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Xiao L, Leng M, Greenwood P, Zhao R, Xie Z, You Z, Liu J. Temporal and vertical dynamics of carbon accumulation potential under grazing-excluded grasslands in China: The role of soil bulk density. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 351:119696. [PMID: 38042080 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119696] [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: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite the progress made in understanding relevant carbon dynamics under grazing exclusion, previous studies have underestimated the role of soil bulk density (BD), and its implications for potential accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC), especially at regional scale over long term. In this study, we first constructed a database covering a vast majority of the grasslands in northwestern China based on 131 published literatures. A synthesis was then conducted by analyzing the experimental data to comprehensively investigate the mechanisms of vegetation recovery, carbon-nitrogen coupling, and the importance of changed soil BD in evaluating SOC sequestration potential. The results showed that although the recovery of vegetation height and cover were both critical for improving vegetation biomass, vegetation height required a longer recovery period. While the SOC accumulation was found to be greater in surface layers than deeper ones, it exhibited a reduced capacity for carbon sequestration and an increased risk of SOC loss. Grazing exclusion significantly reduced soil BD across different soil profiles, with the rate of change influenced by soil depth, time, geographical and climatic conditions. The potential for SOC accumulation in the top 30 cm of soil based on data of 2003-2022 was 0.78 Mg ha-1 yr-1 without considering BD effects, which was significantly underestimated compared to that of 1.16 Mg ha-1 yr-1 when BD changes were considered properly. This suggests that the efficiency of grazing exclusion in carbon sequestration and climate mitigation may have been previously underreported. Furthermore, mean annual precipitation represented the most relevant environmental factor that positively correlated to SOC accumulation, and a wetter climate may offer greater potential for carbon accumulation. Overall, this study implies grazing exclusion may play an even more critical role in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation over long-term than previously recognized, which provides essential scientific evidence for implementing stepwise ecological restoration in grasslands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangang Xiao
- College of Surveying and Geo-informatics, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, 450045, China
| | - Mingkai Leng
- College of Surveying and Geo-informatics, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, 450045, China; College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi, 435002, China
| | - Philip Greenwood
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Basel, Basel, 4056, Switzerland
| | - Rongqin Zhao
- College of Surveying and Geo-informatics, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, 450045, China
| | - Zhixiang Xie
- College of Surveying and Geo-informatics, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, 450045, China
| | - Zengtao You
- College of Surveying and Geo-informatics, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, 450045, China
| | - Junguo Liu
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Hydrosphere and Watershed Water Security, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, 450046, China; School of Water Conservancy, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
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2
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Li J, He B, Zhou S, Zhang X, Li C, Han G. Prediction of plant diversity under different stocking rates based on functional traits of constructive species in a desert steppe, northern China. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.865703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive grazing causes a decrease in plant diversity of grassland and also leads to changes in the functional traits of grassland plants. Based on the relationship between plant diversity and the functional traits of constructive species, the patterns of change in plant diversity can be predicted based on change in plant functional traits under different stocking rates. For the present study, Stipa breviflora desert steppe in Inner Mongolia was studied to characterize the plant community and population characteristics and plant functional traits of S. breviflora in grazing areas with different stocking rates [without grazing, light grazing (LG, 0.93 sheep unit hm–2half yr–1), moderate grazing (MG, 1.82 sheep unit hm–2half yr–1), heavy grazing (HG, 2.71 sheep unit hm–2 half yr–1)]. The results showed that: (1) LG significantly weakened the competitive advantage of the constructive species (S. breviflora) (P < 0.05), while HG significantly strengthened its competitive advantage in the community (P < 0.05); (2) Changes in plant diversity were generally significantly related to changes in S. breviflora root traits. The competitive advantage of S. breviflora in the community and the change in root traits could be used to predict the change in plant diversity in the desert steppe under different stocking rates. This research can provide a theoretical basis for maintaining plant diversity and sustainability in the desert steppe.
