The relationship between the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and grazing in a meadow steppe

Aims

To study the relationship between changes in soil properties and plant community characters produced by grazing in a meadow steppe grassland and the composition and diversity of spore-producing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF).

Methods

A field survey was carried out in a meadow steppe area with a gradient of grazing pressures (a site with four grazing intensities and a reserve closed to grazing). The AMF community composition (characterized by spore abundance) and diversity, the vegetation characters and soil properties were measured, and root colonization by AMF was assessed.

Results

AMF diversity (richness and evenness) was higher under light to moderate grazing pressure and declined under intense grazing pressures. Results of multiple regressions indicated that soil electrical conductivity was highly associated with AMF diversity. The variation in AMF diversity was partially associated to the density of tillers of the dominant grass (Leymus chinensis), the above and below-ground biomass and the richness of the plant community.

Conclusions

We propose that the relationship between plants and AMF is altered by environmental stress (salinity) which is in turn influenced by animal grazing. Direct and indirect interactions between vegetation, soil properties, and AMF community need to be elucidated to improve our ability to manage these communities.     

Effects of livestock grazing intensity on soil biota in a semiarid steppe of Inner Mongolia

Intensive livestock is known to significantly affect soil physical and chemical parameters in steppe ecosystems. However, the effects on soil biological parameters still remain unknown. We hypothesized that intensive grazing would significantly decrease the size and diversity of soil biota due to deterioration of the soil environment and reduction in vegetation cover, while the adapted grazing intensity would improve the biological parameters. Soil samples were collected from five sites with different grazing intensities and history in a semiarid steppe of Inner Mongolia in August 2005. Two sites were long-term ungrazed since 1979 (UG79) and 1999 (UG99), one had been moderately grazed in winter (WG), one continuously grazed moderately (CG) and one long-term site was heavily grazed (HG). Soil microbial biomass carbon (C), basal respiration (BR), catabolic diversity of soil microbial communities, protozoa and nematodes abundance were measured. Soil physicochemical variables were also measured to establish the relationships between soil biological parameters and key soil physical and chemical properties. Soil microbial biomass C, BR, biomass specific respiration (qCO₂) and soil protozoa abundance were significantly lower at the HG site compared to the UG79 site, but no clear differences were found in the other sites. However, soil nematodes abundance increased with increasing grazing intensity, and the abundance of soil amoeba were greater in CG than in the other sites. Principal component analysis (PCA) of Biolog data revealed large differences in catabolic capacity of soil microbial communities between UG79, HG and UG99, WG, CG. However, Shannon??s diversity index did not indicate marked effects of grazing intensity on substrate catabolic community structure. In conclusion, heavy grazing negatively affected soil microbial biomass, activity and protozoan abundance, but positively influenced soil nematodes abundance and did not affect soil microbial catabolic diversity. Based on these results, CG may provide an appropriate grazing intensity to be used in the long term in the semiarid steppe of Inner Mongolia.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with vegetation and soil parameters under rest grazing management in a desert steppe ecosystem

The impact of rest grazing on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and the interactions of AMF with vegetation and soil parameters under rest grazing condition were investigated between spring and late summer in a desert steppe ecosystem with different grazing managements (rest grazing with different lengths of resting period, banned or continuous grazing) in Inner Mongolia, China. AMF diversity and colonization, vegetation biomass, soil properties and soil phosphatase activity were examined. In rest grazing areas of 60 days, AMF spore number and diversity index at a 0–10 cm soil depth as well as vesicular and hyphal colonization rates were higher compared with other grazing treatments. In addition, soil organic matter and total N contents were highest and soil alkaline phosphatase was most active under 60-day rest grazing. In August and September, these areas also had the highest amount of aboveground vegetation. The results indicated that resting grazing for an appropriate period of time in spring has a positive effect on AMF sporulation, colonization and diversity, and that under rest grazing conditions, AMF parameters are positively correlated with some soil characteristics.     

