Increasing grazing intensity enhances vegetation elemental coupling but reduces soil elemental coupling in alpine meadows
Abstract
Background
Grazing
alters
the
biogeochemical
cycles
in
grassland
ecosystems,
with
elemental
coupling
serving
as
an
effective
measure
of
this
impact.
The
concept
allows
for
inclusion
various
mineral
elements,
offering
new
insights
into
effects
grazing
on
material
cycling.
Methods
This
study
focused
a
typical
alpine
meadow
eastern
Qinghai-Tibet
Plateau,
where
we
measured
total
content
dominant
vegetation,
soil
exchangeable
ions,
and
physicochemical
properties.
We
analysed
changes
plant
used
Structural
Equation
Modeling
(SEM)
approach
to
investigate
mechanisms
driving
these
changes.
Results
With
increasing
intensity,
concentrations
heavy
metals
such
copper
(Cu²⁺),
zinc
(Zn²⁺),
manganese
(Mn²⁺),
iron
(Fe³⁺)
significantly
increased
soil,
while
contents
essential
nutrients
Mg,
Ca,
Na
decreased
vegetation.
Increasing
intensity
enhanced
vegetation
element
but
reduced
coupling,
increases
52.8%
decreases
16.8%
under
grazing,
respectively.
SEM
analysis
revealed
significant
direct
coupling.
Conclusion
investigated
how
affects
Plateau.
While
enhances
it
reduces
coupling.This
provides
perspectives
scientific
basis
rational
management
sustainable
use.
Опубликована: Май 13, 2025
Язык: Английский