Mixed forest conversion from moso bamboo forests in wetland parks increases understory species diversity and improves soils

To explore the effects of forest stand conversion on plant diversity in urban wetland parks, with a view to providing reference for urban ecological restoration and scientific development. We select the sample plots of three different stands (moso bamboo ( Phyllostachys pubescens ) forest, Pinus massoniana forest and mixed forest) in Huating Lake Wetland Park in Anqing City, China. The plant diversity and its influencing factors of different stand types were analyzed by diversity index and combined with environmental factors. We found that the herb coverage and richness index of mixed forest were higher than P. massoniana forests and P. pubescens forests ( P < 0.05). The contents of soil carbon, nitrogen and organic matter in mixed forest were significantly higher than P. massoniana forests and P. pubescens forests ( P < 0.05). The plant community stability of P. massoniana forests was the lowest, and mixed forests was the highest in three stand types. In summary, stand transformation played a good role in ecological restoration of Huating Lake National Wetland Park, and the contents of soil carbon, nitrogen and organic matter also affected the growth of plants under the forests to some extent. To sum, transformation from P. pubescens forests to mixed forests can increase the richness and diversity of understorey plant species and improve soil properties. • The mixed forests herb cover and richness index of were higher than those of other stands. • Soil carbon, nitrogen and organic matter content affected the understory diversity. • The mixed forest concersion method can increase the richness and diversity of understory plant species and improve soil properties.