Impact of grazing on soil carbon and microbial biomass in typical steppe and desert steppe of Inner Mongolia

The potential of grazing lands to sequester carbon must be understood to develop effective soil conservation measures and sustain livestock production. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of grazing on soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) in Typical steppe and Desert steppe ecosystems, which are both important grassland resources for animal grazing and ecological conservation in China, and to derive region-specific soil C changes associated with different stocking rates (ungrazed, UG; lightly grazed, LG; moderately grazed, MG; heavily grazed, HG). This study substantiated that significant higher SOC, TN and MBC appeared with the treatment of LG in typical steppe. From 2004 to 2010, grazing treatments increased soil carbon storage in desert steppe, which was partly due to the grazing history. The higher MBC concentration and MBC/SOC suggest a great potential for carbon sequestration in the desert steppe ecosystem. The greater MBC in desert steppe than typical steppe was mainly the result of higher precipitation and temperature, instead of soil substrate. The change of MBC and the strong positive relationships between MBC and SOC indicated that MBC in the soil was a sensitive index to indicate the dynamics of soil organic carbon in both steppes in Inner Mongolia of China.     

荒漠草原土壤种子库对草地管理方式的响应

以宁夏中部不同封育年限(封育1a、3a、5a和7a)、不同放牧方式(中等强度自由放牧、中等强度4区轮牧)、补播改良(2006年补播沙打旺Astragalus adsurgens和紫花苜蓿Alfalfa stiva)及未封育等管理方式下的荒漠草原为研究对象,采用空间梯度代替时间梯度法,于2012年3月下旬用样线法采集土壤样品,采用温室萌发法,统计土壤种子库物种组成和种子数,研究了不同草地管理方式下的种子库与地上植被相似性、多样性等特征。结果表明:1)宁夏荒漠草原土壤种子库中共出现14种植物,分属6科14属,除牛枝子(Lespedeza potanimii)为半灌木外其余均为草本植物。多年生植物占土壤种子库植物总数的65.3%,一年生植物占土壤种子库植物总数的35.7%;多年生植物种子数量随封育年限增加而表现为下降趋势,封育1a和未封育草地最多;2)不同管理方式下土壤种子库和地上植被的共有物种数为2—6种,封育时间延长导致土壤种子库物种与地上植被相似性下降,土壤种子库和地上植被共有物种数有减少趋势,自由放牧降低了土壤种子库和地上植被的共有物种数,补播恢复的草地土壤种子库中未出现补播物种;3)种子库物种多样性与管理方式无明显的相关性;种子库物种多样性指数4区轮牧草地最高,封育7a草地最低,物种丰富度指数封育1a草地最高,均匀度指数自由放牧草地最高,补播草地最低。若荒漠草原仅依靠土壤种子库恢复自然植被,则不建议封育时间过久,需间以适当的干扰(放牧);补播外来种未对荒漠草原土壤种子库产生贡献,反而对乡土种产生了一定限制。     

不同放牧强度下短花针茅荒漠草原植被-土壤系统有机碳组分储量特征

草地生态系统作为陆地生态系统的重要组成部分,在全球碳循环中发挥着重要作用。以内蒙古短花针茅荒漠草原不同放牧强度样地为研究对象,通过分析地上植物、凋落物、根系、土壤中有机碳和土壤轻组有机碳,研究草原植被-土壤系统有机碳组分储量的变化特征,从碳储量角度为合理利用草原提供指导。研究结果表明:(1)不同放牧强度荒漠草原地上植物碳储量为11.98—44.51 g/m~2,凋落物碳储量10.43—36.12 g/m~2,根系(0—40cm)碳储量502.30—804.31 g/m~2,且对照区(CK)均显著高于中度放牧区(MG)、重度放牧区(HG);(2)0—40cm土壤碳储量为7817.43—9694.16 g/m~2,其中轻度放牧区(LG)碳储量为9694.16 g/m~2,显著高于CK、HG(P0.05);(3)植被—土壤系统的碳储量为8342.14—10494.80 g/m~2,LGMGCKHG,有机碳主要储存于土壤当中,占比约90.54%—93.71%,适度放牧利用有利于发挥草地生态系统的碳汇功能;(4)土壤轻组有机碳储量为484.20—654.62 g/m~2,LG储量最高,表明适度放牧有助于草原土壤营养物质的循环和积累。     

