1
|
Qian D, Li Q, Guo X, Fan B, Lan Y, Si M, Cao G. Ecosystem services relationship characteristics of the degraded alpine shrub meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10351. [PMID: 37492459 PMCID: PMC10363829 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpine shrub meadows hold significant importance as grassland ecosystems on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). They provide a range of vital ecosystem services (ESs) and are commonly utilized as summer pastures by herders, resulting in short grazing periods and high grazing intensities. Unfortunately, these practices have led to varying degrees of degradation, thereby affecting the sustainable provision of ESs. However, the current knowledge regarding changes in ESs and their characteristics under the influence of degradation, particularly the differences between alpine shrub and alpine meadow ecosystems, is insufficient. To address this gap, this study aimed to investigate and analyse changes in four ESs within alpine shrub meadows across different levels of degradation, as well as explore their relationships. The research was conducted in a summer pasture located in the northeastern QTP. The findings revealed a substantial reduction of 85.9% in forage supply due to degradation in alpine shrub meadows. Moreover, regulating services experienced a decline followed by an increase in instances of heavy degradation. Trade-offs were observed between provisioning and regulating services, while synergistic relationships were identified among different regulating services. Degradation exacerbated imbalances between provisioning and regulating services, whereas light degradation allowed for a better equilibrium between the two. Comparatively, alpine meadows exhibited higher levels of forage supply and carbon storage services, whereas alpine shrub ecosystems displayed greater nutrient supply and water retention services. It was observed that changes in ESs and relationship patterns within alpine shrub meadows were significantly influenced by the presence of alpine meadows. Consequently, safeguarding the structural integrity of alpine meadows and addressing conflicts over ESs is essential to ensure coordination and sustainability of ESs within alpine shrub meadows. The outcomes of this study provide valuable insights for ecosystem management and ecological restoration initiatives in alpine shrub meadows on the QTP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dawen Qian
- School of Geography and TourismChongqing Normal UniversityChongqingChina
- Northwest Institute of Plateau BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesXiningChina
| | - Qian Li
- Northwest Institute of Plateau BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesXiningChina
| | - Xiaowei Guo
- Northwest Institute of Plateau BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesXiningChina
| | - Bo Fan
- Northwest Institute of Plateau BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesXiningChina
| | - Yuting Lan
- Northwest Institute of Plateau BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesXiningChina
| | - Mengke Si
- Northwest Institute of Plateau BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesXiningChina
| | - Guangmin Cao
- Northwest Institute of Plateau BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesXiningChina
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dong J, Yin T, Liu H, Sun L, Qin S, Zhang Y, Liu X, Fan P, Wang H, Zheng P, Wang R. Vegetation Greenness Dynamics in the Western Greater Khingan Range of Northeast China Based on Dendrochronology. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11050679. [PMID: 35625407 PMCID: PMC9138829 DOI: 10.3390/biology11050679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the vegetation greenness dynamics in the forest–steppe transition zone is essential for ecosystem management, and in order to study ecological changes in the region. This study provides a valuable record of the vegetation greenness dynamics in the western Greater Khingan Range over the past 193 years (1826–2018) based on tree-ring data represented by the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The reconstructed vegetation greenness dynamics record contains a total of 32 years of high vegetation greenness and 37 years of low vegetation greenness, together occupying 35.8% of the entire reconstructed period (193 years). Climate (precipitation) is the main influence on the vegetation greenness dynamics at this site, but human activities have also had a significant impact over the last few decades. The magnitude, frequency, and duration of extreme changes in vegetation greenness dynamics have increased significantly, with progressively shorter intervals. Analyses targeting human behavior have shown that the density of livestock, agricultural land area, and total population have gradually increased, encroaching on forests and grasslands and reducing the inter-annual variability. After 2002, the government implemented projects to return farmland to its original ecosystems, and for the implementation of new land management practices (which are more ecologically related); as such, the vegetation conditions began to improve. These findings will help us to understand the relationship between climate change and inter- and intra- annual dynamics in northeastern China, and to better understand the impact of human activities on vegetation greenness dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jibin Dong
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China; (J.D.); (T.Y.); (H.L.); (L.S.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (H.W.); (R.W.)
