Effects of different grazing intensities on plant species diversity at different spatial scales in a desert steppe in Inner Mongolia

PeerJ, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 13, С. e19087 - e19087

Опубликована: Март 19, 2025

The effect of grazing intensity on plant diversity has been widely studied. In this study, desert steppes with different intensities (no (CK), light (LG), moderate (MG), heavy (HG), and extremely (EG)) in Inner Mongolia were selected to study the changes species at spatial scales (α, β, γ diversity) α groups (dominant species, common rare species).The results showed that α, first decreased then increased increasing intensity, β was observed be most sensitive index intensity. Grazing had greatest impact least species. Therefore, are great significance for maintenance assessment biodiversity. We concluded leads a response diversity, phenomenon is mainly affected by could provide scientific bases protection sustainable steppes.

Язык: Английский

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Responses of Soil Microbial Communities and Functions in an Alpine Grassland of the Qinghai Lake Basin With Grazing Disturbance

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(3)

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Soil ecosystems host diverse microbial communities, which are influenced by various environmental factors, soil properties, vegetation characteristics, and anthropogenic activities, such as livestock grazing. Grazing serves a critical management practice in the alpine grasslands of Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, affecting communities their functions through processes forage consumption, trampling, deposition feces urine. In this study, we utilized scientific technological platform “Alpine Grassland‐Livestock Adaptive Management Technology Platform” Qinghai Province to examine effects grazing intensity on functions. Experimental treatments included different intensities (light grazing, moderate heavy grazing), along with no‐grazing control. Metagenomic sequencing technology was employed investigate impact these community composition functional attributes grasslands. The results indicated that: (1) Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi were dominant bacterial soil, while Ascomycota, Mucoromycota, Basidiomycota represented primary fungal communities. (2) had greater than altering Shannon diversity index Simpson (3) pH moisture important factors influencing changes (4) Functional analysis focusing “nitrogen metabolism” pathway that under light conditions, relative abundance multiple genes, particularly those involved denitrification, decreased.

Язык: Английский

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Interactive Effects of Climate and Large Herbivore Assemblage Drive Plant Functional Traits and Diversity

Plants, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 14(8), С. 1249 - 1249

Опубликована: Апрель 20, 2025

Large herbivore communities are changing globally, with populations of wild herbivores generally declining while domestic increasing, influencing ecosystem function along the impacts climate change. Manipulative experiments have rarely captured interaction between patterns large assemblage change and climatic conditions. This may affect functional traits diversity herbaceous communities; this requires investigation, as these metrics been useful proxies for function. We used a exclosure experiment replicated topo-climatic gradient to explore on community-level plant understories. Our findings demonstrate interacting effects assemblages climate. found shift from drought-tolerant drought-avoidant increasing aridity, specifically regard leaf area specific area. also determined that community responses grazing changed an avoidance strategy at drier sites more herbivore-tolerant wetter sites. observed can sometimes counteract those Finally, we cattle differ in magnitude direction diversity.

Язык: Английский

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Effects of Long-Term Mowing on Biomass Composition in Pannonian Dry Grasslands

Agronomy, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 12(5), С. 1107 - 1107

Опубликована: Май 1, 2022

This study is focused on the vegetation of seminatural dry grasslands. These grasslands are valuable with large biodiversity; however, their long-term preservation requires regular conservation management. report demonstrates results a 13-years mowing experiment, designed to suppress spread an unpalatable grass species, Calamagrostis epigejos. The site was located in mid-successional grasslands, Western-Cserhát, near Rád, Northern Hungary. experimental design consisted eight permanent plots, where applied twice year. sampled annually (from 2001 2013). impacts were tested using repeated–measures analyses variance (ANOVA). In 2001, epigejos species highest cover both mown and control sites, average value 63%. However, as result mowing, significant difference detected amount litter legumes well. number showed increase types treatment, from 15 37 mowed but also 18 27 plots. We concluded that year proved be useful measure for modifying botanical composition grassland. It well suited agricultural usage, particular grazing, which can replace expensive time-consuming scythe. Mowing suitable management controlling native invader such epigejos, significantly proportion higher forage values.

Язык: Английский

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Investigating the effects of climate change and anthropogenic activities on SOC storage and cumulative CO2 emissions in forest soils across altitudinal gradients using the century model

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 943, С. 173758 - 173758

Опубликована: Июнь 7, 2024

Язык: Английский

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High resistance of plant biodiversity to moderate native woody encroachment in loess steppe grassland fragments

Applied Vegetation Science, Год журнала: 2019, Номер 23(2), С. 175 - 184

Опубликована: Дек. 14, 2019

Abstract Questions Woody encroachment affects many open habitats from semi‐deserts to wetlands and grasslands. We aimed study the effect of native woody on grassland plant biodiversity in loess steppe fragments by analysing vegetation composition grasslands subjected increasing levels encroachment. studied both ancient restored with following research hypotheses: (a) decreases total diversity species richness dry‐grassland species; (b) cover differs between Location South‐Eastern part Transdanubia, Hungary, Central Europe. Methods Altogether 63 were selected for study. The percentage trees, shrubs herbaceous recorded 400‐m 2 ‐sized plots ( n = 110). effects age diversity, herb layer, analysed. Results found that affected layer species. For most listed variables, lowest values highest groups. Grassland lower detected In grasslands, Shannon evenness lower, while Berger–Parker dominance was higher than Species displayed a relatively high resistance moderate encroachment; decrease at level (>52% cover). Conclusions can conclude low cannot be simplistically regarded as degradation. suggest moderately encroached easily suppression species, their pool still contains targeted restoration.

