Due to the Tibetan Plateau’s unique high altitude and low temperature climate conditions,the region’s alpine steppe ecosystem is highly fragile and is suffering from severe degradation under the stress of increasing...Due to the Tibetan Plateau’s unique high altitude and low temperature climate conditions,the region’s alpine steppe ecosystem is highly fragile and is suffering from severe degradation under the stress of increasing population,overgrazing,and climate change.The soil stoichiometry,a crucial part of ecological stoichiometry,provides a fundamental approach for understanding ecosystem processes by examining the relative proportions and balance of the three elements.Understanding the impact of degradation on the soil stoichiometry is vital for conservation and management in the alpine steppe on the Tibetan Plateau.This study aims to examine the response of soil stoichiometry to degradation and explore the underlying biotic and abiotic mechanisms in the alpine steppe.We conducted a field survey in a sequent degraded alpine steppe with seven levels inNorthern Tibet.The plant species,aboveground biomass,and physical and chemical soil properties such as the moisture content,temperature,pH,compactness,total carbon(C),total nitrogen(N),and total phosphorus(P)were measured and recorded.The results showed that the contents of soil C/N,C/P,and N/P consistently decreased along intensifying degradation gradients.Using regression analysis and a structural equation model(SEM),we found that the C/N,C/P,and N/P ratios were positively affected by the soil compactness,soil moisture content and species richness of graminoids but negatively affected by soil pH and the proportion of aboveground biomass of forbs.The soil temperature had a negative effect on the C/N ratio but showed positive effect on the C/P and N/P ratios.The current study shows that degradation-induced changes in abiotic and biotic conditions such as soil warming and drying,which accelerated the soil organic carbon mineralization,as well as the increase in the proportion of forbs,whichwere difficult to decompose and input less organic carbon into soil,resulted in the decreases in soil C/N,C/P,and N/P contents to a great extent.Our results provide a sound basis for sustainable conservation and management of the alpine steppe.展开更多
The Tibetan Plateau is vital for animal husbandry in China,and relies heavily on its natural grasslands.However,grassland degradation,increasing livestock numbers,and uneven grazing practices are exacerbating the gras...The Tibetan Plateau is vital for animal husbandry in China,and relies heavily on its natural grasslands.However,grassland degradation,increasing livestock numbers,and uneven grazing practices are exacerbating the grass-livestock imbalance.Cultivated grasslands are a key strategy to address this issue.In this review,we evaluate the current status,challenges,and suggestions for developing and managing Tibetan Plateau cultivated grasslands.While discernible advancements have been made in the cultivated grasslands in this region,persistent challenges exist.These challenges stem from issues like low awareness and enthusiasm among farmers and herders,uneven cultivated grassland distribution,and limited scientific and technological contributions.Based on these challenges,we propose strengthening the promotion of artificial forage,implementing a rationalized grassland layout,and improving the scientific and technological contributions to forage species selection,sowing,management,and storage.In summary,cultivated grasslands in the Tibetan Plateau offer promising prospects but still face significant challenges.Overcoming these obstacles will require innovative approaches to unlock the full potential of cultivated grasslands in this unique ecological niche.展开更多
基金supported by the State Key Research Development Program of China (Grant 2016YFC0502002)Youth Innovation Research Team Project (LENOM2016Q0003)
文摘Due to the Tibetan Plateau’s unique high altitude and low temperature climate conditions,the region’s alpine steppe ecosystem is highly fragile and is suffering from severe degradation under the stress of increasing population,overgrazing,and climate change.The soil stoichiometry,a crucial part of ecological stoichiometry,provides a fundamental approach for understanding ecosystem processes by examining the relative proportions and balance of the three elements.Understanding the impact of degradation on the soil stoichiometry is vital for conservation and management in the alpine steppe on the Tibetan Plateau.This study aims to examine the response of soil stoichiometry to degradation and explore the underlying biotic and abiotic mechanisms in the alpine steppe.We conducted a field survey in a sequent degraded alpine steppe with seven levels inNorthern Tibet.The plant species,aboveground biomass,and physical and chemical soil properties such as the moisture content,temperature,pH,compactness,total carbon(C),total nitrogen(N),and total phosphorus(P)were measured and recorded.The results showed that the contents of soil C/N,C/P,and N/P consistently decreased along intensifying degradation gradients.Using regression analysis and a structural equation model(SEM),we found that the C/N,C/P,and N/P ratios were positively affected by the soil compactness,soil moisture content and species richness of graminoids but negatively affected by soil pH and the proportion of aboveground biomass of forbs.The soil temperature had a negative effect on the C/N ratio but showed positive effect on the C/P and N/P ratios.The current study shows that degradation-induced changes in abiotic and biotic conditions such as soil warming and drying,which accelerated the soil organic carbon mineralization,as well as the increase in the proportion of forbs,whichwere difficult to decompose and input less organic carbon into soil,resulted in the decreases in soil C/N,C/P,and N/P contents to a great extent.Our results provide a sound basis for sustainable conservation and management of the alpine steppe.
基金The Central Government Leading Project for Tibetan Science and Technology Development(XZ202202YD0028C)The Entrusted Project ofthe Development Research Center,National Forestry and Grassland Administration(JYC-2022-0053)The Natural Science Foundation of Tibet(XZ202201ZR0063G).
文摘The Tibetan Plateau is vital for animal husbandry in China,and relies heavily on its natural grasslands.However,grassland degradation,increasing livestock numbers,and uneven grazing practices are exacerbating the grass-livestock imbalance.Cultivated grasslands are a key strategy to address this issue.In this review,we evaluate the current status,challenges,and suggestions for developing and managing Tibetan Plateau cultivated grasslands.While discernible advancements have been made in the cultivated grasslands in this region,persistent challenges exist.These challenges stem from issues like low awareness and enthusiasm among farmers and herders,uneven cultivated grassland distribution,and limited scientific and technological contributions.Based on these challenges,we propose strengthening the promotion of artificial forage,implementing a rationalized grassland layout,and improving the scientific and technological contributions to forage species selection,sowing,management,and storage.In summary,cultivated grasslands in the Tibetan Plateau offer promising prospects but still face significant challenges.Overcoming these obstacles will require innovative approaches to unlock the full potential of cultivated grasslands in this unique ecological niche.