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Vegetation Ecology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Qingdao Forest Ecology Research Station of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Qingdao 266237, China;
| | - Tingting Yin
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China; (J.D.); (T.Y.); (H.L.); (L.S.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (H.W.); (R.W.)
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Vegetation Ecology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Qingdao Forest Ecology Research Station of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Qingdao 266237, China;
| | - Hongxiang Liu
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China; (J.D.); (T.Y.); (H.L.); (L.S.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (H.W.); (R.W.)
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Vegetation Ecology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Qingdao Forest Ecology Research Station of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Qingdao 266237, China;
| | - Lu Sun
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China; (J.D.); (T.Y.); (H.L.); (L.S.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (H.W.); (R.W.)
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Vegetation Ecology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Qingdao Forest Ecology Research Station of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Qingdao 266237, China;
| | - Siqi Qin
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China; (J.D.); (T.Y.); (H.L.); (L.S.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (H.W.); (R.W.)
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Vegetation Ecology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Qingdao Forest Ecology Research Station of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Qingdao 266237, China;
| | - Yang Zhang
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China; (J.D.); (T.Y.); (H.L.); (L.S.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (H.W.); (R.W.)
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Vegetation Ecology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Qingdao Forest Ecology Research Station of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Qingdao 266237, China;
| | - Xiao Liu
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China; (J.D.); (T.Y.); (H.L.); (L.S.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (H.W.); (R.W.)
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Vegetation Ecology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Qingdao Forest Ecology Research Station of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Qingdao 266237, China;
| | - Peixian Fan
- Qingdao Forest Ecology Research Station of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Qingdao 266237, China;
| | - Hui Wang
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China; (J.D.); (T.Y.); (H.L.); (L.S.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (H.W.); (R.W.)
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Vegetation Ecology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Qingdao Forest Ecology Research Station of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Qingdao 266237, China;
| | - Peiming Zheng
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China; (J.D.); (T.Y.); (H.L.); (L.S.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (H.W.); (R.W.)
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Vegetation Ecology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Qingdao Forest Ecology Research Station of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Qingdao 266237, China;
- Correspondence:
| | - Renqing Wang
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China; (J.D.); (T.Y.); (H.L.); (L.S.); (S.Q.); (Y.Z.); (X.L.); (H.W.); (R.W.)
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center for Vegetation Ecology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
- Qingdao Forest Ecology Research Station of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Qingdao 266237, China;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
The Role of Plant Functional Diversity in Regulating Soil Organic Carbon Stocks under Different Grazing Intensities in Temperate Grassland, China. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14084376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Grazing is very common in the grassland ecosystem, and it has a significant impact on the C stocks and cycle. One of the most important drivers of soil C stocks is functional diversity. However, limited studies have attempted to explore the effects of functional diversity on soil C stocks associated with grazing disturbance. This study was carried out in Hulunbeier grassland, Inner Mongolia, and four grazing intensities (no grazing (NG), light grazing (LG), moderate grazing (MG), and heavy grazing (HG)) were identified. The plant functional traits and important soil properties under different grazing intensities were measured. Functional identity and diversity were calculated based on the measured functional traits. The impacts of functional identity and diversity on soil organic carbon stocks (SOCstocks) were analyzed using a multi-model inference (MMI) approach. Our study showed that the functional diversity effect on soil C stocks varies depending on grazing intensity. We identified that functional richness has a significant impact on SOCstocks in NG. The community weighted mean of leaf area became the best predictor of SOCstocks in LG. As grazing intensified, functional divergence best explained SOCstocks in moderate and heavy grazing sites, and their relationship was positive. The major outcomes of this research could shed light on the mechanics of soil carbon storage.
