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Lv S, Wang Z, Yan B, Liu H, Han G, Wang Z, Li Z, Wang Z, Song X, Kang S. The relationships between structure and function of plant communities in the desert steppe. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:983. [PMID: 39420294 PMCID: PMC11487793 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05659-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2024] [Indexed: 10/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Assessing the relationships between spatial and temporal structures and functions of plant communities is an effective way to understand the changing dynamics of plant communities in specific environments. In this study, we investigated the response of structural and functional stabilities of plant communities to stocking rate in the desert steppe over a 16-year grazing period as the research background. METHODS We used classical statistical methods to investigate the quantitative characteristics of plant communities over time (2014-2019) and space (2017-2019) at four stocking rates (control, CK, 0 sheep·ha-1·month-1; light grazing, LG, 0.15 sheep·ha-1·month-1; moderate grazing, MG, 0.30 sheep·ha-1·month-1; heavy grazing, HG, 0.45 sheep·ha-1·month-1) in the Stipa breviflora desert steppe of Inner Mongolia. We then examined the relationship between structural and functional stability of plant communities. RESULTS On the spatial scale, the structural stability of plant community was the highest in the LG treatment and the lowest in the MG treatment. The functional stability of plant community was the highest in the MG treatment and the lowest in the HG treatment. On the temporal scale, the structural stability of plant community was the highest in the MG treatment and the lowest in the LG treatment. The functional stability of plant community was the highest in the LG treatment and the lowest in the HG treatment. Affected by the stocking rate, the structural stability of plant community fluctuated more widely on the spatial scale and its functional stability varied more widely on the temporal scale. Nonetheless, the functional stability of the plant community is more responsive to the stocking rate. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that influenced by the disturbance of stocking rate, the structural stability of plant community is more significant than the functional stability in the desert grassland ecosystem, which lays a solid foundation for the study of ecosystem stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijie Lv
- College of Grassland Science/Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education/Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Grassland Management and Utilization/Key Laboratory of Forage Cultivation, Processing and High Efficient Utilization of the Ministry of Agriculture, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010011, P. R. China
| | - Zihan Wang
- College of Grassland Science/Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education/Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Grassland Management and Utilization/Key Laboratory of Forage Cultivation, Processing and High Efficient Utilization of the Ministry of Agriculture, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010011, P. R. China
| | - Baolong Yan
- Agricultural College, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao, 028000, P. R. China
| | - Hongmei Liu
- College of Grassland Science/Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education/Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Grassland Management and Utilization/Key Laboratory of Forage Cultivation, Processing and High Efficient Utilization of the Ministry of Agriculture, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010011, P. R. China
- Inner Mongolia Academy of Forestry Science, Hohhot, 010010, China
| | - Guodong Han
- College of Grassland Science/Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education/Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Grassland Management and Utilization/Key Laboratory of Forage Cultivation, Processing and High Efficient Utilization of the Ministry of Agriculture, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010011, P. R. China
| | - Zhongwu Wang
- College of Grassland Science/Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education/Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Grassland Management and Utilization/Key Laboratory of Forage Cultivation, Processing and High Efficient Utilization of the Ministry of Agriculture, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010011, P. R. China.
| | - Zhiguo Li
- College of Grassland Science/Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education/Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Grassland Management and Utilization/Key Laboratory of Forage Cultivation, Processing and High Efficient Utilization of the Ministry of Agriculture, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010011, P. R. China.
| | - Zhanwen Wang
- College of Grassland Science/Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education/Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Grassland Management and Utilization/Key Laboratory of Forage Cultivation, Processing and High Efficient Utilization of the Ministry of Agriculture, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010011, P. R. China
| | - Xiaohui Song
- College of Grassland Science/Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education/Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Grassland Management and Utilization/Key Laboratory of Forage Cultivation, Processing and High Efficient Utilization of the Ministry of Agriculture, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010011, P. R. China
| | - Saruul Kang
- College of Grassland Science/Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education/Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Grassland Management and Utilization/Key Laboratory of Forage Cultivation, Processing and High Efficient Utilization of the Ministry of Agriculture, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010011, P. R. China
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Qiao J, Zheng J, Li S, Zhang F, Zhang B, Zhao M. Impact of climate warming on soil microbial communities during the restoration of the inner Mongolian desert steppe. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1458777. [PMID: 39309524 PMCID: PMC11412859 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1458777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Grazer exclosure is widely regarded as an effective measure for restoring degraded grasslands, having positive effects on soil microbial diversity. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that global surface temperatures will increase by 1.5-4.5°C by the end of the 21st century, which may affect restoration practices for degraded grasslands. This inevitability highlights the urgent need to study the effect of temperature on grassland soil microbial communities, given their critical ecological functions. Methods Here, we assessed the effects of heavy grazing (control), grazer exclosure, and grazer exclosure plus warming by 1.5°C on soil microbial community diversity and network properties as well as their relationships to soil physicochemical properties. Results and discussion Our results showed that grazer closure increased soil microbial richness relative to heavy grazing controls. Specifically, bacterial richness increased by 7.9%, fungal richness increased by 20.2%, and the number of fungal network nodes and edges increased without altering network complexity and stability. By contrast, grazer exclosure plus warming decreased bacterial richness by 9.2% and network complexity by 12.4% compared to heavy grazing controls, while increasing fungal network complexity by 25.8%. Grazer exclosure without warming increased soil ammonium nitrogen content, while warming increased soil nitrate nitrogen content. Soil pH and organic carbon were not affected by either exclosure strategy, but nitrate nitrogen was the dominant soil factor explaining changes in bacterial communities. Conclusion Our findings show that grazer exclosure increases soil microbial diversity which are effective soil restoration measures for degraded desert steppe, but this effect is weakened under warming conditions. Thus, global climate change should be considered when formulating restoration measures for degraded grasslands.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Mengli Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Forage Cultivation, Processing and High Efficient Utilization of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Grassland Management and Utilization, College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
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Wang B, Zhu Y, Yang X, Shan D, Wang D, Tu Y, Shi Z, Indree T. Effects of plant diversity and community structure on ecosystem multifunctionality under different grazing potentials in the eastern Eurasian steppe. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 934:173128. [PMID: 38734106 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Grazing potential represents the potential carrying capacity of steppe livestock production. Understanding the impact of changes in plant diversity and community structure on ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) at different grazing potentials is crucial for the sustainable management of steppe ecosystems. We examined the associations between plant diversity, community structure, above-ground ecosystem multifunctionality (AEMF), and below-ground ecosystem multifunctionality (BEMF) at various grazing potentials. Our assessment employed generalized linear mixed-effects models and structural equation models to determine the impact of these factors on ecosystem multifunctionality. Our study results indicated that ecosystem multifunctionality differed depending on the level of grazing potential and decreased as grazing potential declined. The impact of plant diversity and community structure on above- and below-ground ecosystem multifunctionality varied. Plant diversity and community structure correlated more with AEMF than BEMF. Plant diversity had the most significant effect on EMF under high grazing potential, while community structure had the greatest effect on EMF under moderate and low grazing potential. These improve our understanding of the correlation between steppe plant diversity, community structure, and above- and below-ground ecosystem multifunctionality. This understanding is necessary to develop strategies to increase plant diversity or regulate community structure and the sustainability of steppes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baizhu Wang
- Institute of Desertification Studies, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China; Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Yuanjun Zhu
- Institute of Desertification Studies, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China; Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China.
