# Response of Leafhopper Community Structure and Diversity to Fragmented Habitat in a Rocky Karst Desertification Area, Guizhou, China

## TL;DR

This study examines how habitat fragmentation in a rocky desertification area affects leafhopper diversity and genetic exchange in Guizhou, China.

## Contribution

The study identifies patch area and boundary complexity as key factors influencing leafhopper diversity and genetic exchange in fragmented karst habitats.

## Key findings

- Habitat fragmentation negatively impacts leafhopper genus diversity.
- Patch area has the strongest influence on leafhopper generic richness.
- Leafhoppers show more gene exchange between patches with irregular boundaries.

## Abstract

Guizhou Province’s karst areas display severe rocky desertification and prominent habitat fragmentation. This study focuses on the effects of habitat fragmentation and environmental factors (plants, soil, climate) on the genus-level and genetic diversity of leafhoppers in Bijie, Guizhou (an area with light to moderate rocky desertification). Habitat fragmentation had a negative impact on the generic diversity of leafhoppers, and among the characteristics of fragmented habitats, patch area exerted the greatest influence on leafhopper generic richness. Gene exchange among leafhoppers was more frequent between patches with irregular boundaries. As phytophagous insects, leafhoppers were mainly influenced by host plants and less affected by soil. Mitigating habitat fragmentation had a positive effect on the biodiversity of leafhoppers, which highlights the necessity of protecting biodiversity by reducing the rate of habitat fragmentation in the future.

Guizhou Province is located in the karst area of southern China, where rocky desertification is severe, and habitat fragmentation is prominent. Leafhoppers are widely distributed, with over 2000 recognized species found in China. However, the impact of habitat fragmentation in karst areas on the biodiversity of leafhoppers has not been comprehensively explored. Leafhopper specimens were collected in Bijie City, Guizhou Province (a light to moderate karst rocky desertification area) from 2019 to 2022. Using methods such as the generalized linear model (GLM) and redundancy analysis (RDA), this study explored the impacts of habitat fragmentation and environmental factors (plants, soil, climate) on the genus-level and genetic diversity of leafhoppers. When the degree of habitat fragmentation decreased, the genus diversity of leafhoppers increased significantly. The GLM showed that among the characteristics of fragmented habitats, patch area had the greatest impact on the generic richness of leafhoppers. RDA indicated that gene exchange among leafhoppers was more frequent between patches with irregular boundaries, and leafhoppers in patches with small areas and complex boundaries had greater genetic diversity. As phytophagous insects, leafhoppers were mainly affected by host plants and less affected by soil properties. Mitigating habitat fragmentation had a positive impact on the biodiversity of leafhoppers, which emphasizes the necessity of protecting biodiversity by reducing habitat fragmentation in the future.