Collapse
|
4
|
Mowing Facilitated Shoot and Root Litter Decomposition Compared with Grazing. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11070846. [PMID: 35406826 PMCID: PMC9002786 DOI: 10.3390/plants11070846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Shoot and root litter are two major sources of soil organic carbon, and their decomposition is a crucial nutrient cycling process in the ecosystem. Altitude and land use could affect litter decomposition by changing the environment in mountain grassland ecosystems. However, few studies have investigated the effects of land use on litter decomposition in different altitudes. We examined how land-use type (mowing vs. grazing) affected shoot and root litter decomposition of a dominant grass (Bromus inermis) in mountain grasslands with two different altitudes in northwest China. Litterbags with 6 g of shoot or root were fixed in the plots to decompose for one year. The mass loss rate of the litter, and the environmental attributes related to decomposition, were measured. Litter decomposed faster in mowing than grazing plots, resulting from the higher plant cover and soil moisture but lower bulk density, which might promote soil microbial activities. Increased altitude promoted litter decomposition, and was positively correlated with soil moisture, soil organic carbon (SOC), and β-xylosidase activity. Our results highlight the diverse influences of land-use type on litter decomposition in different altitudes. The positive effects of mowing on shoot decomposition were stronger in lower than higher altitude compared to grazing due to the stronger responses of the plant (e.g., litter and aboveground biomass) and soil (e.g., soil moisture, soil bulk density, and SOC). Soil nutrients (e.g., SOC and soil total nitrogen) seemed to play essential roles in root decomposition, which was increased in mowing plots at lower altitude and vice versa at higher altitude. Therefore, grazing significantly decreased root mass loss at higher altitude, but slightly increased at lower altitude compared to mowing. Our results indicated that the land use might variously regulate the innate differences of the plant and edaphic conditions along an altitude gradient, exerting complex impacts in litter decomposition and further influencing carbon and nutrient cycling in mountain grasslands.
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang J, Li W, Cao W, Wang S. Effects of different intensities of long-term grazing on plant diversity, biomass and carbon stock in alpine shrubland on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12771. [PMID: 35070507 PMCID: PMC8760858 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Grazing is the main grassland management strategy applied in alpine shrubland ecosystems on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. However, how different intensities of long-term grazing affect plant diversity, biomass accumulation and carbon (C) stock in these ecosystems is poorly understood. In this study, alpine shrubland with different long-term (more than 30 years) grazing intensities (excluded from grazing for 5 years (EX), light grazing (LG), moderate grazing (MG) and heavy grazing (HG)) on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau were selected to study changes in plant diversity, aboveground biomass and C accumulation, as well as distribution of C stock among biomass components and soil depths. A structural equation model was used to illustrate the impact of grazing on the soil carbon stock (SOC). The results showed that the Shannon-Wiener diversity index and richness index of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and communities first significantly increased and then decreased with increasing grazing intensity, reaching maxima at the LG site. The aboveground and belowground and litter biomass of understory herbaceous plants, shrubs and communities decreased with increasing grazing intensity, reaching maxima at the EX site. The aboveground and belowground biomass C storage decreased with increasing grazing intensity, reaching maxima at the EX site. The SOC stock and total ecosystem C stock decreased with increasing grazing intensity, reaching maxima at the EX and LG sites. A structural equation model showed that grazing-induced changes in the belowground biomass of understory herbaceous plants greatly contributed to the SOC stock decrease. Thus, considering the utilization and renewal of grassland resources, as well as local economic benefits and ecological effects, LG may be a more rational grazing intensity for species diversity conservation and ecosystem C sequestration in alpine shrubland. Our results provide new insights for incorporating grazing intensity into shrub ecosystem C stock and optimizing grazing management and grassland ecosystem C management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinlan Wang
- Gansu Agricultural University, Grassland Science College, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Wen Li
- Qinghai University, Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Wenxia Cao
- Gansu Agricultural University, Grassland Science College, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Shilin Wang
- Gansu Agricultural University, Grassland Science College, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| |
Collapse
|