Elevated desert locations hold key to plant diversity and conservation efforts.
The researchers studied plant diversity in a Gobi Desert area in Northwest China to understand what factors influence it. They found that shrubs and semi-shrubs were common, while annual and perennial herbs were also present. Plant diversity varied across the area, with higher richness and diversity at higher elevations. The type of soil and its properties, like texture and density, also affected plant diversity. Overall, the study shows that plant diversity in the Gobi Desert is influenced by factors like elevation and soil characteristics.
