Effects of anthropogenic disturbance on richness-dependent stability in Napahai plateau wetland

Unique plateau wetlands in China provide essential ecosystem functions and services and influence the health, environment and security of the downstream regions. In recent years, these plateau wetlands have experienced significant anthropogenic disturbance, but studies that evaluate the effects of such disturbance on ecological stability are rare. Our study tested how three typical types of human-related activities affect plant richness and ecological stability in Napahai plateau wetland, Shangri-La, China. The results showed that the anthropogenic disturbance had a direct effect on richness, and an indirect effect on stability mediated by richness. Anthropogenic disturbance did not alter the positive relationship between plant richness and community stability, and the stabilizing effect of richness could be explained by statistical averaging, overyielding effect, and component population stability. Our study complements previous studies that tested the richness-stability relationships in synthesized assemblages with richness specifically manipulated and studies that introduced mowing treatment to mimic real anthropogenic disturbance. The results further suggest that necessary steps, such as anthropogenic disturbance mitigation and plant richness conservation, are urgently required for maintaining healthy plateau wetlands and for sustaining their ecosystem functions and services.