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.     

不同放牧条件下锡林郭勒典型草原土壤水分分布特征及降水入渗估算

由人类活动所导致的锡林郭勒草原草场退化、土地沙化等问题日趋严重, 区域土壤水资源评价及其科学管理显得尤为重要。为确定锡林郭勒典型草原不同放牧条件对深层土壤剖面水分动态及降水入渗补给的影响, 选取1979年以来禁牧(UG79)、1999年以来禁牧(UG99)和持续放牧(CG) 3个小区6个土壤剖面, 基于不同深度土层的质量含水量、Cl ^-浓度等数据, 分析了放牧对深层土壤水分特征的影响, 且利用氯质量平衡法估算了降水入渗补给量。结果表明: 1)禁牧可以提高土壤含水量, 且禁牧时间越长, 效果越显著, 尤以表层最为明显。整个土壤剖面(0-5 m)土壤质量含水量的平均值表现为UG79 > UG99 > CG, 但各处理间差异不显著; 0-2 m UG79处理土壤剖面质量含水量分别比UG99和CG处理高26.6%和33.7%, 储水量分别高87.19 mm和82.52 mm, 且UG79处理与UG99、CG差异显著, 但UG99与CG之间差异不显著; 除局部地区受土壤颗粒组成影响含水量不同外, 各处理2-5 m土层含水量和储水量差异较小; 2)不同处理土壤含水量影响因素不同, 0-2 m土层含水量主要受地表植被状况和土壤性质的综合影响, 而2-5 m土层则主要受土壤颗粒组成的影响, 但随着禁牧年限的增加, 土壤有机质(SOM)含量对土壤水分的影响越来越大。UG79整个土壤剖面含水量与土壤颗粒含量和SOM含量呈极显著相关关系, UG99与CG处理0-2 m含水量与SOM含量呈极显著相关关系, 2-5 m土壤含水量与土壤颗粒含量呈极显著相关关系, 而与SOM含量相关性不显著; 3)氯质量平衡法估算得出年降水入渗补给率为UG79 > UG99 > CG, 35年和15年禁牧分别将降水入渗补给率提高了130.2%和44.5%; 考虑干沉降的不确定性, 研究区年降水入渗补给率为1.95-7.61 mm·a ^-1, 仅占年降水量的0.55%-2.13%。总之, 禁牧能够增加土壤含水量和储水量, 增加降水对土壤水分的补给, 但降水不是该区地下水的主要补给源。     

Characteristics of soil water distribution and evaluation of recharge rate under different grazing history in the Xilin Gol Steppe

由人类活动所导致的锡林郭勒草原草场退化、土地沙化等问题日趋严重, 区域土壤水资源评价及其科学管理显得尤为重要。为确定锡林郭勒典型草原不同放牧条件对深层土壤剖面水分动态及降水入渗补给的影响, 选取1979年以来禁牧(UG79)、1999年以来禁牧(UG99)和持续放牧(CG) 3个小区6个土壤剖面, 基于不同深度土层的质量含水量、Cl ^-浓度等数据, 分析了放牧对深层土壤水分特征的影响, 且利用氯质量平衡法估算了降水入渗补给量。结果表明: 1)禁牧可以提高土壤含水量, 且禁牧时间越长, 效果越显著, 尤以表层最为明显。整个土壤剖面(0-5 m)土壤质量含水量的平均值表现为UG79 > UG99 > CG, 但各处理间差异不显著; 0-2 m UG79处理土壤剖面质量含水量分别比UG99和CG处理高26.6%和33.7%, 储水量分别高87.19 mm和82.52 mm, 且UG79处理与UG99、CG差异显著, 但UG99与CG之间差异不显著; 除局部地区受土壤颗粒组成影响含水量不同外, 各处理2-5 m土层含水量和储水量差异较小; 2)不同处理土壤含水量影响因素不同, 0-2 m土层含水量主要受地表植被状况和土壤性质的综合影响, 而2-5 m土层则主要受土壤颗粒组成的影响, 但随着禁牧年限的增加, 土壤有机质(SOM)含量对土壤水分的影响越来越大。UG79整个土壤剖面含水量与土壤颗粒含量和SOM含量呈极显著相关关系, UG99与CG处理0-2 m含水量与SOM含量呈极显著相关关系, 2-5 m土壤含水量与土壤颗粒含量呈极显著相关关系, 而与SOM含量相关性不显著; 3)氯质量平衡法估算得出年降水入渗补给率为UG79 > UG99 > CG, 35年和15年禁牧分别将降水入渗补给率提高了130.2%和44.5%; 考虑干沉降的不确定性, 研究区年降水入渗补给率为1.95-7.61 mm·a ^-1, 仅占年降水量的0.55%-2.13%。总之, 禁牧能够增加土壤含水量和储水量, 增加降水对土壤水分的补给, 但降水不是该区地下水的主要补给源。     