放牧强度对短花针茅荒漠草原甲虫群落分布格局的影响

放牧对脆弱的荒漠草原生态系统有着重要影响,且随放牧强度及持续时间不同而变化。鞘翅目昆虫是环境监测与生物多样性变化的指示生物。利用巴氏罐诱法对短花针茅荒漠草原不同放牧强度草地的甲虫群落组成和多样性进行调查,探究放牧对荒漠草原甲虫群落的影响。结果表明:(1)步甲科、金龟科为短花针茅荒漠草原甲虫群落优势类群,埋葬甲科、芫菁科、拟步甲科和花金龟科为常见类群。(2)放牧强度增加不利于维持更多的捕食性甲虫;对照和轻度放牧样地可维持更多的腐食性甲虫。(3)甲虫数量随放牧强度增加而递减;群落多样性以重度放牧草地最大,轻度放牧草地最小;群落优势度为对照、中度、重度显著高于轻度放牧草地。各甲虫类群在不同放牧强度草地出现时间、高峰期均不同。(4)对照、轻度、重度放牧样地的甲虫优势类群群落结构不同于其他生境,但均与中度放牧样地存在相似性。轻度、中度、重度放牧样地的甲虫稀有类群群落结构不同于其他生境,但均与对照样地存在相似性。(5)甲虫群落个体数与植物群落物种丰富度、盖度、植物平均高度、生物量呈显著正相关。Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Margalef丰富度指数均与植物群落物种丰富度、生物量显著负相关。研究结果为荒漠草原甲虫多样性保护提供参考依据。     

放牧和刈割对内蒙古典型草原大型土壤动物的影响

采用连续3年全季节放牧、3种季节性轮牧、秋季刈割和不利用对照6种处理, 研究了内蒙古典型草原大型土壤动物群落特征.调查在春、夏和秋3个季节进行,共捕获大型土壤动物597只,隶属于2门4纲11目,49个类群.结果表明: 全季节放牧导致土壤动物的个体密度、生物量和多样性降低;而刈割的影响相对较轻,土壤动物的个体密度、生物量和多样性甚至有提高趋势.3种季节性轮牧处理中,夏季和秋季放牧2次处理对土壤动物群落个体密度、生物量和多样性等指标的负面影响较轻.刈割管理对退化典型草原大型土壤动物群落的恢复较为有利;夏季和秋季放牧2次处理对大型土壤动物群落的负面影响较轻,是较理想的草地可持续管理措施.     

荒漠草原植物多样性恢复与土壤生境的关系

为揭示荒漠草原围栏封育后植物多样性的恢复对土壤生境的响应机制,以围栏封育和适度放牧草地的灰钙土和风沙土生境植物群落为研究对象,采用方差分析和冗余分析（redundancy analysis RDA）方法,研究了围栏封育后植物多样性的变化及其与土壤生境物理和化学因子的关系。结果表明：（1）相对于适度放牧利用,围栏封育显著降低了灰钙土和风沙土生境植物多样性;随着封育年限的增加,植物多样性呈现显著,且封育的负效应随着封育年限的增加而增加;（2）两种土壤生境下植物多样性与生物量均表现为负相关。植物群落对灰钙土和风沙土两种土壤生境下表现出的不同点有：（1）灰钙土生境下,植物多样性与砂粒正相关,生物量与有机碳,全氮正相关;（2）风沙土生境下,植物多样性与有机碳,全氮正相关,生物量与电导率正相关。未来荒漠草原退化草地植物多样性恢复需要充分考虑不同土壤生境类型的影响,草地管理需要采取适度利用和封育保护相结合道路。     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alter plant community composition along a grazing gradient in Inner Mongolia Steppe

