Habitat fragmentation poses a significant threat to bird communities, especially those in open and semi-open ecosystems such as steppes. This study investigates how steppe birds adapt to and utilize fragmented habitat...Habitat fragmentation poses a significant threat to bird communities, especially those in open and semi-open ecosystems such as steppes. This study investigates how steppe birds adapt to and utilize fragmented habitats by combining niche modeling with ecological trait analysis. We conducted standardized point surveys to examine the habitat preferences of 32 bird species in Inner Mongolia, China, and quantified their habitat niche parameters using the Outlying Mean Index (OMI). Our results reveal distinct habitat preferences among species, with some thriving in intact environments while others are better adapted to fragmented areas. Grassland species showed high specialization along the fragmentation gradient, while others exhibited adaptability to varying levels of fragmentation. Using a Generalized Additive Model (GAM), we identified three key traits influencing habitat occupancy: hand-wing index, body mass, and range size. Specifically, species with medium hand-wing indices, moderate body mass, and larger range sizes were more likely to occupy heavily fragmented habitats. These findings provide empirical evidence on how habitat fragmentation affects bird species in steppe ecosystems. The study highlights the importance of functional traits in understanding avian responses to habitat fragmentation and offers a foundation for developing effective conservation strategies to preserve biodiversity in fragmented landscapes.展开更多
Tibetan alpine steppes are large and sensitive terrestrial carbon(C)reservoirs that are experiencing desertification due to global change and overgrazing,which can lead to stronger resource limitations for both above-...Tibetan alpine steppes are large and sensitive terrestrial carbon(C)reservoirs that are experiencing desertification due to global change and overgrazing,which can lead to stronger resource limitations for both above-and belowground communities.Soil nutrients,especially nitrogen(N)and phosphorus(P),are the crucial resources for plant growth and microbial metabolism.However,whether both plant and soil microbial communities in the degraded alpine steppes are limited by these soil nutrients remains unclear,which limits our understanding of the mechanisms of desertification and subsequent ecosystem restoration.Here,we evaluated potential nutrient limitations of the plant and soil microbial communities in the alpine steppe across five stages of desertification using stoichiometry-based approaches.Our results showed that soil microbial metabolism was mainly limited by C and P,and the plant N limitation and microbial C limitation were intensified while the microbial P limitation was relieved during desertification.Plant-soil-microbe interactions had significant impacts on the microbial C and P limitations,explaining 72 and 61%of the variation,respectively.Specifically,desertification ultimately affected microbial metabolic limitations by regulating soil pH,soil nutrients,and the plant N limitation.Moreover,the microbial C limitation further reduced microbial C use efficiency(CUE)with desertification,which is detrimental for organic C retention in the degraded soil.Overall,this study revealed that microbial metabolic limitations through plant-microbe interactions were the key drivers affecting soil microbial CUE,and it provided insights that can advance our knowledge of the microbial regulation of nutrient cycles and C sequestration.展开更多
Grasslands are among the world's most threatened ecosystems, and steppe birds face increasing risks from human activities. This study investigates how human impacts affect the distribution and community structure ...Grasslands are among the world's most threatened ecosystems, and steppe birds face increasing risks from human activities. This study investigates how human impacts affect the distribution and community structure of breeding steppe birds in Inner Mongolia, a biodiversity hotspot in Asia. We conducted standardized point-count surveys across a gradient from intact grasslands to urbanized areas, integrating species occurrence data, functional traits and the Human Footprint Index (HFI). Using Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) and Conditional Random Fields (CRFs), we assessed trait-environment interactions and shifts in species associations. Our results indicate that the HFI significantly affects bird communities. Habitat specialists, such as Mongolian Lark (Melanocorypha mongolica), showed negative responses, whereas generalists like Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) thrived in disturbed areas. Trait-based analysis showed that species with larger body mass and specialized diets were negatively associated with HFI, whereas those linked to human-modified habitats exhibiting strong positive associations. In areas with high human footprint, co-occurrence networks grew more polarized: specialists faced intensified competition, while species with positive HFI responses formed stronger positive associations. CRF models indicated that human activities restructure species interactions, favoring generalists and simplifying community dynamics. These findings highlight the dual role of human impact in supporting some species while threatening specialists, potentially driving biotic homogenization. Our study emphasizes the need for conservation strategies that protect vulnerable species and manage those that thrive in human-altered environments. By linking traits and interactions to human impacts, this study provides a framework for identifying at-risk species and guiding conservation in the Anthropocene.展开更多
Root system architecture has often been overlooked in plant research despite its critical role in plant adaptation to environmental conditions.This study focused on the root system architecture of the desert shrub Rea...Root system architecture has often been overlooked in plant research despite its critical role in plant adaptation to environmental conditions.This study focused on the root system architecture of the desert shrub Reaumuria soongorica in the Alxa steppe desert,Northwest China.Plant samples were collected during May-September 2019.Using excavation methods,in situ measurements,and root scanning techniques,we analyzed the root distribution,topology,and branching patterns of R.soongorica across an age sequence of 7-51 a.Additionally,we investigated the allometric relationships of root collar diameter with total coarse root length,biomass,and topological parameters.The results showed that the roots of R.soongorica were predominantly concentrated in shallow soil layers(10-50 cm),with lateral root branching and biomass allocation increasing with shrub age.The root topology exhibited a herringbone-like structure,with average topological and modified topological indices of 0.89 and 0.96,respectively,both of which adjusted with shrub age.The root system displayed a self-similar branching pattern,maintaining a constant cross-sectional area ratio of 1.13 before and after branching,deviating from the area-preserving rule.These adaptive traits allow R.soongorica to efficiently expand its nutrient acquisition zone,minimize internal competition,and optimize resource uptake from the upper soil layers.Furthermore,significant linear relationships were observed between log10-transformed root collar diameter and log10-transformed total coarse root length,biomass,and topological parameters.These findings advance non-destructive approaches for studying root characteristics and contribute to the development of root-related models.Besides,this study provides new insights into the adaptive strategies of R.soongorica under extreme drought conditions,offering valuable guidance for species selection and cultivation in desert restoration efforts.展开更多