Belowground net primary productivity and biomass allocation of a grassland in Inner Mongolia is affected by grazing intensity

The root system of permanent grasslands is of outstanding importance for resource acquisition. Particularly under semi-arid conditions, the acquisition of water and nutrients is highly variable during the vegetation growth period and between years. Additionally, grazing is repeatedly disturbing the functional equilibrium between the root system and the transpiring leaf canopy. However, very few data is available considering grazing effects on belowground net primary productivity (BNPP) and root-shoot dry mass allocation in natural grassland systems. We hypothesise that grazing significantly reduces BNPP due to carbon reallocation to shoot growth. Root biomass and BNPP were estimated by soil coring in 2004, 2005 and 2006 and from ingrowth cores in 2005 and 2006 at one site which has been protected from grazing since 1979 (UG79), at one winter grazing (WG), and one heavily grazed (HG) site. BNPP was estimated from the summation of significant increments of total and live root biomass and from accumulated root biomass of ingrowth cores. Belowground biomass varied from 1,490–2,670 g m^?2 and was significantly lower under heavy grazing than at site UG79. Root turnover varied from 0.23 to 0.33 year^?1 and was not significantly different between sites. Heavy grazing significantly decreased live root biomass and BNPP compared to site UG79. Taking BNPP estimates from live root biomass dynamics and ingrowth cores as the most reliable values, the portion of dry mass allocated belowground relative to total net primary productivity (BNPP/NPP) varied between 0.50–0.66 and was reduced under heavy grazing in 2005, but not in 2006. The positive correlation between cumulative root length density of ingrowth cores and leaf dry matter suggests that the ingrowth core method is suitable for studying BNPP in this semi-arid steppe system. Grazing effects on BNPP and BNPP/NPP should be considered in regional carbon models and estimates of belowground nutrient cycling.     

Influence of grazing on hydraulic and mechanical properties of semiarid steppe soils under different vegetation type in Inner Mongolia, China

Over the last few decades, due to increase in grazing intensity, animal trampling has led to soil structure deterioration in Inner Mongolia, China. We investigated two different steppe ecosystems: Leymus chinensis (LCh, characterized by relatively higher precipitation) and Stipa grandis (SG) and two grazing intensities: ungrazed since 1979 (UG79) and grazed (continuously grazed, CG, at the Stipa grandis site and winter grazed, WG, at Leymus chinensis). Soil mechanical and hydraulic properties of semiarid steppe soils from each site and treatment were determined for soil aggregates and disturbed and bulk soil samples from different depths (4?C8, 18?C22, 30?C34 and 56?C60 cm for disturbed and bulk samples and 0?C15 cm for the aggregates). Grazing causes a significant increase in tensile strength of aggregates and in the precompression stress of the bulk soil as well as a decrease in air and saturated hydraulic conductivity, irrespective of the vegetation type. Furthermore, exclusion from grazing led to more pronounced recovery of soil strength and pore continuity and hydraulic conductivity at the LCh site but it also depended on the moisture conditions of the sites. Under wetter conditions as well as after repeated freezing and thawing the soil strength declined.     

