Abstract Shrub species play an important role in providing ecosystem functions and these functions may vary based on dominant shrubs and their facilitation roles in the arid ecosystems. This study was done to assess the potential of three shrubs (Tamarix macatensis, Calligonum polygonoides, and Haloxylon ammodendron) for providing three functions i.e. soil fertility, soil stability, and habitat provision in sand dune ecosystems of Iran. Two ecological indicators were selected to measure each function (soil organic matter content and litter mass for soil fertility; mound height and clay content for soil stability; understory plants and macrofauna diversity for habitat provision). As well, some shrub traits were measured for each shrub to assess their relationships with ecological indicators. Results showed that shrubs can significantly change ecological indicators (p < 0.05), except H. ammodendron which had no significant effect on habitat provision (p < 0.05). There were some relationships between shrub traits and provision of ecosystem functions. Stem density and litter production were the most important functional traits affecting regulating and habitat functions. Also, there was a significant positive relationship between soil fertility, soil stability and habitat provision (p < 0.05). It can be recommended that planting spherical shrubs with high potential for litter production will enhance functions and can sustainably maintain sand dunes in arid ecosystems.

中文翻译：

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评估灌木对干旱沙丘生态系统生态系统功能的影响

摘要 灌木物种在提供生态系统功能方面发挥着重要作用，这些功能可能因优势灌木及其在干旱生态系统中的促进作用而异。本研究旨在评估三种灌木（柽柳、Calligonum polyoides 和梭梭）在伊朗沙丘生态系统中提供三种功能，即土壤肥力、土壤稳定性和栖息地供应的潜力。选择了两个生态指标来衡量每个功能（土壤有机质含量和凋落物质量用于土壤肥力；土丘高度和粘土含量用于土壤稳定性；林下植物和大型动物多样性用于提供栖息地）。此外，还测量了每种灌木的一些灌木性状，以评估它们与生态指标的关系。结果表明，灌木可以显着改变生态指标（p < 0.05），除了H. ammodendron 对栖息地提供没有显着影响（p < 0.05）。灌木性状与生态系统功能的提供存在一定的关系。茎密度和凋落物产量是影响调节和栖息地功能的最重要的功能性状。此外，土壤肥力、土壤稳定性和栖息地供应之间存在显着的正相关关系（p < 0.05）。建议种植具有较高凋落物生产潜力的球形灌木将增强功能并可持续地维护干旱生态系统中的沙丘。灌木性状与生态系统功能提供之间存在一定的关系。茎密度和凋落物产量是影响调节和栖息地功能的最重要的功能性状。此外，土壤肥力、土壤稳定性和栖息地供应之间存在显着的正相关关系（p < 0.05）。建议种植具有较高凋落物生产潜力的球形灌木将增强功能并可持续地维护干旱生态系统中的沙丘。灌木性状与生态系统功能提供之间存在一定的关系。茎密度和凋落物产量是影响调节和栖息地功能的最重要的功能性状。此外，土壤肥力、土壤稳定性和栖息地供应之间存在显着的正相关关系（p < 0.05）。建议种植具有较高凋落物生产潜力的球形灌木将增强功能并可持续地维护干旱生态系统中的沙丘。