| | - Xiaohui Yang
- Institute of Desertification Studies, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China; Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Dan Shan
- College of Agriculture and Forestry, Hulun Buir University, Hulun Buir, 021000, China
| | - Danyu Wang
- Institute of Desertification Studies, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China; Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Ya Tu
- Institute of Desertification Studies, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China; Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Zhongjie Shi
- Institute of Desertification Studies, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China; Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Tuvshintogtokh Indree
- Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 13330, Mongolia
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Li T, Chang S, Wang Z, Cheng Y, Peng Z, Li L, Lou S, Liu Y, Wang D, Zhong H, Zhu H, Hou F, Nan Z. Interactive effects of grassland utilization and climatic factors govern the plant diversity-soil C relationship in steppe of North China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171171. [PMID: 38402971 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The relationship between plant diversity and the ecosystem carbon pool is important for understanding the role of biodiversity in regulating ecosystem functions. However, it is not clear how the relationship between plant diversity and soil carbon content changes under different grassland use patterns. In a 3-year study from 2013 to 2015, we investigated plant diversity and soil total carbon (TC) content of grasslands in northern China under different grassland utilization methods (grazing, mowing, and enclosure) and climatic conditions. Shannon-Wiener and Species richness index of grassland were significantly decreased by grazing and mowing. Plant diversity was positively correlated with annual precipitation (AP) and negatively correlated with annual mean temperature (AMT). AP was the primary regulator of plant diversity. Grazing and mowing decreased TC levels in grasslands compared with enclosures, especially in topsoil (0-20 cm). The average TC content was decreased by 58 % and 36 % in the 0-10 cm soil layer, while it was decreased by 68 % and 39 % in 10-20 cm soil layer. TC was positively correlated with AP and negatively correlated with AMT. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that plant diversity was positively correlated with soil TC, and the correlation decreased with an increase in the soil depth. Overall, this study provides a theoretical basis for predicting soil carbon storage in grasslands under human disturbances and climate change impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengfei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Shenghua Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Zhaofeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Yunxiang Cheng
- College of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Huhhot, China
| | - Zechen Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Lan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Shanning Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Yongjie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | | | - Huaping Zhong
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, China
| | - Huazhong Zhu
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, China
| | - Fujiang Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China.
| | - Zhibiao Nan
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
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Usman M, Li L, Wang M, Wang Z, Hu A, Shi L, Hou F. Response of microbial communities to the changes in grazing intensity and season in a typical steppe. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 246:118126. [PMID: 38199463 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Livestock grazing is an influencing factor playing a key role in shaping the plant community, microbial community, and soil properties in grassland ecosystems. Northern China's Loess Plateau has been used for livestock grazing for centuries and is a vulnerable ecosystem. In this study, the fates of bacterial and fungal communities of the typical steppe of the Loess Plateau were investigated under increasing grazing intensities practiced in summer and winter seasons. The results revealed changes in soil physiochemical properties, plant community properties, and microbial diversity in response to alterations in the grazing intensity. The alpha diversity of microbial communities (including bacteria and fungi) exhibited an uneven trend during summer grazing due to an increase in grazing intensity, but it decreased during winter grazing; however, the observed changes were not significant. The beta diversity of the bacterial community was highly influenced by grazing intensity, the summer community clustered near nongrazing, and the winter community presented significantly different results. The beta diversity of the fungal community was not influenced by grazing intensity or season. Grazing induced the growth of fast-growing bacteria (such as Actinobacteria and Firmicutes) and saprophytic fungi and a reduction in overall pathogenic traits. Co-occurrence network analysis and a structural equation model revealed changes in soil and plant properties (such as soil nitrogen level, soil organic carbon level, aboveground biomass, and litter biomass), with an increase in grazing intensity contributing to alterations in bacterial and fungal diversities. This finding demonstrates that grazing intensity can directly affect soil microbes and play an indirect role by modifying soil nutrients and reducing plant biomass, which eventually contributes to changes in microbial communities. Overall, implementing low grazing intensity is suggested for maintaining the microbial community structure the same as that of the native microbiome (ungrazed) in the steppe ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Usman
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Lan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Mengyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - An Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Liyuan Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Fujiang Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China.
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Zhao J, Yang W, Tian L, Qu G, Wu GL. Warming differentially affects above- and belowground ecosystem functioning of the semi-arid alpine grasslands. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 914:170061. [PMID: 38218468 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Rapid climate warming is altering multiple ecosystem functions of alpine grasslands. However, the responses of the above- and belowground ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) to climate warming might exhibit difference in semi-arid alpine grasslands. Based on manipulative field experiments at an alpine meadow and an alpine steppe, we explored warming effects on the functioning of alpine grassland ecosystems on the Tibetan Plateau. Warming significantly decreased plant diversity and aboveground biomass, but tended to increase belowground biomass, soil carbon, and soil nutrient contents. Experimental warming generally had neutral effects on the EMF of both alpine grasslands. Nevertheless, warming differentially affects the above- and belowground ecosystem functioning of Tibetan semi-arid alpine grasslands, with the aboveground EMF (AEMF) deceased but the belowground EMF (BEMF) increased under warmer conditions. Our results further showed that the negative effect of experimental warming on AEMF was mainly regulated by the changes of plant and soil biodiversity. However, plant productivity had a pivotal role in propelling the positive effect of warming on BEMF. Our results emphasized the potential impacts of plant and soil biodiversity, productivity, and soil nutrients in maintaining the EMF of alpine grasslands, which could offer novel views for sustainable management of Tibetan semi-arid alpine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxue Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Wen Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Lihua Tian
- Sichuan Zoige Alpine Wetland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Institute of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Guangpeng Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Hulless Barley and Yak Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Grassland Science Institute, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa 850002, China
| | - Gao-Lin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, College of Soil and Water Conservation Science and Engineering (Institute of Soil and Water Conservation), Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, China.
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Li L, He XZ, Wang M, Huang L, Wang Z, Zhang X, Hu J, Hou F. Grazing-driven shifts in soil bacterial community structure and function in a typical steppe are mediated by additional N inputs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169488. [PMID: 38142006 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Herbivore grazing and nitrogen (N) fertilization affect soil microbial diversity and community composition both in direct and indirect pathways (e.g., via alterations in soil microenvironment and plant communities); however, their combination effects are still largely unexplored. We carried out a field study to investigate how soil abiotic properties, plant community composition and functional traits altered soil bacterial community structure and function in response to a long-term herbivore grazing (17-year sheep grazing with four stocking rates) and anthropogenic N inputs (6-year N addition with four levels) experiment. We show that a high stocking rate of 8.7 sheep ha-1 (SR8.7) decreased soil bacterial α- and β-diversity, while α- and β-diversity showed hump-shaped and saddle-shaped responses, respectively, with increasing N addition rate, reaching tipping points at the N application rate of 10 g N m-2 year-1 (N10). The synergistic effects of grazing and N addition induced the highest soil bacterial α-diversity at SR2.7 with N10. The contrasting effects of grazing and N addition induced higher soil bacterial β-diversity at SR8.7 with N20. Plant factors (e.g., aboveground biomass of Stipa bungeana and community-weighted mean carbon [CWM_C]), edaphic factors (e.g., soil moisture, pH, NO3--N, and C:nutrients ratios) and their interactions were the most significant factors affecting the diversity and community composition of bacteria. Our structure equation model (SEM) shows that grazing-induced negative effects on soil pH and plant community composition indirectly increased the β-diversity of soil bacteria, while grazing-induced decreased CWM_C had positive effects on bacterial α-diversity and community structure. However, N addition indirectly increased β-diversity of soil bacteria via changes in soil NO3--N and plant community composition, while N addition had negative impacts on bacterial α-diversity and community structure via variations in CWM_C. The interaction of grazing and N addition increased the complexity and stability of the bacterial network. Based on the KEGG database, grazing and N addition could accelerate the soil functional potential of C and N cycling. Our findings suggest that N application at a rate of <10 g N m-2 year-1 with a stocking rate of <5.3 sheep ha-1 could maintain the development of soil bacteria in supporting the most important ecosystem functions and services. Complex responses of soil microbes to grazing and N addition indicate the need for deeper investigations of the impacts of global change on microbial involvement in biogeochemical cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Xiong Zhao He
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Mengyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Ling Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Xiumin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Junqi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Fujiang Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Restoration and Utilization of Degraded Grassland in Northwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China.