Land use and drought interactively affect interspecific competition and species diversity at the local scale in a semiarid steppe ecosystem

Few studies have considered interactive effects of grazing and drought on species composition and the relative contribution of species to total biomass, although it is important to understand the short-term dynamics and community succession in grazed ecosystems. We monitored species diversity and relative biomass contribution at one site protected from grazing since 1979 (UG79), and at winter grazing (WG) and heavily grazed (HG) sites. Continuous heavy grazing resulted in lower plant height and more but small individuals (tillers or stolons). Drought significantly reduced total plant density on all sites. Grazing affected species diversity more than drought. Species richness at site UG79 was significantly higher than at sites WG and HG, while drought only tended to reduce species diversity. Drought stress and grazing disturbance interactively controlled species competition and functional groups. Both perennial grasses and forbs had greater contribution to total biomass at site UG79, and perennial grasses contributed more than 97% of total biomass at site WG. The contribution to total biomass of annual forbs and semi-shrubs significantly increased at site HG after two dry years. The significant decrease in Potentilla acaulis and a substantial increase in annual species at this site indicate that the perennial vegetation of this ecosystem is in great danger of extinction under conditions of prolonged drought.     

Response of Vegetation and Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Storage to Grazing Intensity in Semi-Arid Grasslands in the Agro-Pastoral Zone of Northern China

Overgrazing has been the primary cause of grassland degradation in the semi-arid grasslands of the agro-pastoral transition zone in northern China. However, there has been little evidence regarding grazing intensity impacts on vegetation change and soil C and N dynamics in this region. This paper reports the effects of four grazing intensities namely un-grazed (UG), lightly grazed (LG), moderately grazed (MG) and heavily grazed (HG) on vegetation characteristics and soil properties of grasslands in the Guyuan county in the agro-pastoral transition region, Hebei province, northern China. Our study showed that the vegetation height, canopy cover, plant species abundance and aboveground biomass decreased significantly with increased grazing intensity. Similarly, soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (STN) in the 0–50 cm were highest under UG (13.3 kg C m⁻² and 1.69 kg N m⁻²) and lowest under HG (9.8 kg C m⁻² and 1.22 kg N m⁻²). Soil available nitrogen (SAN) was significantly lower under HG (644 kg N hm⁻²) than under other treatments (725–731 kg N hm⁻²) in the 0–50 cm. Our results indicate that the pasture management of “take half-leave half” has potential benefits for primary production and livestock grazing in this region. However, grazing exclusion was perhaps the most effective choice for restoring degraded grasslands in this region. Therefore, flexible rangeland management should be adopted in this region.     

Effects of rotational and continuous grazing on herbage quality,feed intake and performance of sheep on a semi-arid grassland steppe

Compared to continuous grazing (CG), rotational grazing (RG) increases herbage production and thereby the resilience of grasslands to intensive grazing. Results on feed intake and animal performance, however, are contradictory. Hence, the objective of the study was to determine the effects of RG and CG on herbage mass, digestibility of ingested organic matter (dOM), organic matter intake (OMI) and live weight gain (LWG) of sheep in the Inner Mongolian steppe, China. During June–September 2005–2008, two 2-ha plots were used for each grazing system. In RG, plots were divided into four 0.5-ha paddocks that were grazed for 10 days each at a moderate stocking rate. Instead, CG sheep grazed the whole plots throughout the entire grazing season. At the beginning of every month, dOM was estimated from faecal crude protein concentration. Faeces excretion was determined using titanium dioxide in six sheep per plot. The animals were weighed every month to determine their LWG. Across the years, herbage mass did not differ between systems (p = 0.820). However, dOM, OMI and LWG were lower in RG than in CG (p ≤ 0.005). Thus, our study showed that RG does not improve herbage growth, feed intake and performance of sheep and suggests that stocking rates rather than management system determine the ecological sustainability of pastoral livestock systems in semi-arid environments.     