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3
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Apfelbaum SI, Thompson R, Wang F, Mosier S, Teague R, Byck P. Vegetation, water infiltration, and soil carbon response to Adaptive Multi-Paddock and Conventional grazing in Southeastern USA ranches. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 308:114576. [PMID: 35101805 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We examine Adaptive Multi-Paddock (AMP) grazed with short grazing events and planned recovery periods and paired ranches using Conventional Continuous Grazing (CG) at low stock density on vegetation, water infiltration, and soil carbon across SE USA. Increased vegetation standing biomass and plant species dominance-diversity were measured in AMP grazed ranches. Invasive perennial plant species richness and abundance increased with AMP grazing in the south, while in the north they increased on CG grazed ranches. Percent bare ground was significantly greater in CG at the Alabama and Mississippi sites, no different at the Kentucky and mid-Alabama sites, and greater on AMP at the Tennessee pair. On average, surface water infiltration was higher on AMP than paired CG ranches. Averaged over all locations, soil organic carbon stocks to a depth of 1 m were over 13% greater on AMP than CG ranches, and standing crop biomass was >300% higher on AMP ranches. AMP grazing supported substantially higher livestock stocking levels while providing significant improvements in vegetation, soil carbon, and water infiltration functions. AMP grazing also significantly increased available forage nutrition for key constituents, and increased soil carbon to provide significant resource and economic benefits for improving ecological health, resilience, and durability of the family ranch.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ry Thompson
- RES, LLC, 17921 Smith Rd, Brodhead, WI, 53520, USA
| | - Fugui Wang
- Applied Ecological Institute N673 Mill Rd, Juda, WI, 53520, USA; RES, LLC, 17921 Smith Rd, Brodhead, WI, 53520, USA
| | - Samantha Mosier
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - Peter Byck
- School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA; Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
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4
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Rasmussen DJ, Kulp S, Kopp RE, Oppenheimer M, Strauss BH. Popular extreme sea level metrics can better communicate impacts. CLIMATIC CHANGE 2022; 170:30. [PMID: 35221398 PMCID: PMC8847277 DOI: 10.1007/s10584-021-03288-6] [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: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Estimates of changes in the frequency or height of contemporary extreme sea levels (ESLs) under various climate change scenarios are often used by climate and sea level scientists to help communicate the physical basis for societal concern regarding sea level rise. Changes in ESLs (i.e., the hazard) are often represented using various metrics and indicators that, when anchored to salient impacts on human systems and the natural environment, provide useful information to policy makers, stakeholders, and the general public. While changes in hazards are often anchored to impacts at local scales, aggregate global summary metrics generally lack the context of local exposure and vulnerability that facilitates translating hazards into impacts. Contextualizing changes in hazards is also needed when communicating the timing of when projected ESL frequencies cross critical thresholds, such as the year in which ESLs higher than the design height benchmark of protective infrastructure (e.g., the 100-year water level) are expected to occur within the lifetime of that infrastructure. We present specific examples demonstrating the need for such contextualization using a simple flood exposure model, local sea level rise projections, and population exposure estimates for 414 global cities. We suggest regional and global climate assessment reports integrate global, regional, and local perspectives on coastal risk to address hazard, vulnerability and exposure simultaneously. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10584-021-03288-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. J. Rasmussen
- Princeton School of Public & International Affairs, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ USA
| | | | - Robert E. Kopp
- Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ USA
- Institute of Earth, Ocean, & Atmospheric Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ USA
| | - Michael Oppenheimer
- Princeton School of Public & International Affairs, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ USA
- Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ USA
- High Meadows Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ USA
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5
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Chang EES, Ho PWL, Liu HF, Pang SYY, Leung CT, Malki Y, Choi ZYK, Ramsden DB, Ho SL. LRRK2 mutant knock-in mouse models: therapeutic relevance in Parkinson's disease. Transl Neurodegener 2022; 11:10. [PMID: 35152914 PMCID: PMC8842874 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-022-00285-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 gene (LRRK2) are one of the most frequent genetic causes of both familial and sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD). Mounting evidence has demonstrated pathological similarities between LRRK2-associated PD (LRRK2-PD) and sporadic PD, suggesting that LRRK2 is a potential disease modulator and a therapeutic target in PD. LRRK2 mutant knock-in (KI) mouse models display subtle alterations in pathological aspects that mirror early-stage PD, including increased susceptibility of nigrostriatal neurotransmission, development of motor and non-motor symptoms, mitochondrial and autophagy-lysosomal defects and synucleinopathies. This review provides a rationale for the use of LRRK2 KI mice to investigate the LRRK2-mediated pathogenesis of PD and implications from current findings from different LRRK2 KI mouse models, and ultimately discusses the therapeutic potentials against LRRK2-associated pathologies in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunice Eun Seo Chang
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Philip Wing-Lok Ho
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Hui-Fang Liu
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shirley Yin-Yu Pang
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chi-Ting Leung
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yasine Malki
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zoe Yuen-Kiu Choi
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, China
| | - David Boyer Ramsden
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Shu-Leong Ho
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, China.