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Liu Z, Wen J, Liu Z, Wei H, Zhang J. Polyethylene microplastics alter soil microbial community assembly and ecosystem multifunctionality. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 183:108360. [PMID: 38128384 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Although pervasive microplastics (MPs) pollution in terrestrial ecosystems invites increasing global concern, impact of MPs on soil microbial community assembly and ecosystem multifunctionality received relatively little attention. Here, we manipulated a mesocosm experiment to investigate how polyethylene MPs (PE MPs; 0, 1%, and 5%, w/w) influence ecosystem functions including plant production, soil quality, microbial community diversity and assembly, enzyme activities in carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling, and multifunctionality in the maize-soil continuum. Results showed that PE MPs exerted negligible effect on plant biomass (dry weight). The treatment of 5% PE MPs caused declines in the availability of soil water, C and P, whereas enhanced soil pH and C storage. The activity of C-cycling enzymes (α/β-1, 4-glucosidase and β-D-cellobiohydrolase) was promoted by 1% PE MPs, while that of β-1, 4-glucosidase was inhibited by 5% PE MPs. The 5% PE MPs reduced the activity of N-cycling enzymes (protease and urease), whereas increased that of the P-cycling enzyme (alkaline phosphatase). The 5% PE MPs shifted soil microbial community composition, and increased the number of specialist species, microbial community stability and networks resistance. Moreover, PE MPs altered microbial community assembly, with 5% treatment decreasing dispersal limitation proportion (from 13.66% to 9.96%). Overall, ecosystem multifunctionality was improved by 1% concentration, while reduced by 5% concentration of PE MPs. The activity of α/β-1, 4-glucosidase, urease and protease, and ammonium-N content were the most important predictors of ecosystem multifunctionality. These results underscore that PE MPs can alter soil microbial community assembly and ecosystem multifunctionality, and thus development and implementation of practicable solutions to control soil MPs pollution become increasingly imperative in sustainable agricultural production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqiang Liu
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in the Tropics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Department of Ecology, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jiahao Wen
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in the Tropics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Department of Ecology, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Zhenxiu Liu
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in the Tropics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Department of Ecology, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Hui Wei
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in the Tropics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Department of Ecology, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Centre of Modern Eco-agriculture and Circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Jiaen Zhang
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment in the Tropics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Department of Ecology, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Centre of Modern Eco-agriculture and Circular Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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9
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Wang Z, Tang K, Struik PC, Ashraf MN, Zhang T, Zhao Y, Wu R, Jin K, Li Y. Alteration of microbial carbon and nitrogen metabolism within the soil metagenome with grazing intensity at semiarid steppe. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 347:119078. [PMID: 37757683 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Grazing causes changes in microbiome metabolic pathways affecting plant growth and soil physicochemical properties. However, how grazing intensity affects microbial processes is poorly understood. In semiarid steppe grassland in northern China, shotgun metagenome sequencing was used to investigate variations in soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling-related genes after six years of the following grazing intensities: G0, control, no grazing; G1, 170 sheep days ha-1 year-1; G2, 340 sheep days ha-1 year-1; and G3, 510 sheep days ha-1 year-1. Taxa and functions of the soil microbiome associated with the C cycle decreased with increasing grazing intensity. Abundances of genes involved in C fixation and organic matter decomposition were altered in grazed sites, which could effects on vegetation decomposition and soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content. Compared with the control, the abundances of nitrification genes were higher in G1, but the abundances of N reduction and denitrification genes were lower, suggesting that light grazing promoted nitrification, inhibited denitrification, and increased soil NO3- content. Q-PCR further revealed that the copies of genes responsible for carbon fixation (cbbL) and denitrification (norB) decreased with increasing grazing intensity. The highest copy numbers of the nitrification genes AOA and AOB were in G1, whereas copy numbers of the denitrification gene nirK were the lowest. A multivariate regression tree indicated that changes in C fixation genes were linked to changes in soil DOC content, whereas soil NO3- content was linked with nitrification and denitrification under grazing. Thus, genes associated with C fixation and the N cycle affected how C fixation and N storage influenced soil physicochemical properties under grazing. The findings indicate that grazing intensity affected C and N metabolism. Proper grassland management regimes (e.g., G1) are beneficial to the balances between ecological protection of grasslands and plant production in the semiarid steppe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wang
- Grassland Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hohhot, 010010, China; Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecology and Restoration of Ministry of Agriculture, Hohhot, 010010, China
| | - Kai Tang
- Institute for Applied and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China
| | - Paul C Struik
- Centre for Crop Systems Analysis, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Muhammad Nadeem Ashraf
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Tongrui Zhang
- Grassland Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hohhot, 010010, China
| | - Yanning Zhao
- Grassland Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hohhot, 010010, China
| | - Riliga Wu
- Grassland Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hohhot, 010010, China; Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecology and Restoration of Ministry of Agriculture, Hohhot, 010010, China
| | - Ke Jin
- Grassland Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hohhot, 010010, China.
| | - Yuanheng Li
- Grassland Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hohhot, 010010, China.
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10
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Liu M, Yin F, Xiao Y, Yang C. Grazing alters the relationship between alpine meadow biodiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 898:165445. [PMID: 37442474 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) depends on changes in environmental disturbance. Plant and soil biological diversity can mediate EMF, but how these change in response to grazing disturbance remains unknown. Here we present an 8-year experiment on sheep grazing control in alpine grasslands in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, China. Plant species richness, FRic (functional richness), PD (Faith's phylogenetic diversity), soil biological diversity (bacterial, fungal, and ciliate diversity), and multiple ecosystem functions were measured and calculated. The results showed that increasing grazing intensity caused a decrease in biodiversity and EMF and that biodiversity and ecosystem function differed significantly (P < 0.05) between grazing intensities. EMF was positively correlated with species richness, functional diversity, and soil bacterial diversity (P < 0.05), with 23.6 %, 10.8 %, and 12.1 % of EMF explained by changes in grazing intensity, respectively. The interaction terms of grazing intensity, plant species richness, and soil biological diversity were negatively correlated with EMF (P < 0.05). This shift in the relationship between plant or soil biological diversity and EMF occurs at a grazing intensity index of around 0.7, i.e., the impact of plant species richness on EMF is more significant when the grazing intensity index is below 0.67. The effect of soil biological diversity on EMF is more substantial when the grazing intensity index is above 0.86. Conclusion: High grazing intensity directly affects soil bulk density and pH and indirectly affects EMF by regulating plant species richness and soil biological diversity changes. Loss of plant and soil biological diversity can have extreme consequences under low and high grazing intensity disturbance conditions. Therefore, we must develop biodiversity conservation strategies for external disturbances to mitigate the effects of land use practices such as grazing disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minxia Liu
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
| | - Fengling Yin
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Yindi Xiao
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Cunliang Yang
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
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11
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Tarnowski MJ, Varliero G, Scown J, Phelps E, Gorochowski TE. Soil as a transdisciplinary research catalyst: from bioprospecting to biorespecting. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230963. [PMID: 38026022 PMCID: PMC10646459 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The vast microbial biodiversity of soils is beginning to be observed and understood by applying modern DNA sequencing techniques. However, ensuring this potentially valuable information is used in a fair and equitable way remains a challenge. Here, we present a public engagement project that explores this topic through collaborative research of soil microbiomes at six urban locations using nanopore-based DNA sequencing. The project brought together researchers from the disciplines of synthetic biology, environmental humanities and microbial ecology, as well as school students aged 14-16 years old, to gain a broader understanding of views on the use of data from the environment. Discussions led to the transformation of 'bioprospecting', a metaphor with extractive connotations which is often used to frame environmental DNA sequencing studies, towards a more collaborative approach-'biorespecting'. This shift in terminology acknowledges that genetic information contained in soil arises as a result of entire ecosystems, including the people involved in its creation. Therefore, any use of sequence information should be accountable to the ecosystems from which it arose. As knowledge can arise from ecosystems and communities, science and technology should acknowledge this link and reciprocate with care and benefit-sharing to help improve the wellbeing of future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Tarnowski
- School of Biological Science, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
- School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Gilda Varliero
- Rhizosphere Processes Group, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Jim Scown
- Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Emily Phelps