Understanding plant community assembly is crucial for effective ecosystem conservation and restoration.The ecological filter framework describes community assembly as a process shaped by dispersal,environmental,and bi...Understanding plant community assembly is crucial for effective ecosystem conservation and restoration.The ecological filter framework describes community assembly as a process shaped by dispersal,environmental,and biotic filters.Additionally,functional traits and phylogenetic relationships are increasingly recognized as important factors influencing species coexistence and community structure.However,both the ecological filter framework and the roles of functional traits and phylogeny in community assembly remain underexplored in the Algerian steppes—particularly in the El Bayadh region,where ongoing vegetation degradation threatens ecosystem stability.This study applied Hierarchical Modeling of Species Communities(HMSC)as an integrative approach to assess how ecological filters influence plant community assembly in the El Bayadh steppe and to evaluate the roles of functional traits and phylogenetic relationships in this process.Environmental data—including soil properties,topography,precipitation,and land use types(grazing and exclosure)—were collected across 50 plots in April and October,2023,along with functional traits from 24 species.These traits include root length,leaf area,specific leaf area,clonality,life history,and seed mass.HMSC results revealed that soil properties and precipitation were the primary drivers of community structure,while sand height and elevation had a moderate influence.In contrast,competition and grazing played relatively minor roles.Species responses to environmental covariates were heterogeneous:soil fertility and texture had mixed effects,benefiting some species while limiting others;sand encroachment and precipitation variability generally had negative impacts,whereas grazing exclusion favored many species.A weak phylogenetic signal was recorded,indicating that community assembly was driven more by environmental filtering than by shared evolutionary history.Functional trait responses to environmental variation reflected plant strategies that balanced resource acquisition and conservation.Specifically,seed mass,leaf area,and root length increased under higher soil moisture and nutrient availability but declined in response to salinity,precipitation variability,and sand height.Clonality and perennial life history traits enhanced the survival of plant species under harsh conditions.Overall,this study provides a holistic understanding of community assembly processes in the El Bayadh steppe and offers valuable insights for ecosystem management and restoration in arid and degraded ecosystem environments.展开更多
Amid global climate change, rising levels of nitrogen(N) deposition have attracted considerable attention for their potential effects on the carbon cycle of terrestrial ecosystems. The desert steppes are a crucial yet...Amid global climate change, rising levels of nitrogen(N) deposition have attracted considerable attention for their potential effects on the carbon cycle of terrestrial ecosystems. The desert steppes are a crucial yet vulnerable ecosystem in arid areas, but their response to the combination of N addition and precipitation(a crucial factor in arid areas) remains underexplored. This study systematically explored the impact of N addition and precipitation on net ecosystem exchange(NEE) in a desert steppe in northern China. Specifically, we conducted a 2-a experiment from 2022 to 2023 with eight N addition treatments in the Urat desert steppe of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, to examine changes in NEE and explore its driving factors. The structural equation model(SEM) and multiple regression model were applied to determine the relationship of NEE with plant community characteristics and soil physical-chemical properties. Statistical results showed that N addition has no significant effect on NEE.However, it has a significant impact on the functional traits of desert steppe plant communities. SEM results further revealed that N addition has no significant effect on NEE in the desert steppe, whereas annual precipitation can influence NEE variations. The multiple regression model analysis indicated that plant functional traits play an important role in explaining the changes in NEE, accounting for 62.15% of the variation in NEE. In addition, plant height, as an important plant functional trait indicator, shows stronger reliability in predicting the changes in NEE and becomes a more promising predictor. These findings provide valuable insights into the complex ecological mechanisms governing plant community responses to precipitation and nutrient availability in the arid desert steppes, contributing to the improved monitoring and prediction of desert steppe ecosystem responses to global climate change.展开更多
Recent years have witnessed increasingly frequent extreme precipitation events,especially in desert steppes in the semi-arid and arid transition zone.Focusing on a desert steppe in western-central Inner Mongolia Auton...Recent years have witnessed increasingly frequent extreme precipitation events,especially in desert steppes in the semi-arid and arid transition zone.Focusing on a desert steppe in western-central Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,China,this study aimed to determine the principle time-varying pattern of extreme precipitation and its dominant climate forcings during the period 1988-2017.Based on the generalized additive models for location,scale,and shape(GAMLSS)modeling framework,we developed the best time-dependent models for the extreme precipitation series at nine stations,as well as the optimized non-stationary models with large-scale climate indices(including the North Atlantic Oscillation(NAO),Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation(AMO),Southern Oscillation(SO),Pacific Decadal Oscillation(PDO),Arctic Oscillation(AO),and North Pacific Oscillation(NPO))as covariates.The results indicated that extreme precipitation remained stationary at more than half of the stations(Hailisu,Wuyuan,Dengkou,Hanggin Rear Banner,Urad Front Banner,and Yikewusu),while linear and non-linear time-varying patterns were quantitatively identified at the other stations(Urad Middle Banner,Linhe,and Wuhai).These non-stationary behaviors of extreme precipitation were mainly reflected in the mean value of extreme precipitation.The optimized non-stationary models performed best,indicating the significant influences of large-scale climate indices on extreme precipitation.In particular,the NAO,NPO,SO,and AMO remained as covariates and significantly influenced the variations in the extreme precipitation regime.Our findings have important reference significance for gaining an in-depth understanding of the driving mechanism of the non-stationary behavior of extreme precipitation and enable advanced predictions of rainstorm risks.展开更多