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6
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Wu L, Liu H, Liang B, Zhu X, Cao J, Wang Q, Jiang L, Cressey EL, Quine TA. A process-based model reveals the restoration gap of degraded grasslands in Inner Mongolian steppe. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:151324. [PMID: 34749967 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151324] [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: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Due to the influence of climate change and extensive grazing, a large proportion of steppe grassland has been degraded worldwide. The Chinese government initiated a series of grassland restoration programs to reverse the degradation. However, the limiting factors and the restoration potential remain unknown. Here we present a process-based model to assess the restoration gap (RG) defined as maximum biomass differences between non-degraded and degraded grasslands with different degrees of soil and vegetation degradation. The process-based model Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) was evaluated utilizing observation data from both typical and meadow steppes under natural conditions in terms of phenology, dynamics of above-ground biomass and soil water content. Scenario analysis and sensitivity analysis were subsequently performed to address the RG and controlling factors during 1969-2018. The results showed that the calibrated model performed well with r > 0.75 and model efficiency factor EF > 0.5 for all the simulation components. According to our model results, the RG was larger in typical steppe compared to that of meadow steppe and it increased with increasing soil and/or vegetation degradation, to ~60% under extremely degraded scenarios. Both soil and vegetation degradation led to reduced water use efficiency, with an elevated proportion of soil evaporation to evapotranspiration (Es/ET), however, the limiting factor for RG varied. The degradation of soil water holding capacity contributed more to RG regardless of climate conditions for typical steppe in all years and for meadow steppe in dry years. In wet years the importance of vegetation coverage reduction increased for RG in meadow steppe, where the relative importance of vegetation coverage (valued at 62.8%) was 25.6% higher than that of soil degradation. Our results demonstrated the importance of considering climate variations when developing protection and restoration programs for grassland ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wu
- College of Urban and Environmental Science and MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyan Liu
- College of Urban and Environmental Science and MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Boyi Liang
- College of Urban and Environmental Science and MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinrong Zhu
- College of Urban and Environmental Science and MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Cao
- College of Urban and Environmental Science and MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiuming Wang
- College of Urban and Environmental Science and MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lubing Jiang
- College of Urban and Environmental Science and MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Elizabeth L Cressey
- Geography, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4RJ, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy A Quine
- Geography, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4RJ, United Kingdom
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7
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Xiang M, Wu J, Wu J, Guo Y, Lha D, Pan Y, Zhang X. Heavy Grazing Altered the Biodiversity–Productivity Relationship of Alpine Grasslands in Lhasa River Valley, Tibet. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.698707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Grazing is a crucial anthropogenic disturbance on grasslands. However, it is unknown how livestock grazing affects the relationship between biodiversity and productivity of alpine grasslands in Tibet. We carried out a grazing-manipulated experiment from 2016 to 2019 with grazing intensity levels of null (control, grazing exclusion, C.K.), moderate grazing [1.65 standardized sheep unit (SSU) per hectare, M.G.], and heavy grazing (2.47 SSU per hectare, H.G.) on a typical alpine grassland in the Lhasa River Basin, central Tibet. We measured aboveground biomass (AGB), species assembly (alpha and beta diversity indices), and soil nutrients’ availability. The results showed that grazing differently affected plant community in different treatments. Notably, the total dissimilarity value between C.K. and H.G. is 0.334. Grazing decreased the Shannon–Wiener index, increased the Berger–Parker index from 2016 to 2018 significantly, and decreased AGB and total soil nitrogen (STN) significantly. Our results also showed that the grazing affected the relationship between AGB and diversity indices and soil nutrients, including soil organic carbon (SOC) and total soil phosphorus (STP). Specifically, AGB decreased with increasing SOC and STP in all treatments, and heavy grazing changed the positive relationships between AGB, STP, and Shannon–Wiener index to negative correlations significantly compared with grazing exclusion. There was a significant negative correlation between Berger–Parker and Shannon–Wiener indices under each treatment. The general linear models showed that H.G. altered the relationship between diversity and productivity of grassland in central Tibet, and AGB and Shannon–Wiener index positively correlated in C.K. but negatively correlated in H.G. Our study suggests that H.G. caused a negative relationship between plant diversity and productivity. Therefore, sustainable grazing management calls for a need of better understanding the relationship between biodiversity and productivity of alpine grassland in central Tibet.
