Species diversity of plant communities: Current state of the problem

Factors that influence the species diversity of plant communities are discussed, including abiotic factors (altitude above sea level and soil moistening, fertility, pH, and salinization), biotic factors (dominants, competition intensity, positive interactions, seed banks, phytophages, and pathogens), and the succession status (influence of grazing, fires, and invasive species). The species diversity in different plant communities is shown to be formed by a combination of different factors. The main approaches in the restoration ecology are analyzed, including the restoration successions and the introduction of species from natural communities into disturbed communities characterized by a poor species composition.