One of the goals of grazing management in the desert steppe is to improve its ecosystem.However,relatively little is known about soil microbe communities in the desert steppe ecosystem under grazing management.In this...One of the goals of grazing management in the desert steppe is to improve its ecosystem.However,relatively little is known about soil microbe communities in the desert steppe ecosystem under grazing management.In this study,we investigated the diversity and aboveground biomass of Caragana korshinskii Kom.shrub communities in long-term fencing and grazing areas,combined with an analysis of soil physical-chemical properties and genomics,with the aim of understanding how fence management affects plant-soil-microbial inter-relationships in the desert steppe,China.The results showed that fence management(exclosure)increased plant diversity and aboveground biomass in C.korshinskii shrub area and effectively enhanced soil organic carbon(233.94%),available nitrogen(87.77%),and available phosphorus(53.67%)contents.As well,the Shannon indices of soil bacteria and fungi were greater in the fenced plot.Plant-soil changes profoundly affected the alpha-and beta-diversity of soil bacteria.Fence management also altered the soil microbial community structure,significantly increasing the relative abundances of Acidobacteriota(5.31%-8.99%),Chloroflexi(3.99%-5.58%),and Glomeromycota(1.37%-3.28%).The soil bacterial-fungal co-occurrence networks under fence management had higher complexity and connectivity.Based on functional predictions,fence management significantly increased the relative abundance of bacteria with nitrification and nitrate reduction functions and decreased the relative abundance of bacteria with nitrate and nitrite respiration functions.The relative abundances of ecologically functional fungi with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,ectomycorrhizal fungi,and saprotrophs also significantly increased under fence management.In addition,the differential functional groups of bacteria and fungi were closely related to plant-soil changes.The results of this study have significant positive implications for the ecological restoration and reconstruction of dry desert steppe and similar areas.展开更多
Nitrogen(N)deposition is a significant aspect of global change and poses a threat to terrestrial biodiversity.The impact of plant-soil microbe relationships to N deposition has recently attracted considerable attentio...Nitrogen(N)deposition is a significant aspect of global change and poses a threat to terrestrial biodiversity.The impact of plant-soil microbe relationships to N deposition has recently attracted considerable attention.Soil microorganisms have been proven to provide nutrients for specific plant growth,especially in nutrient-poor desert steppe ecosystems.However,the effects of N deposition on plant-soil microbial community interactions in such ecosystems remain poorly understood.To investigate these effects,we conducted a 6-year N-addition field experiment in a Stipa breviflora Griseb.desert steppe in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,China.Four N treatment levels(N0,N30,N50,and N100,corresponding to 0,30,50,and 100 kg N/(hm2•a),respectively)were applied to simulate atmospheric N deposition.The results showed that N deposition did not significantly affect the aboveground biomass of desert steppe plants.N deposition did not significantly reduce the alfa-diversity of plant and microbial communities in the desert steppe,and low and mediate N additions(N30 and N50)had a promoting effect on them.The variation pattern of plant Shannon index was consistent with that of the soil bacterial Chao1 index.N deposition significantly affected the beta-diversity of plants and soil bacteria,but did not significantly affect fungal communities.In conclusion,N deposition led to co-evolution between desert steppe plants and soil bacterial communities,while fungal communities exhibited strong stability and did not undergo significant changes.These findings help clarify atmospheric N deposition effects on the ecological health and function of the desert steppe.展开更多
Tumbleweeds participate in a common seasonal biological process in temperate grasslands,creating hanging grass fences during the grass-withering season that result in distinct ecological phenomena.In this study,we add...Tumbleweeds participate in a common seasonal biological process in temperate grasslands,creating hanging grass fences during the grass-withering season that result in distinct ecological phenomena.In this study,we addressed the urgent need to understand and restore the degraded desert steppe in Central Mongolia,particularly considering the observed vegetation edge effects around hanging grass fences.Using field surveys conducted in 2019 and 2021 in the severely degraded desert steppe of Central Mongolia,we assessed vegetation parameters and soil physical and chemical properties influenced by hanging grass fences and identified the key environmental factors affecting vegetation changes.The results indicate that the edge effects of hanging grass fences led to changes in species distributions,resulting in significant differences in species composition between the desert steppe's interior and edge areas.Vegetation parameters and soil physical and chemical properties exhibited nonlinear responses to the edge effects of hanging grass fences,with changes in vegetation coverage,aboveground biomass,and soil sand content peaking at 26.5,16.5,and 6.5 m on the leeward side of hanging grass fences,respectively.In the absence of sand dune formation,the accumulation of soil organic carbon and available potassium were identified as crucial factors driving species composition and increasing vegetation coverage.Changes in species composition and plant density were primarily influenced by soil sand content,electrical conductivity,and sand accumulation thickness.These findings suggest that hanging grass fences have the potential to alter vegetation habitats,promote vegetation growth,and control soil erosion in the degraded desert steppe of Central Mongolia.Therefore,in the degraded desert steppe,the restoration potential of hanging grass fences during the enclosure process should be fully considered.展开更多
目的:评价基于提高医疗质量和患者安全的团队策略和工具包(Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety,Team STEPPS)构建的"ICU-病房"肺部延伸护理模式的应用效果。方法:回顾性选取2016年1-12月...目的:评价基于提高医疗质量和患者安全的团队策略和工具包(Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety,Team STEPPS)构建的"ICU-病房"肺部延伸护理模式的应用效果。方法:回顾性选取2016年1-12月符合纳入标准的术后患者为对照组(98例),给予常规护理。纳入2017年1-12月符合纳入标准的术后患者为实验组(135例),运用基于Team STEPPS模型构建的"ICU-病房"肺部延伸护理模式。结果:实验组患者非计划重返ICU率、因肺部原因重返ICU率均低于对照组,患者对护理工作满意度评分高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:运用基于Team STEPPS模型构建的"ICU-病房"肺部延伸护理模式可降低患者重返ICU率,提高患者满意度。展开更多
[Objective] The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between blood protein polymorphism of red steppe and its performance.[Method]Two blood protein polymorphic loci were detected in transferring(Tf)and...[Objective] The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between blood protein polymorphism of red steppe and its performance.[Method]Two blood protein polymorphic loci were detected in transferring(Tf)and posttremsferr(Ptf)from thirteen red steppes and eighteen hybrid of limousin and red steppe by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.[Result]Tf and Ptf were controlled by three and two alleles respectively.[Conclusion]The variance analysis of blood protein polymorphic loci and its performance indicates that two protein loci have a positive or negative correlation with some traits of red steppe and the improved limousin cattle population.展开更多
Thornthwaite Memorial model and other statistic methods were used to calculate the climate-productivity of plants with the meteorological data from 1961 to 2007 at 9 stations distributed on Inner Mongolia desert stepp...Thornthwaite Memorial model and other statistic methods were used to calculate the climate-productivity of plants with the meteorological data from 1961 to 2007 at 9 stations distributed on Inner Mongolia desert steppe.The spatial and temporal variation characteristics of climate-productivity were analyzed by using the methods of the tendency rate of the climate trend,accumulative anomaly,and spatial difference and so on.The results showed that the climate-productivity kept linear increased trend over Inner Mongolia desert steppe in recent 47 years,but not significant.In spatial distribution,the climate-productivity reduced with the increased latitude.The climate-productivity in southwest part of Inner Mongolia desert steppe was growing while that in the southeast was reducing.The variation rate of the climate-productivity increased from the northwest part to the southeast part of Inner Mongolia desert steppe.In recent 47 years,the climate-productivity in southeast Jurh underwent the greatest decreasing extent,and the region was the sensitive area of the climate-productivity variation.展开更多
