Fig. 4 Changes in species richness of (a) community,
(b) PR, (c) PB, (d) PF, (e) SS, and
(f) AB from 1981‑2011. Asterisks indicate significant changes
in species richness (*P<0.05, **P < 0.01).
Abbreviations: perennial rhizome
grass (PR), perennial bunchgrasses (PB), perennial forbs (PF), shrubs
and semi-shrubs (SS), and annuals and biennials (AB).
The dynamics of species richness were also related to climate factors
(Table 1). The species richness of
the community and functional group PF were positively correlated with
P7 and P6-9, and negatively correlated
with T6 and T6-7,
respectively.
In addition, a positive correlation was also observed between
P1-9 and species richness of functional group PF. The
species richness of functional groups PR and PB were positively
correlated with T7 and P7-9,
respectively.
Additionally, P5 and P7 were positively
correlated with species richness of functional group AB. The species
richness of functional group SS was not related to any of the climate
factors investigated.