights for managing urban plant diversity in Danzhou and contribute to the understanding of the driving factors behind plant diversity in tropical urban environments.

See more: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2024.128651