Short-term rather than long-term exclusion of grazing increases soil bacterial diversity in an Inner Mongolian steppe

In the Three Gorges Reservoir Region of China, periodic flooding has led to plant destruction, causing much ecological damage. Re-vegetation with submergence-tolerant species is a possible solution to this problem. At present, many submergence-tolerant species have been selected for such restoration efforts, but it is unclear why these species can survive complete submergence while other species cannot. In this study, we investigated the response of two species – submergence-tolerant Salix variegata Franch. and submergence-intolerant Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl. – to flooding. Plants were submerged to 2 m for 3, 9, 15, and 30 days, after which malondialdehyde (MDA) (a membrane injury product) and superoxide anion content, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activity, was measured. We found that (1) MDA levels increased in submerged C. camphora seedlings but remained constant in S. variegata; (2) superoxide anion content and SOD activity in the two species responded similarly to submergence; and (3) POD activity in S. variegata seedlings was much higher than in C. camphora. These results demonstrate that plant tolerance to submergence is related to membrane stability, and that POD activity is an important factor in this tolerance.     

Trigonella arcuata-associated rhizobia��an Ensifer (Sinorhizobium) meliloti population adapted to a desert environment

Long-term monitoring of soil properties reveals site-specific ecosystem shifts in soil processes due to land use and climate changes. This paper aims to study the effects of physical landscape changes associated with grazing on soil thermal and moisture regime at the plot scale in a semiarid Leymus chinensis steppe of Inner Mongolia, China. The investigated sites were subjected to three grazing intensities: ungrazed since 1979 (UG79), moderately grazed only in winter time (WG), and heavily grazed (HG). At each plot, we recorded the soil moisture and temperature over a 6-year period that spanned between June 2004 and September 2009 and experienced a large range in precipitation (162 to 362 mm). Based on these monitoring data, we divided a year into four hydric periods: (1) growing period (late April to August); (2) transitional period from summer to winter (September?COctober); (3) winter time (November?Cfirst March); and (4) transitional period from winter to summer (March?CApril). In general, soil moisture in grazed sites was lower than in the ungrazed site, particularly for the 30?C50 cm soil layer. Seasonal fluctuation of the soil moisture, due to variable precipitation and atmospheric demands, was most significant in the topsoil (0?C10 cm) and was less pronounced in deeper soil. Regardless of hydric seasons, soil moisture was significantly influenced by grazing intensity, whereas soil temperature was slightly influenced. With increasing grazing intensity, soil water storage decreased remarkably. Consequently, grazing reduced plant available water and therefore grassland productivity, which are linked to a great extent with the trampling-induced soil structure change and soil moisture regime.     

Methane emissions from beef cattle grazing on semi-natural upland and improved lowland grasslands