One of the study objectives of global change is land use/cover change (LUCC) by using multiscale remotely sensed data on global and regional scale. In this paper, field sample, digital camera, Landsat-ETM+ (ETM+, Enha...One of the study objectives of global change is land use/cover change (LUCC) by using multiscale remotely sensed data on global and regional scale. In this paper, field sample, digital camera, Landsat-ETM+ (ETM+, Enhanced Thematic Mapper) image and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/the advanced very high resolution radiometer (NOAA/AVHRR) image were integrated to detect, simulate and analyze the vegetation fractional coverage of typical steppe in northern China. The results show: (1) Vegetation fractional coverage measured by digital camera is more precise than results measured by other methods. It can be used to validate other measuring results. (2) Vegetation fractional coverage measured by 1 m 2 field sample change fluctuantly for different observers and for different sample areas. In this experiment, the coverage is generally high compared with the result measured by digital camera, and the average absolute error is 9.92%, but two groups measure results, correlation coefficient r(2) = 0.89. (3) Three kinds of methods using remotely sensed data were adopted to simulate the vegetation fractional coverage. Average absolute errors of the vegetation fractional coverage, measured by ETM+ and NOAA, are respectively 7.03% and 7.83% compared with the result measured by digital camera. When NOAA pixel was decomposed by ETM+ pixels after geometrical registry, the average absolute errors measured by this method is 5.68% compared with the digital camera result. Correction coefficients of three results with digital camera result r(2) are respectively 0.78, 0.61 and 0.76. (4) The result of statistic model established by NOAA-NDVI (NDVI, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and the vegetation fractional coverage measured by digital camera show lower precision (r(2) = 0.65) than the result of statistic model established by ETM+-NDVI and digital camera coverage then converted to NOAA image (r(2) = 0.80). Pixel decomposability method improves the precision of measuring the vegetation fractional coverage on a large scale. This is a significant practice on scaling by using remotely sensed data. Integrated application of multi-scale remotely sensed data in earth observation will be an important approach to promoting measuring precision of ecological parameters.展开更多
[Objective] The aim was to explore the management mode on optimal re-sources al ocation of family ranch in meadow steppe. [Method] Three double repre-sentative family ranches were selected in meadow steppe of Hulunber...[Objective] The aim was to explore the management mode on optimal re-sources al ocation of family ranch in meadow steppe. [Method] Three double repre-sentative family ranches were selected in meadow steppe of Hulunber Old Barag Banner, and the study was carried out with the baseline survey. Three family ranches were selected as the demonstrative households for the corporation study, while other three family ranches with the similar conditions were looked as the non-demonstrative households for the comparison. Demonstrative households of the fami-ly ranches reduced the stocking rate, optimized the flock structure and took a winter feeding and other means to explore the different management models on plant com-munity characteristic of family ranch. [Result] The seasonal dynamic of community characteristic in family ranches showed the single-peaks curves. The seasonal dy-namics of community coverage, height and biomass in the demonstrative households showed higher compared with the non-demonstrative households, and community density in the experiment households was lower than that of the control experiment households. Community coverage, height and biomass of degraded grassland in family ranch have a great improve after optimization of management. Community coverage, height , density and biomass were increasing in fencing plot, but decreas-ing in free grazing area. Enclosure improved grassland coverage, vegetation height, density and forage yield. Leymus chinensis played an important role in plant com-munity. The important values of Leymus chinensis, Stipa baicalensis, Cleistogenes squarrosa, and Carex duriuscula were high. Leymus chinensis important value in the demonstrative households of optimal management was higher than that in the non-demonstrative households, and Carex duriuscula important value of the non-demon-strative households was significantly higher than that of the demonstrative house-holds. The indexes of Margalef richnes,Shannon-Wiener diversity, Simpson diversity and Pielou uniformity showed that the demonstrative households were higher than the non-demonstrative households. [Conclusion] The research provides theoretical ref-erences for sustainable development of pastures dominated by family ranch.展开更多
Soil respiration is a key component of the global terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycle. The static opaque chamber method was used to measure the CO2 effiuxes from soil of a semiarid Aneurolepidium chinense steppe and a ...Soil respiration is a key component of the global terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycle. The static opaque chamber method was used to measure the CO2 effiuxes from soil of a semiarid Aneurolepidium chinense steppe and a Stipa krylovii steppe in the Xilin River Basin of Inner Mongolia, China from March 2002 to December 2004. The results indicated that the soil respiration rates of the semiarid Aneurolepidium chinense steppe and the Stipa krylovii steppe were both relatively high from mid-May to mid-September of each year and remained low during the rest of the year. The minimum value of soil respiration occurred in December or January and negative effiuxes of CO2 appeared for several days during the non-growing season of individual years at the two sampling sites. A high annual variation was found in the two steppes with the coefficients of variance （CV） being over 94%, even high to 131%. The annual sums of soil CO2 effiux of the Aneurolepidium chinense steppe varied between 356.4 gC m^-2 yr^-1 and 408.8 gC m^-2 yr^-1, while those of the Stipa krylovii steppe in the three years were in the range of 110.6 gC m^-2 yr^-1 to 148.6 g Cm^-2 yr^-1. The mean respiration rates of the Aneurolepidium chinense steppe were significantly higher than those of the Stipa krylovii steppe in different statistical periods with the exception of the non-growing season. About 59.9% and 80.6% of the soil respiration variations in both steppes for the whole sampling period were caused by the changes of temperature and soil water content. In the Aneurolepidium chinense steppe, the soil respiration rate has significant or extremely significant positive correlation （r = 0.58 - 0.85, p 〈 0.05 or p 〈 0.01） with air temperature and ground temperature of the topsoil except in 2002; the unique contributions of temperature change to the soil respiration variation of the three years were 53.3%, 81.0% and 58.6%, respectively. But, for the Stipa krylovii steppe in the same time interval, the soil water content （especially that of the 10-20 cm layer） has a greater effect on the change of soil respiration, and the unique contributions of the change of the 10-20 cm soil water content to the variations of soil respiration in 2002 and 2003 were 60.0% and 54.3%, respectively. In 2004, in spite of the higher contribution of temperature than soil water content, the contribution of ground temperature at a depth of 10 cm was only 46.2%, much weaker than that of any single year in the Aneurolepidium chinense steppe.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.32201304)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.2412022QD026).