- School of Biological Science, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Thomas E. Gorochowski
- School of Biological Science, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
- BrisEngBio, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
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Zhang Y, Gao X, Yuan Y, Hou L, Dang Z, Ma L. Plant and Soil Microbial Diversity Co-Regulate Ecosystem Multifunctionality during Desertification in a Temperate Grassland. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3743. [PMID: 37960099 PMCID: PMC10649343 DOI: 10.3390/plants12213743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Biodiversity plays a crucial role in driving multiple ecosystem functions in temperate grasslands. However, our understanding of how biodiversity regulates the impacts of desertification processes on ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) remains limited. In this study, we investigate plant diversity, soil microbial diversity (fungal, bacterial, archaeal, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) diversity), soil properties (soil water content, pH, and soil clay content), and multiple ecosystem functions (soil N mineralization, soil phosphatase activity, AMF infection rate, microbial biomass, plant biomass, and soil C and nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Fe, Na, Cu, Mg, and Mn)) at six different grassland desertification intensities. The random forest model was conducted to assess the importance of soil properties, plant diversity, and soil microbial diversity in driving EMF. Furthermore, a structural equation model (SEM) was employed to analyze the indirect and direct impacts of these predictors on EMF. Our study showed that plant, soil bacterial, fungal, and archaeal diversity gradually decreased with increasing desertification intensity. However, only AMF diversity was found to be less sensitive to desertification. Similarly, EMF also showed a significant decline with increasing desertification. Importantly, both plant and soil microbial diversity were positively associated with EMF during desertification processes. The random forest model and SEM revealed that both plant and soil microbial diversity were identified as important and direct predictors of EMF during desertification processes. This highlights the primary influence of above- and below-ground biodiversity in co-regulating the response of EMF to grassland desertification. These findings have important implications for planned ecosystem restoration and sustainable grassland management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeming Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Ecology and Resource Use of the Mongolian Plateau & Inner Mongolian Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecology, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China;
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Xiuli Gao
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China;
| | - Ye Yuan
- School of Urban Planning and Design, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China;
| | - Lei Hou
- Beijing Municipal Pollution Source Management Center, Beijing 100089, China;
| | - Zhenhua Dang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Ecology and Resource Use of the Mongolian Plateau & Inner Mongolian Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecology, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China;
| | - Linna Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
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13
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Zhang X, Feng Q, Cao J, Liu W, Qin Y, Zhu M, Han T. Grazing practices affect soil microbial networks but not diversity and composition in alpine meadows of northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 235:116656. [PMID: 37451580 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Livestock grazing is the primary practice in alpine meadows and can alter soil microbiomes, which is critical for ecosystem functions and services. Seasonal grazing (SG) and continuous grazing (CG) are two kinds of different grazing practices that dominate alpine meadows on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP), and how they affect soil microbial communities remains in-depth exploration. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of different grazing practices (i.e., SG and CG) on the diversity, composition, and co-occurrence networks of soil bacteria and fungi in QTP alpine meadows. Soil microbial α- and β-diversity showed no obvious difference between SG and CG grasslands. Grazing practices had little impact on soil microbial composition, except that the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Ascomycota showed significant difference between SG and CG grasslands. Soil microbial networks were more complex and less stable in SG grasslands than that in CG grasslands, and the bacterial networks were more complex than fungal networks. Soil fungal diversity was more strongly correlated with environmental factors than bacteria, whereas both fungal and bacterial structures were mainly influenced by soil pH, total nitrogen, and ammonium nitrogen. These findings indicate that microbial associations are more sensitive to grazing practices than microbial diversity and composition, and that SG may be a better grazing practice for ecological benefits in alpine meadows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Qi Feng
- Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
| | - Jianjun Cao
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.
| | - Wei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Qilian Mountains Eco-Environment Research Center in Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yanyan Qin
- Qilian Mountains Eco-Environment Research Center in Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Land Surface Process and Climate Change in Cold and Arid Regions, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Meng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Tuo Han
- Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
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14
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Zhang M, Delgado-Baquerizo M, Li G, Isbell F, Wang Y, Hautier Y, Wang Y, Xiao Y, Cai J, Pan X, Wang L. Experimental impacts of grazing on grassland biodiversity and function are explained by aridity. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5040. [PMID: 37598205 PMCID: PMC10439935 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40809-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Grazing by domestic herbivores is the most widespread land use on the planet, and also a major global change driver in grasslands. Yet, experimental evidence on the long-term impacts of livestock grazing on biodiversity and function is largely lacking. Here, we report results from a network of 10 experimental sites from paired grazed and ungrazed grasslands across an aridity gradient, including some of the largest remaining native grasslands on the planet. We show that aridity partly explains the responses of biodiversity and multifunctionality to long-term livestock grazing. Grazing greatly reduced biodiversity and multifunctionality in steppes with higher aridity, while had no effects in steppes with relatively lower aridity. Moreover, we found that long-term grazing further changed the capacity of above- and below-ground biodiversity to explain multifunctionality. Thus, while plant diversity was positively correlated with multifunctionality across grasslands with excluded livestock, soil biodiversity was positively correlated with multifunctionality across grazed grasslands. Together, our cross-site experiment reveals that the impacts of long-term grazing on biodiversity and function depend on aridity levels, with the more arid sites experiencing more negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality. We also highlight the fundamental importance of conserving soil biodiversity for protecting multifunctionality in widespread grazed grasslands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minna Zhang
- Institute of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of the Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Funcionamiento Ecosistémico. Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
- Unidad Asociada CSIC-UPO (BioFun). Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Guangyin Li
- Institute of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of the Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Heilongjiang Xingkai Lake Wetland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Forest Isbell
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA
| | - Yue Wang
- Institute of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of the Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Yann Hautier
- Ecology and Biodiversity Group, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Yao Wang
- Institute of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of the Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Yingli Xiao
- Institute of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of the Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Jinting Cai
- Institute of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of the Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaobin Pan
- Institute of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of the Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Institute of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of the Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China.
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15
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Zhang Q, Lu Y, Zhang C, Yao B, Su J. Effect of moderate livestock grazing on soil and vegetation characteristics in zokor mounds of different ages. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12459. [PMID: 37528212 PMCID: PMC10393963 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39530-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Mounds formed by plateau zokors (Eospalax baileyi) in alpine meadows are easily disturbed by livestock. We aimed to reveal the effect of moderate livestock grazing (from October 15 to March 15 of the following year) on plant and soil characteristics of zokor mounds. This study explored the effect of zokor mounds of different ages (2015-2018) on soil nutrient content, soil enzymatic activity, plant diversity, and aboveground biomass (AGB) at grazing and non-grazing sites. Compared with the non-grazing sites, soil organic carbon (SOC), total soil phosphorus, and ratio of SOC to total nitrogen were 16.6%-98.7% higher and soil urease activity was 8.4% and 9.6% higher in 1- and 3-year-old mounds, respectively, at the grazing sites. Grazing significantly increased the plant Pielou index, richness, and Shannon-Wiener diversity index of 4-year-old mounds by 20.7%-52.4%. Partial least squares path modeling showed that plant species diversity was the main factor affecting the plant AGB of mounds at the grazing sites, whereas soil enzyme activity was the primary factor at the non-grazing sites. We propose that moderate grazing increases soil nutrient content and the plant diversity in zokor mounds in alpine meadows, which should be considered in future grassland restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
- Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Yan Lu
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
- Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Caijun Zhang
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
- Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Baohui Yao
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
- Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Junhu Su
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.
- Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.