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have a significant influence on plant productivity and diversity in non-grazing grassland. However, the interactive effects between grazing intensity and AMF on plant community composition in natural grassland communities are not well known. We conducted a field experiment that manipulated AMF colonization and grazing intensity to study the impact of AMF suppression on plant community composition and nutrient status over 2 years (2015–2016) with contrasting rainfall levels. We found that AMF root colonization was significantly reduced by the application of the fungicide benomyl as a soil drench. Grazing intensity regulated plant community composition and aboveground biomass mainly by reducing the growth of Leymus chinensis over 2 years. AMF suppression increased the growth of Chenopodium glaucum, but it did not alter other plant species across all grazing intensities. The effects of AMF suppression on plant community composition changed along a grazing gradient considerably between years: AMF suppression increased the biomass of C. glaucum across all grazing intensities in 2015, but slightly increased it in 2016. Interactions between AMF suppression and grazing intensity altered the phosphorus concentration of Stipa grandis and Cleistogenes squarrosa in 2015 but not in 2016. AMF suppression decreased the shoot phosphorus content of L. chinensis but increased that of C. glaucum across all grazing intensities. Our results indicate that grazing intensity substantially alters aboveground community biomass and affects growth of dominant species; AMF by itself have limited effects on plant communities along a grazing gradient in typical steppe.     

Spontaneous steppe restoration on abandoned cropland in Kazakhstan: grazing affects successional pathways

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, 12 million ha of cropland were abandoned in the steppe zone of Kazakhstan. At the same time livestock numbers crashed, leaving large areas of steppe without any grazing. We aimed to investigate, to which degree spontaneous succession on former cropland leads to the restoration of native steppe vegetation, and how this process is influenced by changing grazing patterns. We recorded biomass and vegetation characteristics as well as local soil and landscape variables in 151 quadrats of 100 m², covering 89 plots on former cropland abandoned in the early 1990s and 62 reference plots of near-natural steppe grassland that was never ploughed. About half of the plots of each category were located in a remote region where grazing has been absent for ca. 20 years, whereas the other half was located in a region with moderate livestock grazing. While there were no differences in the diversity, structure and plant life form composition of currently grazed and un-grazed near-natural steppe grasslands, corresponding successional plots on abandoned arable land exhibited significant differences. Grazed plots on former fields showed higher species richness and a higher cover of dwarf shrubs (mostly Artemisia spec.), ruderals and perennial herbs. At the same time, immigration of typical steppe species was much more successful. Contrary, in the absence of any grazing we found species-poor swards dominated by Stipa lessingiana and Leymus ramosus exhibiting an increasing frequency of wildfires due to litter accumulation. After 15–20 years, secondary steppe grasslands still differed substantially from their near-natural references. Our results suggest that grazing is mandatory to fully restore the original near-natural steppe vegetation and the underlying processes of pyric herbivory.     

内蒙古高原典型草原区河漫滩湿地植物群落退化表征

草原区河流河漫滩草甸是生物多样性表现最充分和生物生产力最高的地段, 但由于过度放牧利用, 绝大部分草甸处于退化状态。该文以锡林河流域中游的河漫滩草甸为研究对象, 比较分析了围封保育湿地与放牧退化湿地的群落组成、地上生物量, 以及共有植物种的植株高度、节间长、叶长、叶宽, 土壤含水量、容重, 群落地下根量及根的分布, 土壤微生物生物量碳、氮的变化。结果表明: 1)放牧使得湿地植物群落优势种发生变化, 原有湿生植物逐渐向旱生化转变, 同时地上及地下生物量明显降低。2)退化湿地的植物呈现显著小型化现象。3)放牧退化湿地的土壤含水量较围封保育湿地低, 其垂直分布及地下根的垂直分布也发生变化。在低河漫滩, 土壤水分随土层的增加而增加, 根量也趋于深层化。但在高河漫滩湿地, 土壤含水量接近典型草原, 根未出现深层化分布趋势。4)放牧践踏引起土壤容重和土壤紧实度增加。5)放牧使得低河漫滩湿地土壤微生物生物量增加, 而在过渡区及高河漫滩湿地, 放牧使得土壤微生物生物量碳、氮含量显著降低。     