In ruminants, methane (CH₄) is a by-product of digestion and contributes significantly to the greenhouse gas emissions attributed to agriculture. Grazed grass is a relatively cheap and nutritious feed but herbage species and nutritional quality vary between pastures, with management, land type and season all potentially impacting on animal performance and CH₄ production. The objective of this study was to evaluate performance and compare CH₄ emissions from cattle of dairy and beef origin grazing two grassland ecosystems: lowland improved grassland (LG) and upland semi-natural grassland (UG). Forty-eight spring-born beef cattle (24 Holstein–Friesian steers, 14 Charolais crossbred steers and 10 Charolais crossbred heifers of 407 (s.d. 29), 469 (s.d. 36) and 422 (s.d. 50) kg BW, respectively), were distributed across two balanced groups that grazed the UG and LG sites from 1 June to 29 September at stocking rates (number of animals per hectare) of 1.4 and 6.7, respectively. Methane emissions and feed dry matter (DM) intake were estimated by the SF₆ tracer and n-alkane techniques, respectively, and BW was recorded across three experimental periods that reflected the progression of the grazing season. Overall, cattle grazed on UG had significantly lower (P<0.001) mean daily DM intake (8.68 v. 9.55 kg/day), CH₄ emissions (176 v. 202 g/day) and BW gain (BWG; 0.73 v. 1.08 kg/day) than the cattle grazed on LG but there was no difference (P>0.05) in CH₄ emissions per unit of feed intake when expressed either on a DM basis (20.7 and 21.6 g CH₄ per kg DM intake for UG and LG, respectively) or as a percentage of the gross energy intake (6.0% v. 6.5% for UG and LG, respectively). However, cattle grazing UG had significantly (P<0.001) greater mean daily CH₄ emissions than those grazing LG when expressed relative to BWG (261 v. 197 g CH₄/kg, respectively). The greater DM intake and BWG of cattle grazing LG than UG reflected the poorer nutritive value of the UG grassland. Although absolute rates of CH₄ emissions (g/day) were lower from cattle grazing UG than LG, cattle grazing UG would be expected to take longer to reach an acceptable finishing weight, thereby potentially off-setting this apparent advantage. Methane emissions constitute an adverse environmental impact of grazing by cattle but the contribution of cattle to ecosystem management (i.e. promoting biodiversity) should also be considered when evaluating the usefulness of different breeds for grazing semi-natural or unimproved grassland.     

Analysis of Grassland Vegetation of the Southwest Heilongjiang Steppe （China） Using the Power Law

In 1997, we conducted a vegetation survey in three semi-arid natural grasslands （steppes） with different livestock grazing intensities in Southwest Heilongjiang Province, China, The dominant grassland species was the grass Stipa baicalensis Roshev. Grasslands with light, intermediate, and heavy grazing intensities were located 10, 5, and 2 km from a village, respectively. Villagers use the steppe to raise cattle, horses, sheep, and goats. Each of the three grasslands was surveyed by placing 100 quadrats （50 cm×50 cm） along a 50 m line transect. Each quadrat was divided into four equal areas （25 cm×25 cm; S-quadrats） and all plant species occurring in each of these smaller areas were identified and recorded. These data were summarized into frequency distributions and the percentage of S-quadrats containing a given species and the variance of each species were estimated. The power law was applied to these estimates. The power law was used to evaluate the spatial heterogeneity and frequency of occurrence for each species in the grassland community. The lightly grazed grassland exhibited high spatial heterogeneity （caused by large plant size）, the highest species diversity, and a high occurrence of S. baicalensis. In contrast, the heavily grazed grassland exhibited high spatial heterogeneity （caused by patchy populations of small plant size）, low species diversity, and a low occurrence of S. baicalensis. We judged that the heavily grazed grassland was overgrazed and exclusion of livestock from the degraded areas is necessary for recovery.     

Spatial and temporal variation of soil moisture in dependence of multiple environmental parameters in semi-arid grasslands

Grazing of grasslands changes soil physical and chemical properties as well as vegetation characteristics, such as vegetation cover, species composition and biomass production. In consequence, nutrient allocation and water storage in the top soil are affected. Land use and management changes alter these processes. Knowledge on the impacts of grazing management on nutrient and water fluxes is necessary because of the global importance of grasslands for carbon sequestration. Soil water in semi-arid areas is a limiting factor for matter fluxes and the intrinsic interaction between soil, vegetation and atmosphere. It is therefore desirable to understand the effects of grazing management and stocking rate on the spatial and temporal distribution of soil moisture. In the present study, we address the question how spatio-temporal soil moisture distribution on grazed and ungrazed grassland sites is affected by soil and vegetation properties. The study took place in the Xilin river catchment in Inner Mongolia (PR China). It is a semi-arid steppe environment, which is characterized by still moderate grazing compared to other regions in central Inner Mongolia. However, stocking rates have locally increased and resulted in a degradation of soils and vegetation also in the upper Xilin River basin. We used a multivariate geostatistical approach to reveal spatial dependencies between soil moisture distribution and soil or vegetation parameters. Overall, 7 soil and vegetation parameters (bulk density, sand, silt and clay content, mean weight diameter, mean carbon content of the soil, vegetation cover) and 57 soil moisture data sets were recorded on 100 gridded points on four sites subject to different grazing intensities. Increasing stocking rates accelerated the influence of soil and vegetation parameters on soil moisture. However, the correlation was rather weak, except for a site with high stocking rate where higher correlations were found. Low nugget ratios indicate spatial dependency between soil or plant parameters and soil moisture on a long-term ungrazed site. However, the effect was not found for a second ungrazed site that had been excluded from grazing for a shorter period. Furthermore the most important soil and vegetation parameters for predicting soil moisture distribution varied between different grazing intensities. Therefore, predicting soil moisture by using secondary variables requires a careful selection of the soil or vegetation parameters.     