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16
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Shu X, Liu W, Hu Y, Xia L, Fan K, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Zhou W. Ecosystem multifunctionality and soil microbial communities in response to ecological restoration in an alpine degraded grassland. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1173962. [PMID: 37593047 PMCID: PMC10431941 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1173962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Linkages between microbial communities and multiple ecosystem functions are context-dependent. However, the impacts of different restoration measures on microbial communities and ecosystem functioning remain unclear. Here, a 14-year long-term experiment was conducted using three restoration modes: planting mixed grasses (MG), planting shrub with Salix cupularis alone (SA), and planting shrub with Salix cupularis plus planting mixed grasses (SG), with an extremely degraded grassland serving as the control (CK). Our objective was to investigate how ecosystem multifunctionality and microbial communities (diversity, composition, and co-occurrence networks) respond to different restoration modes. Our results indicated that most of individual functions (i.e., soil nutrient contents, enzyme activities, and microbial biomass) in the SG treatment were significantly higher than in the CK treatment, and even higher than MG and SA treatments. Compared with the CK treatment, treatments MG, SA, and SG significantly increased the multifunctionality index on average by 0.57, 0.23 and 0.76, respectively. Random forest modeling showed that the alpha-diversity and composition of bacterial communities, rather than fungal communities, drove the ecosystem multifunctionality. Moreover, we found that both the MG and SG treatments significantly improved bacterial network stability, which exhabited stronger correlations with ecosystem multifunctionality compared to fungal network stability. In summary, this study demonstrates that planting shrub and grasses altogether is a promising restoration mode that can enhance ecosystem multifunctionality and improve microbial diversity and stability in the alpine degraded grassland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyang Shu
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Weijia Liu
- Institute of Agricultural Bioenvironment and Energy, Chengdu Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Yufu Hu
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Longlong Xia
- Institute for Meteorology and Climate Research (IMK-IFU), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
| | - Kunkun Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanyan Zhang
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yulin Zhang
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
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17
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Arogoundade AM, Mutanga O, Odindi J, Naicker R. The role of remote sensing in tropical grassland nutrient estimation: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:954. [PMID: 37452968 PMCID: PMC10349770 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11562-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) ratio is a key indicator of nutrient utilization and limitations in rangelands. To understand the distribution of herbivores and grazing patterns, information on grass quality and quantity is important. In heterogeneous environments, remote sensing offers a timely, economical, and effective method for assessing foliar biochemical ratios at varying spatial and temporal scales. Hence, this study provides a synopsis of the advancement in remote sensing technology, limitations, and emerging opportunities in mapping the C:N ratio in rangelands. Specifically, the paper focuses on multispectral and hyperspectral sensors and investigates their properties, absorption features, empirical and physical methods, and algorithms in predicting the C:N ratio in grasslands. Literature shows that the determination of the C:N ratio in grasslands is not in line with developments in remote sensing technologies. Thus, the use of advanced and freely available sensors with improved spectral and spatial properties such as Sentinel 2 and Landsat 8/9 with sophisticated algorithms may provide new opportunities to estimate C:N ratio in grasslands at regional scales, especially in developing countries. Spectral bands in the near-infrared, shortwave infrared, red, and red edge were identified to predict the C:N ratio in plants. New indices developed from recent multispectral satellite imagery, for example, Sentinel 2 aided by cutting-edge algorithms, can improve the estimation of foliar biochemical ratios. Therefore, this study recommends that future research should adopt new satellite technologies with recent development in machine learning algorithms for improved mapping of the C:N ratio in grasslands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeola M. Arogoundade
- Discipline of Geography, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Department of Geography, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Onisimo Mutanga
- Discipline of Geography, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Department of Geography, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - John Odindi
- Discipline of Geography, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Department of Geography, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Rowan Naicker
- Discipline of Geography, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Department of Geography, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
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Yang Y, Zhang H, Liu W, Sun J, Zhao M, Han G, Pan Q. Effects of grazing intensity on diversity and composition of rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere microbial communities in a desert grassland. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10300. [PMID: 37441099 PMCID: PMC10333661 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10300] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Overgrazing-induced grassland degradation has become a serious ecological problem worldwide. The diversity and composition of soil microbial communities are sensitive to grazing disturbances. However, our understanding is limited with respect to the effects of grazing intensity on bacterial and fungal communities, especially in plant rhizosphere. Using a long-term grazing experiment, we evaluated the diversity and composition of microbial communities in both rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils under three grazing intensities (light, moderate, and heavy grazing) in a desert grassland and examined the relative roles of grazing-induced changes in some abiotic and biotic factors in affecting the diversity and composition of microbial communities. Our results showed that soil bacteria differed greatly in diversity and composition between rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere zones, and so did soil fungi. Moderate and heavy grazing significantly reduced the rhizosphere bacterial diversity. Grazing intensity substantially altered the bacterial composition and the fungal composition in both zones but with different mechanisms. While root nitrogen and soil nitrogen played an important role in shaping the rhizosphere bacterial composition, soil-available phosphorus greatly affected the non-rhizosphere bacterial composition and the fungal composition in both soils. This study provides direct experimental evidence that the diversity and composition of microbial communities were severely altered by heavy grazing on a desert grassland. Thus, to restore the grazing-induced, degraded grasslands, we should pay more attention to the conservation of soil microbes in addition to vegetation recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental ChangeInstitute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Inner Mongolia Agriculture UniversityCollege of Grassland, Resources and EnvironmentHohhotChina
| | - Hao Zhang
- Inner Mongolia Agriculture UniversityCollege of Grassland, Resources and EnvironmentHohhotChina
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental ChangeInstitute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jiamei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental ChangeInstitute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Mengli Zhao
- Inner Mongolia Agriculture UniversityCollege of Grassland, Resources and EnvironmentHohhotChina
| | - Guodong Han
- Inner Mongolia Agriculture UniversityCollege of Grassland, Resources and EnvironmentHohhotChina
| | - Qingmin Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental ChangeInstitute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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Luo Y, Chen Q, Liu F, Dai C. Both species richness and growth forms affect nutrient removal in constructed wetlands: A mesocosm experiment. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1139053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionPlant richness is thought to improve the function of constructed wetlands (CWs), but most CWs are planted with monocultures, with only a few employed polycultures, which have drawn contradictory conclusions. We suppose functional diversity is the key to better performance of plant communities and hypothesize that CWs planted with diverse growth forms are superior in plant growth and nutrient removal.MethodsIn this study, six emergent plant species categorized into slender type (Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Typha orientalis), fan type (Iris sibirica, Acorus calamus) and large type (Canna indica and Thalia dealbata) were planted in monocultures, combinations (two species of the same growth form) and mixed polycultures (six species of three growth forms). We then compared how plant growth and nutrient uptake differed among treatments.ResultsIt showed that the polyculture considerably increased the removal of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), but the combination did not outperform monoculture. High consistency in the patterns between underground biomass and total biomass indicated that plant roots were essential for nutrient consumption. Compared with slender and fan plants, the large plants had a greater biomass increase in polycultures, which greatly accelerated the absorption and assimilation of TN and TP.ConclusionOur study indicated that plant community with various growth forms reduced the intensity of interspecific competition, increased the functional diversity, and greatly enhanced the ability of pollutant removal. Our results also provide some suggestions for plant selection and combination designs in CWs.
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Su J, Ji W, Sun X, Wang H, Kang Y, Yao B. Effects of different management practices on soil microbial community structure and function in alpine grassland. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 327:116859. [PMID: 36450164 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Management practices, such as grazing exclusion and reseeding, have been implemented to mitigate the degradation of grassland. Low grazing intensities and reseeding increase grass production. Nevertheless, few studies have investigated the effects of these measures on the soil microbial community structure and function in the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau (QTP). To reveal the effects of management practices on soil microbes and give a reference to assess and improve ecosystems functions, we here evaluated the impact of various types of grazing (exclusion, seasonal, and traditional), reseeding (annual oat (Avena fatua) grassland (RO) and perennial artificial grassland cultivated >10 y), and integrated restoration (weed control and no-tillage reseeding) measures on soil microbial community structure and function in the QTP. The Shannon-Wiener diversity indices were highest for prokaryotes under RO and for fungi under integrated grassland restoration. Relative Actinobacteria abundance was higher under seasonal grazing than that under integrated grassland restoration. The latter had relatively higher abundances of Betaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Deltaproteobacteria and comparatively lower abundance of Thermoleophilia. There were significantly higher abundances of plant pathogens under seasonal grazing than those under other managements. There were significantly high proportions of pathotrophs and saprotrophs (10.0%) under seasonal and traditional grazing, respectively. The proportion of pathotrophs under integrated restoration (10.0%) was about seven-fold greater than that under grazing exclusion (1.5%). The relative differences among treatments in terms of soil water content, plant biomass, and soil C:N partially explained the differences in their prokaryotic community compositions. Increases in soil organic carbon and C:N may explain the observed changes in the soil fungal communities. The management practices affected soil microorganisms mainly by altering the soil nutrient profile. Grazing attracted specific pathotrophs and saprotrophs while repelling certain plant pathogens. Hence, modulations in soil microbial community structure and function must be considered in the process of planning for the implementation of grassland degradation management measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhu Su
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China; Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China; Gansu Qilianshan Grassland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Wuwei, 733200, China.