放牧对内蒙古锡林河流域草地群落植物茎叶生物量资源分配的影响

以内蒙古锡林河流域沿水分梯度分布的灰脉苔草(Carex appendiculata)、贝加尔针茅(Stipa baicalensis)、羊草(Leymus chinensis)、大针茅(Stipa grandis)、小叶锦鸡儿(Caragana microphylla)和冷蒿(Artemisia frigida) 6个草地群落为对象, 研究了围封禁牧与放牧样地中144个共有植物种的高度、丛幅面积、茎、叶和株(丛)生物量、茎叶比等性状。结果表明: 1)在个体水平上, 放牧样地中植物的生殖枝高度、营养枝高度、丛幅面积、单株(丛)生物量、茎、叶生物量和茎叶比均显著低于围封禁牧样地, 植物在放牧干扰下表现出明显的小型化现象; 2)在群落水平上, 放牧亦显著降低了群落总生物量和茎、叶生物量; 3)过度放牧显著改变了物种的资源分配策略, 使生物量向叶的分配比例增加, 向茎的分配比例减少。资源优先向同化器官分配可能是植物对长期放牧干扰的一种重要适应对策; 4)轻度放牧对物种的资源分配没有显著影响, 单株(丛)生物量和群落茎、叶及总生物量均表现出增加趋势, 这与过度放牧的影响正好相反。过度放牧引起的植物个体小型化改变了生态系统中物种的资源分配策略, 进而对生态系统功能产生重要的影响。     

Impact of grazing regime on a Mongolian forest steppe

Question: What is the impact of grazing regime on plant species abundance, plant growth form, plant productivity and plant nutrient concentrations in a forest steppe? Location: Hustai National Park in the forest steppe region of Mongolia. Methods: On the Stipa steppe we applied three different grazing regimes by using; (1) one type of exclosure which excluded grazing by large mammalian herbivores, mainly takh (Przewalski horse), (2) another type of exclosure that excluded both large and small (Siberian marmots) mammalian herbivores, and (3) control plots which were freely grazed. We measured species frequencies, tiller densities, plant biomass and nitrogen concentrations of the vegetation. Results: Exclusion from grazing by takh and marmots significantly increased plant standing crop, but marmot grazing and full grazing did not show significant differences. Protection from grazing decreased forage quality, shown by a lower N-concentration of the standing crop. However, this was solely the result of the lower live-dead ratio of the vegetation. The frequency of the rhizomatous Leymus chinensis decreased under reduced grazing, as did the frequency of the total of rhizomatous species. The frequency of Stipa krylovii increased under reduced grazing, as did its basal areas, tiller density and tussock height. Conclusion: Reduced grazing leads to a lower abundance of rhizomatous species and an increase in tussock species.     

Grazing‐induced changes in plant–soil feedback alter plant biomass allocation

Large vertebrate herbivores, as well as plant–soil feedback interactions are important drivers of plant performance, plant community composition and vegetation dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems. However, it is poorly understood whether and how large vertebrate herbivores and plant–soil feedback effects interact. Here, we study the response of grassland plant species to grazing‐induced legacy effects in the soil and we explore whether these plant responses can help us to understand long‐term vegetation dynamics in the field. In a greenhouse experiment we tested the response of four grassland plant species, Agrostis capillaris, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus and Rumex acetosa, to field‐conditioned soils from grazed and ungrazed grassland. We relate these responses to long‐term vegetation data from a grassland exclosure experiment in the field. In the greenhouse experiment, we found that total biomass production and biomass allocation to roots was higher in soils from grazed than from ungrazed plots. There were only few relationships between plant production in the greenhouse and the abundance of conspecifics in the field. Spatiotemporal patterns in plant community composition were more stable in grazed than ungrazed grassland plots, but were not related to plant–soil feedbacks effects and biomass allocation patterns. We conclude that grazing‐induced soil legacy effects mainly influenced plant biomass allocation patterns, but could not explain altered vegetation dynamics in grazed grasslands. Consequently, the direct effects of grazing on plant community composition (e.g. through modifying light competition or differences in grazing tolerance) appear to overrule indirect effects through changes in plant–soil feedback.     