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8
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Ji G, Li B, Yin H, Liu G, Yuan Y, Cui G. Non-utilization Is Not the Best Way to Manage Lowland Meadows in Hulun Buir. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:704511. [PMID: 34335668 PMCID: PMC8322850 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.704511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Carex meyeriana lowland meadow is an important component of natural grasslands in Hulun Buir. However, in Hulun Buir, fewer studies have been conducted on C. meyeriana lowland meadows than on other grassland types. To determine the most appropriate utilization mode for C. meyeriana lowland meadows, an experiment was conducted in Zhalantun city, Hulun Buir. Unused, moderately grazed, heavily grazed and mowed meadow sites were selected as the research objects. The analysis of experimental data from 4 consecutive years showed that relative to the other utilization modes, mowing and moderate grazing significantly increased C. meyeriana biomass. Compared with non-utilization, the other three utilization modes resulted in a higher plant diversity, and the moderately grazed meadow had the highest plant community stability. Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) showed that among the meadow sites, the mowed meadow had the most stable plant community and soil physicochemical properties. Structural equation modeling (SEM) showed that grazing pressure was less than 0.25 hm2/sheep unit and that plant biomass in C. meyeriana lowland meadow increases with increasing grazing intensity, temperature and precipitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxu Ji
- Department of Grassland Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Li
- Department of Grassland Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Hang Yin
- Department of Grassland Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Guofu Liu
- Department of Grassland Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Yuying Yuan
- Department of Grassland Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Guowen Cui
- Department of Grassland Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
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9
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Huang X, Ma L, Luo G, Chen C, Li G, Yan Y, Zhou H, Yao B, Ma Z. Human appropriation of net primary production estimates in the Xinjiang grasslands. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242478. [PMID: 33264291 PMCID: PMC7710112 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The human appropriation of net primary production (HANPP) was developed to estimate the intensity of human activities in natural ecosystems, which is still unclear in the Xinjiang grasslands. Using the Biome-Biogeochemical Cycle (Biome-BGC) grazing model in combination with field data, we assessed the HANPP and explored its spatiotemporal patterns in the Xinjiang grasslands. Our results showed that (1) the HANPP increased from 38 g C/m2/yr in 1979 to 88 g C/m2/yr in 2012, with an average annual increase of 1.47%. The HANPP was 80 g C/m2/yr, which represented 51% of the potential net primary production (NPPpot), and the HANPP efficiency was 70% in this region. (2) The areas with high HANPP values mainly occurred in northern Xinjiang and northwest of the Tianshan Mountains, while areas with low HANPP values mainly occurred in southern Xinjiang and southwest of the Tianshan Mountains. (3) Interannual variations in HANPP and NPPpot were significantly positively correlated (P<0.01). Interannual variations in HANPP efficiency and grazing intensity were negatively correlated (P<0.01). These results can help identify the complex impacts of human activities on grassland ecosystems and provide basic data for grassland management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Restoration Ecology for Cold Regions Laboratory in Qinghai, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Ma
- Key Laboratory of Restoration Ecology for Cold Regions Laboratory in Qinghai, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Geping Luo
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinjiang, Urumqi, China
| | - Chunbo Chen
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinjiang, Urumqi, China
| | - Gangyong Li
- Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinjiang, Urumqi, China
| | - Yang Yan
- Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinjiang, Urumqi, China
| | - Huakun Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Restoration Ecology for Cold Regions Laboratory in Qinghai, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Buqing Yao
- Key Laboratory of Restoration Ecology for Cold Regions Laboratory in Qinghai, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Ma
- Key Laboratory of Restoration Ecology for Cold Regions Laboratory in Qinghai, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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10
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Lu Y, Yang Y, Sun B, Yuan J, Yu M, Stenseth NC, Bullock JM, Obersteiner M. Spatial variation in biodiversity loss across China under multiple environmental stressors. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:6/47/eabd0952. [PMID: 33219032 PMCID: PMC7679164 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abd0952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Biodiversity is essential for the maintenance of ecosystem health and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals. However, the drivers of biodiversity loss and the spatial variation in their impacts are poorly understood. Here, we explore the spatial-temporal distributions of threatened and declining ("biodiversity-loss") species and find that these species are affected by multiple stressors, with climate and human activities being the fundamental shaping forces. There has been large spatial variation in the distribution of threatened species over China's provinces, with the biodiversity of Gansu, Guangdong, Hainan, and Shaanxi provinces severely reduced. With increasing urbanization and industrialization, the expansion of construction and worsening pollution has led to habitat retreat or degradation, and high proportions of amphibians, mammals, and reptiles are threatened. Because distributions of species and stressors vary widely across different climate zones and geographical areas, specific policies and measures are needed for preventing biodiversity loss in different regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonglong Lu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal Wetland Ecosystems, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yifu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environmental & Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