| | - Weihong Ji
- Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China; Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag, North Shore Mail Centre 0632, Auckland, 102 904rad, New Zealand
| | - Xiaomei Sun
- Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China; College of Resource and Environmental Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Haifang Wang
- Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China; College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Yukun Kang
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China; Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China; Gansu Qilianshan Grassland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Wuwei, 733200, China
| | - Baohui Yao
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China; Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China; Gansu Qilianshan Grassland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Wuwei, 733200, China
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Zhang Z, Hua T, Zhao Y, Li Y, Wang Y, Wang F, Sun J, Sun J. Divergent effects of moderate grazing duration on carbon sequestration between temperate and alpine grasslands in China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159621. [PMID: 36280069 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Moderate grazing has been widely proven to improve ecosystem functioning and have profound effects on the carbon cycling and storage in grassland ecosystems, which highly depend on grazing duration and grassland type. However, the effects of moderate grazing durations on carbon sequestration with different grassland types over broad geographic scales across China remain underexplored in the context of striving for carbon neutrality. Here, we explored the probably different responses of carbon sequestration to moderate grazing duration for temperate and alpine grasslands based on 129 published literatures regarding the China's grasslands. The results showed the soil organic carbon stocks were significantly increased during short-term (<5 years) grazing duration, while significantly decreased during medium- (5-10 years) and long-term (≥ 10 years) grazing durations in temperate grasslands. However, the soil organic carbon stocks were significantly decreased during short-term grazing duration, while showed no significant changes during medium- and long-term grazing durations in alpine grasslands. The changes in soil organic stock were significantly positively correlated with the changes in belowground biomass, root:shoot, and microbial biomass carbon (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the temperate grasslands change from carbon sink to carbon source with moderate grazing duration increasing, while the alpine grasslands present an opposite change pattern from carbon source to carbon sink, regulated by grazing-altered carbon input and microbial activities. Our study might have significant implications for future sustainable management practices for carbon sequestration of China's grasslands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenchao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in the Yellow River Delta, College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, China
| | - Ting Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yanhua Zhao
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in the Yellow River Delta, College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, China
| | - Yanpeng Li
- School of Mapping and Geographic Information, Jiangxi College of Applied Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Yi Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Institute of Agricultural Information and Economics, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No.23788, Industrial North Road, Jinan 250010, Shandong, China
| | - Juan Sun
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in the Yellow River Delta, College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, China.
| | - Jian Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Resources and Environment (TPESRE), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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Zhang Z, Zhao Y, Lin H, Li Y, Fu J, Wang Y, Sun J, Zhao Y. Comprehensive analysis of grazing intensity impacts alpine grasslands across the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau: A meta-analysis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 13:1083709. [PMID: 36733589 PMCID: PMC9887153 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1083709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Livestock grazing is a dominant practice in alpine grasslands and plays a crucial role in the ecosystem service of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The effects of grazing on alpine grasslands highly depends on grazing intensity. Up to now, we still lack comprehensive understanding of the general responses of alpine grasslands to different grazing intensities over broad geographic scales across the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis to explore the responses of plant characteristics and soil properties to grazing intensity in alpine grasslands of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau based on 52 peer-reviewed literatures. The results showed that grazing did not change the belowground biomass, while significantly increased the ratio of root to shoot (P< 0.05). Light grazing exhibited no significant effects on the plant richness, Shannon-Wiener diversity, soil water content, soil bulk density, nutrients, microbial biomass carbon, and microbial biomass nitrogen (P > 0.05). Moderate grazing significantly increased the plant richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity, while significantly decreased the soil organic carbon and total nitrogen (P< 0.05). Heavy grazing significantly decreased the plant richness, Shannon-Wiener diversity, water content, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon, and microbial biomass nitrogen, and significantly increased the soil bulk density (P< 0.05). These findings suggest that overgrazing is closely associated with grassland degradation, and moderate grazing is a sustainable practice to provide animal production and simultaneously maintain ecological functions for alpine grasslands on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenchao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in the Yellow River Delta, College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yiran Zhao
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in the Yellow River Delta, College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Hao Lin
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in the Yellow River Delta, College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yanpeng Li
- School of Mapping and Geographic Information, Jiangxi College of Applied Technology, Ganzhou, China
| | - Jinmin Fu
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in the Yellow River Delta, College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yingxin Wang
- Grassland Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Sun
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in the Yellow River Delta, College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yanhua Zhao
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Grassland Resources and Ecology in the Yellow River Delta, College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
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Ding L, Tian L, Li J, Zhang Y, Wang M, Wang P. Grazing lowers soil multifunctionality but boosts soil microbial network complexity and stability in a subtropical grassland of China. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1027097. [PMID: 36687566 PMCID: PMC9849757 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1027097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Long-term grazing profoundly affects grassland ecosystems, whereas how the soil microbiome and multiple soil ecosystem functions alter in response to two-decades of grazing, especially how soil microbiome (diversity, composition, network complexity, and stability) forms soil multifunctionality is rarely addressed. Methods We used a long-term buffalo grazing grassland to measure the responses of soil physicochemical attributes, stoichiometry, enzyme activities, soil microbial niche width, structure, functions, and networks to grazing in a subtropical grassland of Guizhou Plateau, China. Results The evidence from this work suggested that grazing elevated the soil hardness, available calcium content, and available magnesium content by 6.5, 1.9, and 1.9 times (p = 0.00015-0.0160) and acid phosphatase activity, bulk density, pH by 59, 8, and 0.5 unit (p = 0.0014-0.0370), but decreased the soil water content, available phosphorus content, and multifunctionality by 47, 73, and 9-21% (p = 0.0250-0.0460), respectively. Grazing intensified the soil microbial carbon limitation (+78%, p = 0.0260) as indicated by the increased investment in the soil β-glucosidase activity (+90%, p = 0.0120). Grazing enhanced the complexity and stability of the bacterial and fungal networks but reduced the bacterial Simpson diversity (p < 0.05). The bacterial diversity, network complexity, and stability had positive effects, while bacterial and fungal compositions had negative effects on multifunctionality. Discussions This work is an original attempt to show that grazing lowered multifunctionality via the reduced bacterial diversity and shifted soil bacterial and fungal compositions rather than the enhanced bacterial and fungal network complexities and stability by grazing. Protecting the bacterial diversity from decreasing, optimizing the composition of bacteria and fungi, and enhancing the complexity and stability of bacterial network may be conducive to improving the soil multifunction of grazing grassland, on a subtropical grassland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leilei Ding
- Guizhou Institute of Prataculture, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Lili Tian
- College of Life Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Jingyi Li
- Guizhou Institute of Prataculture, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yujun Zhang
- Guizhou Institute of Prataculture, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Mengya Wang
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Puchang Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
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Sheng Z, Du J, Li L, Li E, Sun B, Mao J, Zhang Y, Zhang J, Diao Z. Grazing alters ecosystem multifunctionality via changes in taxonomic diversity and functional identity in temperate grassland, China. Glob Ecol Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
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Zhang R, Tian D, Wang J, Pan J, Zhu J, Li Y, Yan Y, Song L, Wang S, Chen C, Niu S. Dryness weakens the positive effects of plant and fungal β diversities on above- and belowground biomass. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:6629-6639. [PMID: 36054413 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plant and microbial diversity are key to determine ecosystem functioning. Despite the well-known role of local-scale α diversity in affecting vegetation biomass, the effects of community heterogeneity (β diversity) of plants and soil microbes on above- and belowground biomass (AGB and BGB) across contrasting environments still remain unclear. Here, we conducted a dryness-gradient transect survey over 3000 km across grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau. We found that plant β diversity was more dominant than α diversity in maintaining higher levels of AGB, while soil fungal β diversity was the key driver in enhancing BGB. However, these positive effects of plant and microbial β diversity on AGB and BGB were strongly weakened by increasing climatic dryness, mainly because higher soil available phosphorus caused by increasing dryness reduced both plant and soil fungal β diversities. Overall, these new findings highlight the critical role of above- and belowground β diversity in sustaining grassland biomass, raising our awareness to the ecological risks of large-scale biotic homogenization under future climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Dashuan Tian
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinsong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Junxiao Pan
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Juntao Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Li
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingjie Yan
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Song