Язык: Английский

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Incorporating Biodiversity into Biogeochemistry Models to Improve Prediction of Ecosystem Services in Temperate Grasslands: Review and Roadmap

Agronomy, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 10(2), С. 259 - 259

Опубликована: Фев. 12, 2020

Multi-species grasslands are reservoirs of biodiversity and provide multiple ecosystem services, including fodder production carbon sequestration. The provision these services depends on the control exerted biogeochemistry plant diversity system by interplay biotic abiotic factors, e.g., grazing or mowing intensity. Biogeochemical models incorporate a mechanistic view functioning sound basis for studying underlying processes. However, in models, simulation biogeochemical cycles is generally not coupled to species dynamics, which leads considerable uncertainty about quality predictions. Ecological other hand, do account with approaches adopted from demography, but without linking dynamics processes occurring at community level, this hampers models’ capacity assess resilience against stresses such as drought nutrient limitation. While setting out state-of-the-art developments ecological modelling, we explore highlight role regulation ecosystems provided multi-species grasslands. An extensive literature model survey was carried an emphasis technically advanced reconciling biodiversity, readily applicable managed temperate latitudes. We propose roadmap promising modelling.

Язык: Английский

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Weed management for landscape scale restoration of global temperate grasslands

Land Degradation and Development, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 32(3), С. 1090 - 1102

Опубликована: Окт. 24, 2020

Abstract Globally, temperate grasslands have been significantly degraded as a result of urbanisation, grazing and agriculture. Weeds now dominate most these ecosystems, resulting in the loss ecosystem services, reduced carrying capacity for farmers, reduction habitat native plants animals. This paper reviews literature relating to grassland restoration efforts across globe, noting which techniques combinations used successfully reduce weed dominance promote recruitment establishment. review concludes that, using combination four techniques, provided highest level success, with caveat ongoing management should be budgeted all projects. There is no single optimal method control, success depending on specific site conditions scope aims particular However, any form target plant transfer was observed enhance restoration's exotic biomass. clearly need an increase long‐term monitoring projects order make more confident assumptions.

Язык: Английский

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Grassland management and land use history shape species composition and diversity in Transylvanian semi‐natural grasslands

Applied Vegetation Science, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 24(2)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2021

Abstract Aims Semi‐natural grasslands are among the most biodiverse habitats in Europe, and they of great conservation agricultural value. However, changes land use like grazing intensification cessation traditional management have dramatic effects on extent biodiversity these ecosystems. In this study we investigated how current practices history shape species composition diversity patterns semi‐natural Eastern hills Cluj region. Location (“Dealurile Clujului de Est” ‐ ROSCI0295) Natura 2000 site close surroundings, Transylvania, Romania. Methods We surveyed plots extensively intensively grazed grasslands, mown by hand or heavy machinery, abandoned grasslands. To quantify grassland continuity, analysed a series historical cadastral more maps ranging from 18th to 21st century. Results Species was significantly influenced management, continuity environmental factors. Mown had forest edge specialists than addition, there positive relationship between number specialists, while ruderal related negatively continuity. The highest values were recorded traditionally diversity‐related variables poorly reflected Conclusions This provides evidence that short‐term abandonment may not be as detrimental for often suggested, intensive results greatest loss diversity. Grassland tightly influences persistence specialist species. Thus, recommend included selection identification high‐nature‐value prioritizing efforts older

Язык: Английский

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Examination of the Effects of Domestic Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Grazing on Wetland and Dry Grassland Habitats

Plants, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 12(11), С. 2184 - 2184

Опубликована: Май 31, 2023

In nature conservation today, there is a global problem with the aggressive expansion of invasive plant species and valuable grassland vegetation. Based on this, following question has been formed: Is domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) appropriate for managing various habitat types? How does grazing by affect vegetation? This study was carried out in four areas Hungary. One sample Mátra Mountains, dry where had applied two, six years. The other were Zámolyi Basin, wet fens high risk Solidago gigantea typic Pannonian investigated. all areas, bubalis). During study, we coenological survey, examining change cover species, their feed values biomass grassland. According to results, both number economically important grasses (from 28% 34.6%) legumes 3.4% 25.4%) increased as well proportion shrubs 41.8% 4.4%) shifted toward species. suppressed completely, pasture converted completely 16% 1%) dominant become Sesleria uliginosa. Thus, have found that suitable management method grasslands grasslands. Therefore, addition its effectiveness control gigantea, successful economic aspects

Язык: Английский

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