| | - Bin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research, Beijing 10019, China
| | - Jingjing Yuan
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal Wetland Ecosystems, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Minzhao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Nils Chr Stenseth
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 03160 Oslo 3, Norway
| | - James M Bullock
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 8BB, UK
| | - Michael Obersteiner
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Ecosystem Services and Management Program, Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
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11
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Zheng M, Song J, Ru J, Zhou Z, Zhong M, Jiang L, Hui D, Wan S. Effects of Grazing, Wind Erosion, and Dust Deposition on Plant Community Composition and Structure in a Temperate Steppe. Ecosystems 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-020-00526-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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12
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Seasonality of feral horse grazing and invasion of Pinus halepensis in grasslands of the Austral Pampean Mountains (Argentina): management considerations. Biol Invasions 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-020-02300-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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13
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Zhang ZY, Li Z, Huang Q, Zhang XW, Ke L, Yan WY, Zhang LZ, Zeng ZJ. Deltamethrin Impairs Honeybees (Apis mellifera) Dancing Communication. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2020; 78:117-123. [PMID: 31642948 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-019-00680-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
As a commonly used pyrethroid insecticide, deltamethrin is very toxic to honeybees, which seriously threatens the managed and feral honeybee population. Because deltamethrin is a nerve agent, it may interfere with the nervous system of honeybees, such as dance behavior and memory-related characteristics. We found that the waggle dances were less precise in honeybees that consumed syrup containing deltamethrin (pesticide group) than those that consumed normal sucrose syrup (control group). Compared with the control group, honeybees of the pesticide group significantly increased number of circuits per 15 s, the divergence angle, return phases in waggle dances, as well as the crop content of the dance followers. Furthermore, six learning and memory-related genes were significantly interfered with the gene expression levels. Our data suggest that the sublethal dose of deltamethrin impaired the honeybees' learning and memory and resulted in cognitive disorder. The novel results assist in establishing guidelines for the risk assessment of pesticide to honeybee safety and prevention of nontarget biological agriculture pesticide poisoning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zu Yun Zhang
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
- Sericultural and Apicultural Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Mengzi, 661101, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Qiang Huang
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Xue Wen Zhang
- Sericultural and Apicultural Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Mengzi, 661101, China
| | - Li Ke
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Wei Yu Yan
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Li Zhen Zhang
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Zhi Jiang Zeng
- Honeybee Research Institute, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China.
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14
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Hao Y, He Z. Effects of grazing patterns on grassland biomass and soil environments in China: A meta-analysis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0215223. [PMID: 31009490 PMCID: PMC6476490 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Grazing has important influences on the structures and functions of grassland ecosystems, but the effects of grazing patterns on grassland biomass and soil environments in China remain unclear. OBJECTIVE We employed a meta-analysis to identify the response of biomass and soil environments to different grazing patterns in China. METHODS Peer-reviewed journal articles were searched using the Web of Science and China National Knowledge to compile a database. A total of 1011 sets of sample observations satisfied the sampling standards; these were derived from 140 study sites and were obtained from 86 published articles. We conducted random effects meta-analyses and calculated correlation coefficients with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS Grazing significantly decreased the total biomass, aboveground biomass (AGB), belowground biomass (BGB), soil organic matter, soil total nitrogen, soil total phosphorus and soil water content but increased the root-to-shoot ratio, soil available nitrogen, soil pH and bulk density. Generally, increasing grazing intensity and duration significantly increased the effects of grazing on the biomass and soil environment. Additionally, the smallest effects of grazing on the biomass and soil environments were observed under light grazing and cattle grazing alone. Moreover, non-growing season grazing significantly increased AGB, while annual grazing and growing-season grazing significantly reduced AGB. Furthermore, AGB was positively correlated with soil organic matter, soil available phosphorus and bulk density, while BGB was negatively correlated with pH. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the importance of grazing patterns in the biomass and soil environment response to grazing and suggest that cattle grazing alone and grazing during the non-growing season are beneficial for improving the quality of grassland in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunqing Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, China
