Analysis of the Process and Impacts of Deyeuxia angustifolia Invasion on the Alpine Tundra, Changbai Mountain

In China, the alpine tundra of Changbai Mountain is one of only three areas in China with this type of rare alpine tundra. Herbaceous species from the 'Betula ermanii zone', represented by Deyeuxia angustifolia, have invaded the alpine tundra zone on Changbai Mountain. In the study area, GPS equipment was used to identify individual D. Angustifolia patches. Spectral analysis, particularly the red edge bands, was conducted by comparing the hyperspectral data between the invasive D. andustifolia and the native species, Rhododendron chrysanthum. In the newly formed plant community D. Angustifolia was the dominant species. While this invasion altered the native plant community structure and enhanced biodiversity, it altered some soil properties including both physical and chemical properties. Compared with the native plant community, dominated by R. Chrysanthum, the invasive patches showed higher Shannon-Wiener diversity and species richness. The progression of invasion resulted in a decrease in the carbon/nitrogen ratio, soil humus and total nitrogen.