文摘Habitat fragmentation poses a significant threat to bird communities, especially those in open and semi-open ecosystems such as steppes. This study investigates how steppe birds adapt to and utilize fragmented habitats by combining niche modeling with ecological trait analysis. We conducted standardized point surveys to examine the habitat preferences of 32 bird species in Inner Mongolia, China, and quantified their habitat niche parameters using the Outlying Mean Index (OMI). Our results reveal distinct habitat preferences among species, with some thriving in intact environments while others are better adapted to fragmented areas. Grassland species showed high specialization along the fragmentation gradient, while others exhibited adaptability to varying levels of fragmentation. Using a Generalized Additive Model (GAM), we identified three key traits influencing habitat occupancy: hand-wing index, body mass, and range size. Specifically, species with medium hand-wing indices, moderate body mass, and larger range sizes were more likely to occupy heavily fragmented habitats. These findings provide empirical evidence on how habitat fragmentation affects bird species in steppe ecosystems. The study highlights the importance of functional traits in understanding avian responses to habitat fragmentation and offers a foundation for developing effective conservation strategies to preserve biodiversity in fragmented landscapes.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2023YFF1304304)。
文摘Tibetan alpine steppes are large and sensitive terrestrial carbon(C)reservoirs that are experiencing desertification due to global change and overgrazing,which can lead to stronger resource limitations for both above-and belowground communities.Soil nutrients,especially nitrogen(N)and phosphorus(P),are the crucial resources for plant growth and microbial metabolism.However,whether both plant and soil microbial communities in the degraded alpine steppes are limited by these soil nutrients remains unclear,which limits our understanding of the mechanisms of desertification and subsequent ecosystem restoration.Here,we evaluated potential nutrient limitations of the plant and soil microbial communities in the alpine steppe across five stages of desertification using stoichiometry-based approaches.Our results showed that soil microbial metabolism was mainly limited by C and P,and the plant N limitation and microbial C limitation were intensified while the microbial P limitation was relieved during desertification.Plant-soil-microbe interactions had significant impacts on the microbial C and P limitations,explaining 72 and 61%of the variation,respectively.Specifically,desertification ultimately affected microbial metabolic limitations by regulating soil pH,soil nutrients,and the plant N limitation.Moreover,the microbial C limitation further reduced microbial C use efficiency(CUE)with desertification,which is detrimental for organic C retention in the degraded soil.Overall,this study revealed that microbial metabolic limitations through plant-microbe interactions were the key drivers affecting soil microbial CUE,and it provided insights that can advance our knowledge of the microbial regulation of nutrient cycles and C sequestration.
基金funded by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2024M760408)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.32201304)+1 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.2412024QD0212412022QD026).
文摘Grasslands are among the world's most threatened ecosystems, and steppe birds face increasing risks from human activities. This study investigates how human impacts affect the distribution and community structure of breeding steppe birds in Inner Mongolia, a biodiversity hotspot in Asia. We conducted standardized point-count surveys across a gradient from intact grasslands to urbanized areas, integrating species occurrence data, functional traits and the Human Footprint Index (HFI). Using Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) and Conditional Random Fields (CRFs), we assessed trait-environment interactions and shifts in species associations. Our results indicate that the HFI significantly affects bird communities. Habitat specialists, such as Mongolian Lark (Melanocorypha mongolica), showed negative responses, whereas generalists like Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) thrived in disturbed areas. Trait-based analysis showed that species with larger body mass and specialized diets were negatively associated with HFI, whereas those linked to human-modified habitats exhibiting strong positive associations. In areas with high human footprint, co-occurrence networks grew more polarized: specialists faced intensified competition, while species with positive HFI responses formed stronger positive associations. CRF models indicated that human activities restructure species interactions, favoring generalists and simplifying community dynamics. These findings highlight the dual role of human impact in supporting some species while threatening specialists, potentially driving biotic homogenization. Our study emphasizes the need for conservation strategies that protect vulnerable species and manage those that thrive in human-altered environments. By linking traits and interactions to human impacts, this study provides a framework for identifying at-risk species and guiding conservation in the Anthropocene.
基金funded by the Guangxi Science and Technology Plan Project(Guike AD22080050)the Basic Research Ability Improvement Project of Young and Middle-aged Teachers of Universities in Guangxi(2022KY0386)+1 种基金the Opening Foundation of Key Laboratory of Environment Change and Resources Use in Beibu Gulf,Ministry of Education,Nanning Normal University(NNNU-KLOP-K2202)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42471055).
文摘Root system architecture has often been overlooked in plant research despite its critical role in plant adaptation to environmental conditions.This study focused on the root system architecture of the desert shrub Reaumuria soongorica in the Alxa steppe desert,Northwest China.Plant samples were collected during May-September 2019.Using excavation methods,in situ measurements,and root scanning techniques,we analyzed the root distribution,topology,and branching patterns of R.soongorica across an age sequence of 7-51 a.Additionally,we investigated the allometric relationships of root collar diameter with total coarse root length,biomass,and topological parameters.The results showed that the roots of R.soongorica were predominantly concentrated in shallow soil layers(10-50 cm),with lateral root branching and biomass allocation increasing with shrub age.The root topology exhibited a herringbone-like structure,with average topological and modified topological indices of 0.89 and 0.96,respectively,both of which adjusted with shrub age.The root system displayed a self-similar branching pattern,maintaining a constant cross-sectional area ratio of 1.13 before and after branching,deviating from the area-preserving rule.These adaptive traits allow R.soongorica to efficiently expand its nutrient acquisition zone,minimize internal competition,and optimize resource uptake from the upper soil layers.Furthermore,significant linear relationships were observed between log10-transformed root collar diameter and log10-transformed total coarse root length,biomass,and topological parameters.These findings advance non-destructive approaches for studying root characteristics and contribute to the development of root-related models.Besides,this study provides new insights into the adaptive strategies of R.soongorica under extreme drought conditions,offering valuable guidance for species selection and cultivation in desert restoration efforts.