- College of Earth Science, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, China
- College of Resources and Environment, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhengwei He
- State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, China
- College of Earth Science, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, China
- * E-mail:
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15
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Six years of grazing exclusion is the optimum duration in the alpine meadow-steppe of the north-eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17269. [PMID: 30467363 PMCID: PMC6250690 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35273-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Grazing exclusion is an effective management strategy for restoring degraded grasslands worldwide, but the effects of different exclusion durations on vegetation structure and soil properties remain unclear. Therefore, we evaluated vegetation characteristics and soil properties in an alpine meadow-steppe under grazing exclusion of different lengths (with grazing and with 3-year, 6-year, 9-year and 11-year grazing exclusions) on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). We also explored the relationships among above-ground biomass, biodiversity and soil properties to ascertain the mechanism underlying the impact of grazing exclusion on these factors. The results showed that the above- and below-ground biomass, total number of plant species, community density, Shannon–Wiener diversity index, evenness index, richness index, soil and vegetation carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) storage and ecosystem C and N storage exhibited a hump-shaped pattern in response to the length of grazing exclusion with a 6-year threshold. In addition, structural equation modelling showed that the bulk density, soil moisture content, micro sand content and clay and silt contents were the most important determining factors leading to an increase in above-ground biomass in the alpine meadow-steppe after grazing exclusion, whereas the soil total N, available N, available phosphate and soil organic C content were the most important determining factors leading to a decrease in biodiversity. Considering the stability of the plant community and the C and N pools, long-term grazing exclusion (>9 years) is unnecessary, and the optimum exclosure duration of the moderately degraded Elymus nutans - Kobresia humilis type alpine meadow-steppe is six years on the north-eastern QTP.
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16
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Liang M, Chen J, Gornish ES, Bai X, Li Z, Liang C. Grazing effect on grasslands escalated by abnormal precipitations in Inner Mongolia. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:8187-8196. [PMID: 30250694 PMCID: PMC6144992 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Grazing effects on arid and semi-arid grasslands can be constrained by aridity. Plant functional groups (PFGs) are the most basic component of community structure (CS) and biodiversity & ecosystem function (BEF). They have been suggested as identity-dependent in quantifying the response to grazing intensity and drought severity. Here, we examine how the relationships among PFGs, CS, BEF, and grazing intensity are driven by climatic drought. We conducted a manipulative experiment with three grazing intensities in 2012 (nondrought year) and 2013 (drought year). We classified 62 herbaceous plants into four functional groups based on their life forms. We used the relative species abundance of PFGs to quantify the effects of grazing and drought, and to explore the mechanisms for the pathway correlations using structural equation models (SEM) among PFGs, CS, and BEF directly or indirectly. Grazers consistently favored the perennial forbs (e.g., palatable or nutritious plants), decreasing the plants' relative abundance by 23%-38%. Drought decreased the relative abundance of ephemeral plants by 42 ± 13%; and increased perennial forbs by 20 ± 7% and graminoids by 80 ± 31%. SEM confirmed that annuals and biennials had negative correlations with the other three PFGs, with perennial bunchgrasses facilitated by perennial rhizome grass. Moreover, the contributions of grazing to community structure (i.e., canopy height) were 1.6-6.1 times those from drought, whereas drought effect on community species richness was 3.6 times of the grazing treatment. Lastly, the interactive effects of grazing and drought on BEF were greater than either alone; particularly, drought escalated grazing damage on primary production. Synthesis. The responses of PFGs, CS, and BEF to grazing and drought were identity-dependent, suggesting that grazing and drought regulation of plant functional groups might be a way to shape ecosystem structure and function in grasslands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maowei Liang
- School of Ecology and EnvironmentInner Mongolia UniversityHohhotChina
- Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial SciencesCenter for Global Change and Earth ObservationsMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichigan
| | - Jiquan Chen
- Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial SciencesCenter for Global Change and Earth ObservationsMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichigan
| | - Elise S. Gornish
- School of Natural Resources and the EnvironmentThe University of ArizonaTucsonArizona
| | - Xue Bai
- School of Forest ResourcesUniversity of MaineOronoMaine
| | - Zhiyong Li
- School of Ecology and EnvironmentInner Mongolia UniversityHohhotChina
| | - Cunzhu Liang
- School of Ecology and EnvironmentInner Mongolia UniversityHohhotChina
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