放牧对呼伦贝尔草地植物和土壤生态化学计量学特征的影响

放牧通过畜体采食、践踏和排泄物归还影响草地群落组成、植物形态和土壤养分,植物通过改变养分利用策略适应环境变化。通过分析呼伦贝尔草原放牧和围封样地中的群落植物和土壤的碳氮磷养分及化学计量比,探讨放牧对生态系统化学计量学特征和养分循环速率的影响机制。结果如下:(1)群落尺度上,放牧和围封草地植物叶片C、N和P的含量没有显著差异;但是在种群尺度上,放牧草地植物叶片N含量显著高于围封草地;(2)放牧草地土壤全C、全N、有机C、速效P含量,低于围封草地,硝态N含量高于围封草地;土壤全P和铵态N指标没有显著差异;(3)放牧草地植物C∶N比显著低于围封草地,植物残体分解速率较快,提高了生态系统养分循环速率。     

Vegetation and soil responses to livestock grazing in Central Asian grasslands: a review of Chinese literature

Grasslands in northern China and the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau are particularly important to both ecosystem functioning and pastoral livelihoods. Although there are numerous degradation studies on the effect of livestock grazing across the region, they are largely only published in Chinese, and most focus on single sites. Based on case studies from 100 sites, covering a mean annual precipitation gradient of 95–744 mm, we present a comprehensive, internationally accessible review on the impact of livestock grazing on vegetation and soils. We compared ungrazed or slightly grazed sites with moderately and heavily grazed sites by evaluating changes in two indicator groups: vegetation (plant species richness, vegetation cover, aboveground biomass, belowground biomass and root/shoot ratio) and soil (pH, bulk density, organic C, total N, total P and available P). Most indicators declined with intensified grazing, while soil pH, bulk density and belowground biomass increased. Available P showed no clear response. Variables within indicator groups were mostly linearly correlated at a given grazing intensity. Relative grazing effects on different indicators varied along specific abiotic gradients. Grazing responses of plant species richness, aboveground biomass, soil bulk density, total N and available P interacted with precipitation patterns, while grazing effects on belowground biomass were influenced by temperature. Elevation had impact on grazing responses of aboveground biomass and soil organic carbon. Complex grazing effects reflect both methodological inconsistency and ecological complexity. Further assessments should consider specific characteristics of different indicators in the context of the local environment.     

轮牧时间对荒漠草原土壤种子库特性的影响

探讨季节性放牧下土壤种子库的特性对荒漠草原合理利用具有重要作用。以宁夏荒漠草原为对象,通过封育(FY)、传统时间轮牧(FG)、延迟开始轮牧(YG)、提前结束轮牧(TG)、延迟开始并提前结束轮牧(YT)和自由放牧(ZY)处理,研究了0～5、5～10、10～15 cm土层土壤种子库物种组成、种子库密度、垂直分布、多样性及其与地上植被的关系,探讨了种子库与土壤环境因子的关系。结果表明: 研究区土壤种子库物种组成共有9个科21个种。土壤种子库物种组成以TG种子库种类最多,达13种,而FY和ZY土壤种子库种类最少,各8种。ZY土壤种子库密度显著高于FY、YG、TG、YT;FY的土壤种子库中多年生植物种子数量最多,达32.0%;ZY种子库中多年生植物种子数最少,仅为12.4%,主要以有性繁殖的一年生杂类草种子为主;土壤种子库主要集中于0～5 cm表层土壤,随着土层深度的增加,土壤种子库大小降低。土壤种子库的优势度和多样性均以FY最高,优势度、多样性和均匀度均以ZY最低。土壤种子库与地上植被的相似性总体较低,相比之下FG及ZY种子库与地上植被相似性较高,FY最低。土壤水分、有机质、全氮、全磷、土壤容重是影响土壤种子库的主要土壤因子。与传统全年自由放牧相比,季节性四区轮牧能使荒漠草原土壤种子库多年生植物种类、密度以及种子库物种丰富度、多样性和均匀度增加,虽作用不及长期封育草地,但对荒漠草原的利用与保护具有重要意义。     