基金supported by the Foundation of the University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue(FUQAT)Quebec Research Fund(FRQ)(2021-SE7-282961)。
文摘Understanding plant community assembly is crucial for effective ecosystem conservation and restoration.The ecological filter framework describes community assembly as a process shaped by dispersal,environmental,and biotic filters.Additionally,functional traits and phylogenetic relationships are increasingly recognized as important factors influencing species coexistence and community structure.However,both the ecological filter framework and the roles of functional traits and phylogeny in community assembly remain underexplored in the Algerian steppes—particularly in the El Bayadh region,where ongoing vegetation degradation threatens ecosystem stability.This study applied Hierarchical Modeling of Species Communities(HMSC)as an integrative approach to assess how ecological filters influence plant community assembly in the El Bayadh steppe and to evaluate the roles of functional traits and phylogenetic relationships in this process.Environmental data—including soil properties,topography,precipitation,and land use types(grazing and exclosure)—were collected across 50 plots in April and October,2023,along with functional traits from 24 species.These traits include root length,leaf area,specific leaf area,clonality,life history,and seed mass.HMSC results revealed that soil properties and precipitation were the primary drivers of community structure,while sand height and elevation had a moderate influence.In contrast,competition and grazing played relatively minor roles.Species responses to environmental covariates were heterogeneous:soil fertility and texture had mixed effects,benefiting some species while limiting others;sand encroachment and precipitation variability generally had negative impacts,whereas grazing exclusion favored many species.A weak phylogenetic signal was recorded,indicating that community assembly was driven more by environmental filtering than by shared evolutionary history.Functional trait responses to environmental variation reflected plant strategies that balanced resource acquisition and conservation.Specifically,seed mass,leaf area,and root length increased under higher soil moisture and nutrient availability but declined in response to salinity,precipitation variability,and sand height.Clonality and perennial life history traits enhanced the survival of plant species under harsh conditions.Overall,this study provides a holistic understanding of community assembly processes in the El Bayadh steppe and offers valuable insights for ecosystem management and restoration in arid and degraded ecosystem environments.
基金supported by the Major Science and Technology Project of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (2024JBGS0011-02)Foundation for Innovative Research Groups in Basic Research of Gansu Province (25JRRA490)+1 种基金Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2022437)National Natural Science Foundation of China (42207538)。
文摘Amid global climate change, rising levels of nitrogen(N) deposition have attracted considerable attention for their potential effects on the carbon cycle of terrestrial ecosystems. The desert steppes are a crucial yet vulnerable ecosystem in arid areas, but their response to the combination of N addition and precipitation(a crucial factor in arid areas) remains underexplored. This study systematically explored the impact of N addition and precipitation on net ecosystem exchange(NEE) in a desert steppe in northern China. Specifically, we conducted a 2-a experiment from 2022 to 2023 with eight N addition treatments in the Urat desert steppe of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, to examine changes in NEE and explore its driving factors. The structural equation model(SEM) and multiple regression model were applied to determine the relationship of NEE with plant community characteristics and soil physical-chemical properties. Statistical results showed that N addition has no significant effect on NEE.However, it has a significant impact on the functional traits of desert steppe plant communities. SEM results further revealed that N addition has no significant effect on NEE in the desert steppe, whereas annual precipitation can influence NEE variations. The multiple regression model analysis indicated that plant functional traits play an important role in explaining the changes in NEE, accounting for 62.15% of the variation in NEE. In addition, plant height, as an important plant functional trait indicator, shows stronger reliability in predicting the changes in NEE and becomes a more promising predictor. These findings provide valuable insights into the complex ecological mechanisms governing plant community responses to precipitation and nutrient availability in the arid desert steppes, contributing to the improved monitoring and prediction of desert steppe ecosystem responses to global climate change.
基金funded by the Yinshanbeilu Grassland Eco-hydrology National Observation and Research Station,China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research(YSS202105)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52269005)+3 种基金the Inner Mongolia Science and Technology Plan Project(2022YFSH0105)the Central Guidance for Local Science and Technology Development Fund Projects(2024ZY0002)the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region University Youth Science and Technology Talent Project(NJYT 22037)the Inner Mongolia Agricultural University Young Teachers'Scientific Research Ability Improvement Project(BR220104).
文摘Recent years have witnessed increasingly frequent extreme precipitation events,especially in desert steppes in the semi-arid and arid transition zone.Focusing on a desert steppe in western-central Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,China,this study aimed to determine the principle time-varying pattern of extreme precipitation and its dominant climate forcings during the period 1988-2017.Based on the generalized additive models for location,scale,and shape(GAMLSS)modeling framework,we developed the best time-dependent models for the extreme precipitation series at nine stations,as well as the optimized non-stationary models with large-scale climate indices(including the North Atlantic Oscillation(NAO),Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation(AMO),Southern Oscillation(SO),Pacific Decadal Oscillation(PDO),Arctic Oscillation(AO),and North Pacific Oscillation(NPO))as covariates.The results indicated that extreme precipitation remained stationary at more than half of the stations(Hailisu,Wuyuan,Dengkou,Hanggin Rear Banner,Urad Front Banner,and Yikewusu),while linear and non-linear time-varying patterns were quantitatively identified at the other stations(Urad Middle Banner,Linhe,and Wuhai).These non-stationary behaviors of extreme precipitation were mainly reflected in the mean value of extreme precipitation.The optimized non-stationary models performed best,indicating the significant influences of large-scale climate indices on extreme precipitation.In particular,the NAO,NPO,SO,and AMO remained as covariates and significantly influenced the variations in the extreme precipitation regime.Our findings have important reference significance for gaining an in-depth understanding of the driving mechanism of the non-stationary behavior of extreme precipitation and enable advanced predictions of rainstorm risks.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32061123006,32360426).