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Song Wang
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuli Niu
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Department of Environment and Resources, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Li J, Yue L, Zhao Q, Cao X, Tang W, Chen F, Wang C, Wang Z. Prediction models on biomass and yield of rice affected by metal (oxide) nanoparticles using nano-specific descriptors. NANOIMPACT 2022; 28:100429. [PMID: 36130713 DOI: 10.1016/j.impact.2022.100429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The use of in silico tools to investigate the interactions between metal (oxide) nanoparticles (NPs) and plant biological responses is preferred because it allows us to understand molecular mechanisms and improve prediction efficiency by saving time, labor, and cost. In this study, four models (C5.0 decision tree, discriminant function analysis, random forest, and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis) were applied to predict the effect of NPs on rice biomass and yield. Nano-specific descriptors (size-dependent molecular descriptors and image-based descriptors) were introduced to estimate the behavior of NPs in plants to appropriately represent the wide space of NPs. The results showed that size-dependent molecular descriptors (e.g., E-state and connectivity indices) and image-based descriptors (e.g., extension, area, and minimum ferret diameter) were associated with the behavior of NPs in rice. The performance of the constructed models was within acceptable ranges (correlation coefficient ranged from 0.752 to 0.847 for biomass and from 0.803 to 0.905 for yield, while the accuracy ranged from 64% to 77% for biomass and 81% to 89% for yield). The developed model can be used to quickly and efficiently evaluate the impact of NPs under a wide range of experimental conditions and sufficient training data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Institute of Environmental Processotes and Pollution Control, and School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Le Yue
- Institute of Environmental Processotes and Pollution Control, and School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Qing Zhao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China; National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Xuesong Cao
- Institute of Environmental Processotes and Pollution Control, and School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Weihao Tang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China; National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Feiran Chen
- Institute of Environmental Processotes and Pollution Control, and School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Chuanxi Wang
- Institute of Environmental Processotes and Pollution Control, and School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
| | - Zhenyu Wang
- Institute of Environmental Processotes and Pollution Control, and School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
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Jiang LM, Sattar K, Lü GH, Hu D, Zhang J, Yang XD. Different contributions of plant diversity and soil properties to the community stability in the arid desert ecosystem. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:969852. [PMID: 36092411 PMCID: PMC9453452 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.969852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As a one of the focuses of ecological research, understanding the regulation of plant diversity on community stability is helpful to reveal the adaption of plant to environmental changes. However, the relationship between plant diversity and community stability is still controversial due to the scale effect of its influencing factors. In this study, we compared the changes in community stability and different plant diversity (i.e., species, functional, and phylogenetic diversities) between three communities (i.e., riparian forest, ecotone community, and desert shrubs), and across three spatial scales (i.e., 100, 400, and 2500 m2), and then quantified the contribution of soil properties and plant diversity to community stability by using structural equation model (SEM) in the Ebinur Lake Basin Nature Reserve of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the NW China. The results showed that: (1) community stability differed among three communities (ecotone community > desert shrubs > riparian forest). The stability of three communities all decreased with the increase of spatial scale (2) species diversity, phylogenetic richness and the mean pairwise phylogenetic distance were higher in ecotone community than that in desert shrubs and riparian forest, while the mean nearest taxa distance showed as riparian forest > ecotone community > desert shrubs. (3) Soil ammonium nitrogen and total phosphorus had the significant direct negative and positive effects on the community stability, respectively. Soil ammonium nitrogen and total phosphorus also indirectly affected community stability by adjusting plant diversity. The interaction among species, functional and phylogenetic diversities also regulated the variation of community stability across the spatial scales. Our results suggested that the effect of plant diversities on community stability were greater than that of soil factors. The asynchronous effect caused by the changes in species composition and functional traits among communities had a positive impact on the stability. Our study provided a theoretical support for the conservation and management of biodiversity and community functions in desert areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- La-Mei Jiang
- College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Ürümqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology of Education Ministry, Xinjiang University, Ürümqi, China
- Xinjiang Jinghe Observation and Research Station of Temperate Desert Ecosystem, Ministry of Education, Jinghe, China
| | - Kunduz Sattar
- Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Forestry Planning Institute, Ürümqi, China
| | - Guang-Hui Lü
- College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Ürümqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology of Education Ministry, Xinjiang University, Ürümqi, China
- Xinjiang Jinghe Observation and Research Station of Temperate Desert Ecosystem, Ministry of Education, Jinghe, China
| | - Dong Hu
- College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Ürümqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology of Education Ministry, Xinjiang University, Ürümqi, China
- Xinjiang Jinghe Observation and Research Station of Temperate Desert Ecosystem, Ministry of Education, Jinghe, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Yang
- College of Geography and Tourism Culture, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
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Hao X, Yang J, Dong S, Shen H, He F, Zhi Y, Kwaku EA, Tu D, Dou S, Zhou X, Yang Z. Impacts of Short-Term Grazing Intensity on the Plant Diversity and Ecosystem Function of Alpine Steppe on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11141889. [PMID: 35890523 PMCID: PMC9318276 DOI: 10.3390/plants11141889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Livestock grazing is the primary land use of grasslands worldwide. Grazing has been asserted to alter grassland ecosystem functions, such as productivity, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity conservation. However, few studies have focused on the impact of grazing intensity on the ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) of alpine grasslands. We conducted a field experiment of manipulating sheep grazing intensity effects on alpine steppe by surveying plant community characteristics and ecosystem functions. Our results showed that plant community composition was altered with increasing grazing intensity, and the dominant species shifted from grasses and sedges to forbs. EMF was the highest under no grazing (CK) and the lowest under heavy grazing (HG), but there was insignificant difference between CK and HG. HG significantly decreased some indicators that reflected nutrient cycling functions, such as soil available nitrogen, plant leaf nitrogen (PN) and phosphorus content (PP). Furthermore, plant diversity had strong correlations with SOC, total nitrogen (TN), and PN. The results could provide scientific bases for biodiversity conservation and sustainable grazing management of alpine steppe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinghai Hao
- School of Grassland Science, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (X.H.); (H.S.); (F.H.)
| | - Juejie Yang
- School of Grassland Science, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (X.H.); (H.S.); (F.H.)
- Correspondence: (J.Y.); (S.D.)
| | - Shikui Dong
- School of Grassland Science, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (X.H.); (H.S.); (F.H.)
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; (Y.Z.); (E.A.K.)
- Correspondence: (J.Y.); (S.D.)
| | - Hao Shen
- School of Grassland Science, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (X.H.); (H.S.); (F.H.)
| | - Fengcai He
- School of Grassland Science, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; (X.H.); (H.S.); (F.H.)
| | - Yangliu Zhi
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; (Y.Z.); (E.A.K.)
| | - Emmanuella A. Kwaku
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; (Y.Z.); (E.A.K.)
| | - Danjia Tu
- Grassland Improvement Experimental Station of Qinghai Province, Gonghe 813099, China; (D.T.); (S.D.); (X.Z.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Shengyun Dou
- Grassland Improvement Experimental Station of Qinghai Province, Gonghe 813099, China; (D.T.); (S.D.); (X.Z.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Xueli Zhou
- Grassland Improvement Experimental Station of Qinghai Province, Gonghe 813099, China; (D.T.); (S.D.); (X.Z.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Zhengrong Yang
- Grassland Improvement Experimental Station of Qinghai Province, Gonghe 813099, China; (D.T.); (S.D.); (X.Z.); (Z.Y.)
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Li Z, Liu X, Zhang M, Xing F. Plant Diversity and Fungal Richness Regulate the Changes in Soil Multifunctionality in a Semi-Arid Grassland. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:870. [PMID: 35741391 PMCID: PMC9220314 DOI: 10.3390/biology11060870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Loss in plant diversity is expected to impact biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF) in terrestrial ecosystems. Soil microbes play essential roles in regulating ecosystem functions. However, the important roles and differences in bacterial and fungal diversity and rare microbial taxa in driving soil multifunctionality based on plant diversity remain poorly understood in grassland ecosystems. Here, we carried out an experiment in six study sites with varied plant diversity levels to evaluate the relationships between soil bacterial and fungal diversity, rare taxa, and soil multifunctionality in a semi-arid grassland. We used Illumina HiSeq sequencing to determine soil bacterial and fungal diversity and evaluated soil functions associated with the nutrient cycle. We found that high diversity plant assemblages had a higher ratio of below-ground biomass to above-ground biomass, soil multifunctionality, and lower microbial carbon limitation than those with low diversity. Moreover, the fungal richness was negatively and significantly associated with microbial carbon limitations. The fungal richness was positively related to soil multifunctionality, but the bacterial richness was not. We also found that the relative abundance of saprotrophs was positively correlated with soil multifunctionality, and the relative abundance of pathogens was negatively correlated with soil multifunctionality. In addition, the rare fungal taxa played a disproportionate role in regulating soil multifunctionality. Structural equation modeling showed that the shift of plant biomass allocation patterns increased plant below-ground biomass in the highly diverse plant plots, which can alleviate soil microbial carbon limitations and enhance the fungal richness, thus promoting soil multifunctionality. Overall, these findings expand our comprehensive understanding of the critical role of soil fungal diversity and rare taxa in regulating soil multifunctionality under global plant diversity loss scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Li
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Ministry of Education, Changchun 130024, China; (Z.L.); (X.L.); (M.Z.)
- Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Xiaowei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Ministry of Education, Changchun 130024, China; (Z.L.); (X.L.); (M.Z.)
- Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Minghui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Ministry of Education, Changchun 130024, China; (Z.L.); (X.L.); (M.Z.)
- Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Fu Xing
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Ministry of Education, Changchun 130024, China; (Z.L.); (X.L.); (M.Z.)
- Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Changchun 130024, China
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Yang H, Xu C, Chu J, Chen J, Gan H, Zhou Z. A rare shrub species as flagship for conserving desert steppe in arid Inner Mongolia. NATURE CONSERVATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.48.79902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The rare species Amygdalus pedunculata Pall. (Rosaceae) in arid northern China is endangered to the point of extinction. Determined to save it, the local government of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region encouraged the herdsmen to limit grazing activities. Here, we are testing if this species could be considered as a conspicuous flagship for restoring and conserving wind-sensitive arid lands as desert steppe in northern China. We examined statistically the growing states and environmental roles of A. pedunculata populations under the comparative conditions of free and limited grazing in winter since the year 2001. This species was observed to play a critical role in preventing wind erosion and stabilising the lands, as was indicated by the formation of micro-dunes under the shrubs. This role can be attributed mainly to the crown diameters or cover from the shrubs. Under the grazing limitation condition, accompanying species and plants around the shrubs increased significantly. Regardless of free or limited grazing conditions, the shrubs were not observed to inhibit the occurrence or growth of other plants. The grazing limitation over a period of 20 years has caused the effective revival of the rare A. pedunculata species, with statistically larger and taller A. pedunculata individuals than under the free grazing condition, as well as a slightly higher population density and total crown cover. The grazing limitation policy for saving A. pedunculata is believed to be effective and the rare A. pedunculata shrub is a conspicuous flagship for helping to conserve wind-sensitive desert steppe in terms of ecosystem integrity and authenticity.
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Nafees M, Ullah S, Ahmed I. Modulation of drought adversities in Vicia faba by the application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and biochar. Microsc Res Tech 2022; 85:1856-1869. [PMID: 34994497 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Drought is the greatest threat to world food security, seen as the catalyst for the great famines of the past. Given that the world's water supply is limited, it is likely that future demand of food for increasing population will further exacerbate the drought effects. Therefore, the present study was aimed to investigate the effect of biochar and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) Sphingobacterium pakistanensis (NCCP246) and Cellulomonas pakistanensis (NCCP11) on agronomic and physiological attributes of Vicia faba two varieties Desi (V1) and Pulista (V2) under induced drought stress. The seeds were sown in earthen pots filled with 3 kg sand and soil (1:2), and biochar (0 and 5% w/w) in triplicate arranged in complete randomized design. Analysis of biochar possessed 0.49 g cm-3 bulk density, 9.6 pH; 5.4 cmol kg-1 cation exchange capacity, 3.64% organic carbon and EC 6.7 ds/m. Agronomic attributes including seed LAI, LAR, SVI, %PHSI and RWC were improved by 30.4-180.4%, 14.37-47.20%, 37.64-50.91%, 18.21-30.80, and 35.82-54.34% in both varieties by the co-application of biochar and PGPR. Stomatal physiology and epidermal vigor was successfully improved by the application of PGPR and biochar as analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Photosynthetic pigments, flavonoids, phenols, proline and glycine betaine were amplified by 58.33-173.8%, 50.59-130.33%, 46.58-86.62%, 46.66-109.30%, 35.74-56.10%, and 21.96-77.22% in both varieties by the co-application of biochar and PGPR. So, the present work concluded that, combined application of biochar and PGPR could be an effective strategy to alleviate the adversities of drought in V. faba growing in drastic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Nafees
- Department of Botany, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Sami Ullah
- Department of Botany, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Iftikhar Ahmed
- National Culture Collection of Pakistan, Bio-resources Conservation Institute (BCI), National Agriculture Research Center, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Bai X, Zhao W, Wang J, Ferreira CSS. Precipitation drives the floristic composition and diversity of temperate grasslands in China. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Ma Z, Wu J, Li L, Zhou Q, Hou F. Litter-Induced Reduction in Ecosystem Multifunctionality Is Mediated by Plant Diversity and Cover in an Alpine Meadow. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:773804. [PMID: 34899801 PMCID: PMC8656275 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.773804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Litter has been shown to alter the structure and functions of grassland ecosystems, and a knowledge of the effects of litter is essential for understanding the dynamics of ecosystem multifunctionality. However, relatively little is known about the effects of plant litter on ecosystem multifunctionality in alpine meadows. A three-year field experiment was conducted to explore how litter manipulation affects ecosystem multifunctionality. The plant litter treatments that were applied consisted of a range of litter mass levels and three dominant plant species, in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The results showed that litter mass manipulation had a negative effect on ecosystem multifunctionality and most individual ecosystem functions (species richness, plant cover, and above-ground biomass) but had a positive effect on plant functional group evenness. In particular, the study found that low or medium amounts of litter (≤200gm-2) were beneficial in maintaining a high level of ecosystem multifunctionality. Furthermore, a structural equation model revealed that ecosystem multifunctionality was driven by indirect effects of litter mass manipulation on plant functional group evenness, plant cover, and species richness. These results suggest that litter-induced effects may be a major factor in determining grassland ecosystem multifunctionality, and they indicate the potential importance of grassland management strategies that regulate the dynamics of litter accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhouwen Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qingping Zhou
- Institute of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fujiang Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Wang Y, Liu M, Chen Y, Zeng T, Lu X, Yang B, Wang Y, Zhang L, Nie X, Xiao F, Zhang Z, Sun J. Plants and Microbes Mediate the Shift in Ecosystem Multifunctionality From Low to High Patterns Across Alpine Grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:760599. [PMID: 34721489 PMCID: PMC8554250 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.760599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Both plant communities and soil microbes have been reported to be correlated with ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the process and mechanism of aboveground and belowground communities on different EMF patterns are not clear. In order to explore different response patterns and mechanisms of EMF, we divided EMF into low (<0) and high patterns (>0). We found that there were contrasting patterns of low and high EMF in the alpine grassland ecosystem on the Tibetan Plateau. Specifically, compared with low EMF, environmental factors showed higher sensitivity to high EMF. Soil properties are critical factors that mediate the impact of community functions on low EMF based on the change of partial correlation coefficients from 0 to 0.24. In addition, plant community functions and microbial biomass may mediate the shift of EMF from low to high patterns through the driving role of climate across the alpine grassland ecosystem. Our findings will be vital to clarify the mechanism for the stability properties of grassland communities and ecosystems under ongoing and future climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- College of Management Science and Engineering, Guangxi University of Finance and Economics, Nanning, China
- School of Life Sciences and School of Ecology, State Key Laboratory of Biological Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Resources and Environment (TPESRE), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Miao Liu
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Youchao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Tao Zeng
- College of Earth Sciences, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuyang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Natural Resources Comprehensive Survey Command Center, China Geological Survey, Beijing, China
| | - Yafeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Resources and Environment (TPESRE), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Resources and Environment (TPESRE), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaowei Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Resources and Environment (TPESRE), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Feipeng Xiao
- College of Management Science and Engineering, Guangxi University of Finance and Economics, Nanning, China
| | - Zhigang Zhang
- College of Management Science and Engineering, Guangxi University of Finance and Economics, Nanning, China
| | - Jian Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Resources and Environment (TPESRE), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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