不同放牧强度草原休牧后土壤养分和植物群落变化特征

在内蒙古典型草原,对不同放牧率草地休牧3a后的土壤养分空间异质性和植物群落的数量变化特征进行了研究,结果表明：不同放牧率草地休牧3a后,由于维持土壤养分或植被空间格局的匀质化条件消失,土壤养分的空间异质性呈不同程度的增大趋势,随机性因素所占比例增加,其中土壤有机碳、全氮、无机氮、有效磷和有效硫的空间异质性均以0．00羊/hm^2区最大,4．00羊／hm^2区（中牧区）最小,其它样地不同土壤养分指标表现不同的变化特征;群落生物量和群落盖度均表现增加趋势,但群落盖度增加不显著（P〉0．05）,与1998年相比,群落生物量除对照区外均达到了显著性差异（P〈0．05）,与1．33羊／hm^2、4．00羊／hm^2和6．67羊／hm^2相比,O．00羊／hm^2优势植物出现多样化特征;群落的灌丛化与牧压和恢复演替的时间序列高度相关,牧压越小,恢复演替的时间序列越大,群落灌丛化的趋势越明显;1年生植物、羊草、克氏针茅、木地肤、冷蒿（除6．67羊／hm^2）和扁蓿豆（除O．00羊／hm^2）均表现增加趋势,星毛委陵菜则均表现降低趋势;植物群落的生物量、群落高度、群落盖度和群落物种多样性与土壤养分分布均表现一致的正相关关系,但只有植物群落生物量和群落高度与土壤有机碳、全氮、无机氮、土壤有效磷和有效硫相关显著（P〈0．05）。     

内蒙古典型草原放牧压力评价及土壤N储量响应

放牧是草原生态系统的重要干扰,是草原氮循环的重要影响因素。为了揭示放牧对土壤N储量的影响,在内蒙古典型草原,基于单位草原面积草原载畜量和单位草原生产力,建立了放牧压力评价模型,并利用1990—2011年以县为单位统计的放牧牲畜数据和2001—2011每年合成的MODIS-NDVI_(max)影像数据评估了放牧压力的空间分布。基于2011年野外调查的95个样点和2010年调查的41个样点数据,对处于低放牧压力(LG),中放牧压力(MG)和高放牧压力(HG)的样点数据进行了统计分析。结果表明:放牧压力对土壤容重(BD),土壤全碳(TC)含量和土壤全氮(TN)含量具有显著影响,特别在土壤表层(0—10cm),土壤容重、TC含量和TN含量在LG,MG和HG之间存在显著差异。TC含量和TN含量随放牧压力增加而降低,BD随放牧压力增加而增加;黏粒含量(CC)在3个放牧压力梯度上不存在显著差异;土壤N储量表现出和TN含量相似的变化特征,随土壤深度增加而降低,随放牧压力增加而减少,在0—50cm范围内,土壤N储量在LG、MG和HG之间存在显著差异(2011,P0.05;2010,P0.1)。重度放牧是草原生态系统氮损失的主要因素之一,降低放牧压力有助于降低草原氮损失和恢复植被生产力。