文摘One of the goals of grazing management in the desert steppe is to improve its ecosystem.However,relatively little is known about soil microbe communities in the desert steppe ecosystem under grazing management.In this study,we investigated the diversity and aboveground biomass of Caragana korshinskii Kom.shrub communities in long-term fencing and grazing areas,combined with an analysis of soil physical-chemical properties and genomics,with the aim of understanding how fence management affects plant-soil-microbial inter-relationships in the desert steppe,China.The results showed that fence management(exclosure)increased plant diversity and aboveground biomass in C.korshinskii shrub area and effectively enhanced soil organic carbon(233.94%),available nitrogen(87.77%),and available phosphorus(53.67%)contents.As well,the Shannon indices of soil bacteria and fungi were greater in the fenced plot.Plant-soil changes profoundly affected the alpha-and beta-diversity of soil bacteria.Fence management also altered the soil microbial community structure,significantly increasing the relative abundances of Acidobacteriota(5.31%-8.99%),Chloroflexi(3.99%-5.58%),and Glomeromycota(1.37%-3.28%).The soil bacterial-fungal co-occurrence networks under fence management had higher complexity and connectivity.Based on functional predictions,fence management significantly increased the relative abundance of bacteria with nitrification and nitrate reduction functions and decreased the relative abundance of bacteria with nitrate and nitrite respiration functions.The relative abundances of ecologically functional fungi with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,ectomycorrhizal fungi,and saprotrophs also significantly increased under fence management.In addition,the differential functional groups of bacteria and fungi were closely related to plant-soil changes.The results of this study have significant positive implications for the ecological restoration and reconstruction of dry desert steppe and similar areas.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31860136,31560156)the Basic Scientific Research Service Fee Project of Colleges and Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regionthe Graduate Scientific Research Innovation Project of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region(B20210158Z).
文摘Nitrogen(N)deposition is a significant aspect of global change and poses a threat to terrestrial biodiversity.The impact of plant-soil microbe relationships to N deposition has recently attracted considerable attention.Soil microorganisms have been proven to provide nutrients for specific plant growth,especially in nutrient-poor desert steppe ecosystems.However,the effects of N deposition on plant-soil microbial community interactions in such ecosystems remain poorly understood.To investigate these effects,we conducted a 6-year N-addition field experiment in a Stipa breviflora Griseb.desert steppe in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,China.Four N treatment levels(N0,N30,N50,and N100,corresponding to 0,30,50,and 100 kg N/(hm2•a),respectively)were applied to simulate atmospheric N deposition.The results showed that N deposition did not significantly affect the aboveground biomass of desert steppe plants.N deposition did not significantly reduce the alfa-diversity of plant and microbial communities in the desert steppe,and low and mediate N additions(N30 and N50)had a promoting effect on them.The variation pattern of plant Shannon index was consistent with that of the soil bacterial Chao1 index.N deposition significantly affected the beta-diversity of plants and soil bacteria,but did not significantly affect fungal communities.In conclusion,N deposition led to co-evolution between desert steppe plants and soil bacterial communities,while fungal communities exhibited strong stability and did not undergo significant changes.These findings help clarify atmospheric N deposition effects on the ecological health and function of the desert steppe.
基金supported by the Third Xinjiang Scientific Expedition and Research Program(2021xjkk0305)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDA2003020201)the Key Intergovernmental Projects for International Scientific and Technological Innovation Cooperation of the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2017YFE0109200).
文摘Tumbleweeds participate in a common seasonal biological process in temperate grasslands,creating hanging grass fences during the grass-withering season that result in distinct ecological phenomena.In this study,we addressed the urgent need to understand and restore the degraded desert steppe in Central Mongolia,particularly considering the observed vegetation edge effects around hanging grass fences.Using field surveys conducted in 2019 and 2021 in the severely degraded desert steppe of Central Mongolia,we assessed vegetation parameters and soil physical and chemical properties influenced by hanging grass fences and identified the key environmental factors affecting vegetation changes.The results indicate that the edge effects of hanging grass fences led to changes in species distributions,resulting in significant differences in species composition between the desert steppe's interior and edge areas.Vegetation parameters and soil physical and chemical properties exhibited nonlinear responses to the edge effects of hanging grass fences,with changes in vegetation coverage,aboveground biomass,and soil sand content peaking at 26.5,16.5,and 6.5 m on the leeward side of hanging grass fences,respectively.In the absence of sand dune formation,the accumulation of soil organic carbon and available potassium were identified as crucial factors driving species composition and increasing vegetation coverage.Changes in species composition and plant density were primarily influenced by soil sand content,electrical conductivity,and sand accumulation thickness.These findings suggest that hanging grass fences have the potential to alter vegetation habitats,promote vegetation growth,and control soil erosion in the degraded desert steppe of Central Mongolia.Therefore,in the degraded desert steppe,the restoration potential of hanging grass fences during the enclosure process should be fully considered.
文摘目的:评价基于提高医疗质量和患者安全的团队策略和工具包(Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety,Team STEPPS)构建的"ICU-病房"肺部延伸护理模式的应用效果。方法:回顾性选取2016年1-12月符合纳入标准的术后患者为对照组(98例),给予常规护理。纳入2017年1-12月符合纳入标准的术后患者为实验组(135例),运用基于Team STEPPS模型构建的"ICU-病房"肺部延伸护理模式。结果:实验组患者非计划重返ICU率、因肺部原因重返ICU率均低于对照组,患者对护理工作满意度评分高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:运用基于Team STEPPS模型构建的"ICU-病房"肺部延伸护理模式可降低患者重返ICU率,提高患者满意度。
基金Supported by National Key Technology R & D Program(2007BAD55B03)~~
文摘[Objective] The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between blood protein polymorphism of red steppe and its performance.[Method]Two blood protein polymorphic loci were detected in transferring(Tf)and posttremsferr(Ptf)from thirteen red steppes and eighteen hybrid of limousin and red steppe by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.[Result]Tf and Ptf were controlled by three and two alleles respectively.[Conclusion]The variance analysis of blood protein polymorphic loci and its performance indicates that two protein loci have a positive or negative correlation with some traits of red steppe and the improved limousin cattle population.
基金Supported by The Inner Mongolia Natural Science Foundation (2009ms0603)Inner Mongolia Scientific Innovation Program (nmqxkjcx200706)Special Fund for Scientific Research in Central Public Welfare Institution Fundamental(Grassland Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science)
文摘Thornthwaite Memorial model and other statistic methods were used to calculate the climate-productivity of plants with the meteorological data from 1961 to 2007 at 9 stations distributed on Inner Mongolia desert steppe.The spatial and temporal variation characteristics of climate-productivity were analyzed by using the methods of the tendency rate of the climate trend,accumulative anomaly,and spatial difference and so on.The results showed that the climate-productivity kept linear increased trend over Inner Mongolia desert steppe in recent 47 years,but not significant.In spatial distribution,the climate-productivity reduced with the increased latitude.The climate-productivity in southwest part of Inner Mongolia desert steppe was growing while that in the southeast was reducing.The variation rate of the climate-productivity increased from the northwest part to the southeast part of Inner Mongolia desert steppe.In recent 47 years,the climate-productivity in southeast Jurh underwent the greatest decreasing extent,and the region was the sensitive area of the climate-productivity variation.
