Cushion plants as critical pioneers and engineers in alpine ecosystems across the Tibetan Plateau

Abstract

Cushion plants are widely representative species in the alpine ecosystem due to their vital roles in influencing abiotic and biotic environments, ecological succession processes, and ecosystem engineering. Importantly, cushion plants, such as Androsace L. and Arenaria L., are considered to be critical pioneers of ecosystem health, restoration, and sustainability across the Tibetan Plateau. This is because cushion plants (a) show tenacious vitality and can modify regional climates, substrates, and soil nutrients in extreme environments; (b) facilitate relationships with the surroundings and maintain the diversity of aboveground and belowground communities; and (c) are highly sensitive to environmental changes and thus can indicate grassland ecosystem health and resilience in the context of global change.

Abstract

Cushion plants, such as Androsace L., have a median uplifting structure that creates “microspace” and a developed root system. The death of cushion plants provides sufficient fertilizer for surrounding plants.