DOI: 10.5061/dryad.stqjq2cd8
title: Data from: A guild-based framework for restoring plant diversity on reservoir shorelines through active plant introduction

description: Reservoir shorelines of regulated rivers, created by over 2.8 million dams
 worldwide, have experienced substantial biodiversity loss, particularly in
 plant communities. While actively introducing local riparian plants is a
 common restoration strategy, existing approaches often lack applicability
 and transferability across river basins. To address this, we propose a
 guild-based restoration framework that classifies plant species used for
 restoration into guilds based on shared functional traits and adaptive
 strategies. This approach allows for evaluating restoration outcomes
 across guilds along environmental gradients, optimizing restoration
 design. We tested this framework along the shorelines of the
 Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), characterized by steep environmental
 gradients. Plant guilds were identified based on shared functional traits,
 focusing on hydrological and geomorphological associations. The
 effectiveness of guild introductions was assessed across gradients of
 submergence intensity, topography, and substrate properties by comparing
 outcomes to those of spontaneous colonization. Results showed
 that under intermediate and high submergence intensity, active plant
 introduction and spontaneous colonization yielded similar restoration
 outcomes, with short-clonal flood-tolerant herbs naturally dominating. At
 low submergence intensity, the introduction of flood-tolerant woody plants
 increased functional diversity, whereas tall-clonal flood-tolerant herbs
 reduced diversity due to competitive exclusion. Actively introduced plants
 did not suppress invasive species. Unexpectedly, under intermediate
 submergence intensity, introduction was associated with increased invasive
 plant presence. Synthesis and applications. Our study validates the
 guild-based framework as an effective approach for shoreline vegetation
 restoration in regulated rivers. We show that guild identity and
 submergence intensity jointly shape restoration outcomes, offering
 insights for optimizing active plant introduction strategies in the TGR
 and similar reservoirs in the upper Yangtze River. Furthermore, this
 framework enhances the transferability of restoration practices by
 offering a functionally driven approach to species selection across river
 basins.
description: # A guild-based framework for restoring plant diversity on reservoir
 shorelines through active plant introduction
 [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.stqjq2cd8](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.stqjq2cd8) ## Description of the data and file structure ## **Dataset Description** This dataset accompanies the article "A guild-based framework for restoring plant diversity in reservoir shorelines through active plant introduction". It includes 22 restoration sites established through active plant introduction, as well as 6 spontaneously colonized sites. This dataset serves as a resource for testing the proposed guild-based framework along the shorelines of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). **Structure and Content** The dataset is organized into eleven primary tables: **DataFile1_LME&Tukey** These data were used to build linear mixed-effects models and perform Tukey's post-hoc tests. The dataset includes four diversity metrics, including the Shannon-Wiener index, functional dispersion (FDis), and the relative richness and cover of invasive species at PI and SC sites. **DataFile2_All_subset_regression** These data were used to build all-subset regression models to identify key variables influencing restoration outcomes (Shannon-Wiener index, functional dispersion, and the relative richness and cover of invasive species) and their interactions. **DataFile3\_ ANOSIM** Data on the plant community composition of each plot, including the presence and absence of each species and the projected coverage of those species. **DataFile4_** **adjusted_guild_matrix** Data on the functional guilds of common riparian species. **DataFile5_PCoA** Data on Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA). Data on the plant community composition of each plot, including the presence and absence of each species and the projected coverage of those species. **DataFile6_Traits of the common species in reservoir shorelines** Data on ten functional traits of common species in the shorelines of the Three Gorges Reservoir. **DataFile7_Abunance matrix** Data on the plant community composition of each plot, including the presence and absence of each species and the projected coverage of those species. **DataFile8_Slope and substrate fineness** Data on the slope and substrate fineness of each plot along the shoreline elevation at each site. **DataFile9_Submergence duration** Data on average number of days per year that specific elevations of the TGR shorelines are submerged. **DataFile10_Traits of the common species in free-flowing rivers** Data on ten functional traits of common species in the riparian zones of free-flowing rivers in the upper Yangtze River. **DataFile11_Water level of the TGR (20082018)** Data on the daily water level of the TGR from 2008 to 2018. --- ## **Glossary of Variables and Abbreviations** Here is the list arranged in alphabetical order: C% S% R%: The proportion of CSR strategy. Dispersal_vector:Dispersal vector. Typical dispersal mode. Duration (days): Average number of days per year that specific elevations of the TGR shorelines are submerged. elevation (m): Elevation of the reservoir shorelines FDis: Functional dispersion. Flood_tolerance: Flood tolerance. Tolerance to different flood intensities. guild: Plant guild. guild_plot:Study plot for each introduced guild. Invasiveness: The invasiveness of species. Life_form: Life span. Max_height: Maximum height. Distance fromthe ground to the highest tissue. PI: Plant-introduced (PI) sites. plot: Study plot. relative_invasive_cover: Relative cover of invasive species. relative_invasive_number: Relative richness of invasive species. Reproduction_type: Reproduction type. Sexual or asexual, classified by reproduction structure. Root_morphology: Root morphology. SC: Spontaneously-colonized (SC) sites. Shannon_Wiener: Shannon-Wiener diversity index. Shoot_growth_form: Shoot growth form. Structural characteristics ofthe shoot. site: Study sites. Slope: Slope of the surveyed plot. Specific_leaf_area: Specific leaf area. One-sided area per unit mass, relevant to growth rate. Substrate_texture: Substrate fineness of the surveyed plot. water level (m): Water level of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). --- ## **Code Description** **Code1_LME&Tukey**: Performs Linear Mixed-Effects Models (LME) analysis and Tukey's post-hoc tests. The dataset used is **DataFile1_LME&Tukey(Code1)**. **Code2_All_subset_regression**: Conducts all-subset regression analysis. The dataset used is **DataFile2_All_subset_regression(Code2)**. **Code3_ANOSIM**: Compares plant community composition under different restoration methods using Analysis of Similarities (ANOSIM). The dataset used is **DataFile3_ANOSIM(Code3)**. **Code4_PCoA**: Performs Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) to visualize classification patterns. The dataset used is **DataFile4_adjusted_guild_matrix(Code4) and DataFile5_PCoA(Code4)**. **Code5_Functional_diversity**: Computes functional dispersion (FDis). The dataset used is **DataFile6_Traits of the common species in reservoir shorelines(Code5) and DataFile7_Abundance matrix(Code5)**. **Code6_t_test**: Assesses differences in slope and substrate fineness between study sites using a t-test. The dataset used is **DataFile8_Slope and substrate fineness(Code6)**. **Code7_Duration**: Compares the inundation duration of reservoir shorelines at different elevations. The dataset used is **DataFile9_Submergence duration(Code7)**.