文摘One of the study objectives of global change is land use/cover change (LUCC) by using multiscale remotely sensed data on global and regional scale. In this paper, field sample, digital camera, Landsat-ETM+ (ETM+, Enhanced Thematic Mapper) image and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/the advanced very high resolution radiometer (NOAA/AVHRR) image were integrated to detect, simulate and analyze the vegetation fractional coverage of typical steppe in northern China. The results show: (1) Vegetation fractional coverage measured by digital camera is more precise than results measured by other methods. It can be used to validate other measuring results. (2) Vegetation fractional coverage measured by 1 m 2 field sample change fluctuantly for different observers and for different sample areas. In this experiment, the coverage is generally high compared with the result measured by digital camera, and the average absolute error is 9.92%, but two groups measure results, correlation coefficient r(2) = 0.89. (3) Three kinds of methods using remotely sensed data were adopted to simulate the vegetation fractional coverage. Average absolute errors of the vegetation fractional coverage, measured by ETM+ and NOAA, are respectively 7.03% and 7.83% compared with the result measured by digital camera. When NOAA pixel was decomposed by ETM+ pixels after geometrical registry, the average absolute errors measured by this method is 5.68% compared with the digital camera result. Correction coefficients of three results with digital camera result r(2) are respectively 0.78, 0.61 and 0.76. (4) The result of statistic model established by NOAA-NDVI (NDVI, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and the vegetation fractional coverage measured by digital camera show lower precision (r(2) = 0.65) than the result of statistic model established by ETM+-NDVI and digital camera coverage then converted to NOAA image (r(2) = 0.80). Pixel decomposability method improves the precision of measuring the vegetation fractional coverage on a large scale. This is a significant practice on scaling by using remotely sensed data. Integrated application of multi-scale remotely sensed data in earth observation will be an important approach to promoting measuring precision of ecological parameters.
基金Supported by Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest(201003019,201003061,201303060)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41201199)+1 种基金International Science and Technology Cooperation Project(2012DFA31290)Modern Agricultural Technology System of Special Funding~~
文摘[Objective] The aim was to explore the management mode on optimal re-sources al ocation of family ranch in meadow steppe. [Method] Three double repre-sentative family ranches were selected in meadow steppe of Hulunber Old Barag Banner, and the study was carried out with the baseline survey. Three family ranches were selected as the demonstrative households for the corporation study, while other three family ranches with the similar conditions were looked as the non-demonstrative households for the comparison. Demonstrative households of the fami-ly ranches reduced the stocking rate, optimized the flock structure and took a winter feeding and other means to explore the different management models on plant com-munity characteristic of family ranch. [Result] The seasonal dynamic of community characteristic in family ranches showed the single-peaks curves. The seasonal dy-namics of community coverage, height and biomass in the demonstrative households showed higher compared with the non-demonstrative households, and community density in the experiment households was lower than that of the control experiment households. Community coverage, height and biomass of degraded grassland in family ranch have a great improve after optimization of management. Community coverage, height , density and biomass were increasing in fencing plot, but decreas-ing in free grazing area. Enclosure improved grassland coverage, vegetation height, density and forage yield. Leymus chinensis played an important role in plant com-munity. The important values of Leymus chinensis, Stipa baicalensis, Cleistogenes squarrosa, and Carex duriuscula were high. Leymus chinensis important value in the demonstrative households of optimal management was higher than that in the non-demonstrative households, and Carex duriuscula important value of the non-demon-strative households was significantly higher than that of the demonstrative house-holds. The indexes of Margalef richnes,Shannon-Wiener diversity, Simpson diversity and Pielou uniformity showed that the demonstrative households were higher than the non-demonstrative households. [Conclusion] The research provides theoretical ref-erences for sustainable development of pastures dominated by family ranch.
基金This work was jointly supported by the Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences （Grant No. KZCX1-SW-01-04） the National Natural Science Foundation of China （Grant No. 40501072） the project on the Carbon Cycle and Driving Mechanisms in the Chinese Terrestrial Ecosystem （Grant No. 2002CB412503）.
文摘Soil respiration is a key component of the global terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycle. The static opaque chamber method was used to measure the CO2 effiuxes from soil of a semiarid Aneurolepidium chinense steppe and a Stipa krylovii steppe in the Xilin River Basin of Inner Mongolia, China from March 2002 to December 2004. The results indicated that the soil respiration rates of the semiarid Aneurolepidium chinense steppe and the Stipa krylovii steppe were both relatively high from mid-May to mid-September of each year and remained low during the rest of the year. The minimum value of soil respiration occurred in December or January and negative effiuxes of CO2 appeared for several days during the non-growing season of individual years at the two sampling sites. A high annual variation was found in the two steppes with the coefficients of variance （CV） being over 94%, even high to 131%. The annual sums of soil CO2 effiux of the Aneurolepidium chinense steppe varied between 356.4 gC m^-2 yr^-1 and 408.8 gC m^-2 yr^-1, while those of the Stipa krylovii steppe in the three years were in the range of 110.6 gC m^-2 yr^-1 to 148.6 g Cm^-2 yr^-1. The mean respiration rates of the Aneurolepidium chinense steppe were significantly higher than those of the Stipa krylovii steppe in different statistical periods with the exception of the non-growing season. About 59.9% and 80.6% of the soil respiration variations in both steppes for the whole sampling period were caused by the changes of temperature and soil water content. In the Aneurolepidium chinense steppe, the soil respiration rate has significant or extremely significant positive correlation （r = 0.58 - 0.85, p 〈 0.05 or p 〈 0.01） with air temperature and ground temperature of the topsoil except in 2002; the unique contributions of temperature change to the soil respiration variation of the three years were 53.3%, 81.0% and 58.6%, respectively. But, for the Stipa krylovii steppe in the same time interval, the soil water content （especially that of the 10-20 cm layer） has a greater effect on the change of soil respiration, and the unique contributions of the change of the 10-20 cm soil water content to the variations of soil respiration in 2002 and 2003 were 60.0% and 54.3%, respectively. In 2004, in spite of the higher contribution of temperature than soil water content, the contribution of ground temperature at a depth of 10 cm was only 46.2%, much weaker than that of any single year in the Aneurolepidium chinense steppe.