Influence of grazing management on vegetation,soil structure and nutrient distribution and the infiltration of applied rainfall in a semi-arid chenopod shrubland

The experiment utilized a fenceline contrast in vegetation and soil condition that was clearly visible on Landsat imagery. Measurements of vegetation cover, soil structure and chemistry, and infiltration were made. The greatest vegetation change was at the soil surface where the loss of litter and lichen crust cover under heavy grazing accompanied the loss of perennial shrubs. Although grazing caused changes in soil structure and chemistry to less than 10 cm in depth, these changes are quite significant for plant growth. Consistent differences in the infiltration of applied rainfall at two intensities were measured between the grazed and ungrazed sites. At both intensities of application the absence of a lichen crust increased infiltration three-fold on the heavily grazed site compared with the ungrazed site. The implications of these observations on the long-term functioning of this landscape are discussed.     

Long‐term stock grazing management in Travelling Stock Reserves and influence on conservation values

We examined the nature of long‐term grazing management implemented in 51 Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs) in the Albury region, and investigated potential relationships between grazing intensity and conservation values. In general, grazing intensities in most TSRs decreased over the 22 year study period. Most TSRs were lightly grazed (density = 1.1 DSE/ha/year), and stocked for <2 months per year, but some were much more heavily grazed. Spring grazing intensity was found to be negatively associated with TSR conservation values. Our results suggest that grazing management aims to achieve both production and conservation outcomes are not necessarily exclusive to each other.     

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.     

Responses of vegetation and soils to three grazing management regimes in a semi‐arid highland mixed crop‐livestock system

Three grazing regimes [Cut‐and‐carry (CC), seasonal grazing (SG) and continuous grazing (CG)] currently applied in Tigrai region of northern Ethiopia were compared to identify the best grazing management in key native vegetation and soil attributes. More than 50% of the desirable species such as Andropogon, Cynodon and Phalaris spp were located in the CC and SG regimes. During the rainy season, the CC regime produced 1.7 and 2.7 more biomass than the SG and CG regimes, respectively. Herbaceous basal cover was 6.8 times more in the CC than in the CG regime. During the rainy season, herbaceous species diversity and richness were the least in the CG regime but similar in the CC and SG regimes. This similarity, however, changed during the dry season when the SG regime is grazed by livestock that led to a reduction in diversity. These results suggest that CC is superior to the traditional CG, but not always necessarily superior to the SG. The SG regime improved soil P status while the CG regime affected soil bulk density and total N negatively. The predominantly native vegetation grazing systems in Tigrai region can be improved cost effectively through cut‐and‐carry and seasonal grazing.     

Natural 15N abundance in soils and plants in relation to N cycling in a rangeland in Inner Mongolia

Aims Natural 15 N abundance provides integrated information about nitrogen (N) input, transformation and output, indirectly reflecting N cycling traits within terrestrial ecosystems. However, relationships between natural 15 N abundance and N cycling processes are poorly understood in China. Here, our primary objectives were to (i) examine the effects of grazing at varying levels of intensity on δ 15 N of soils and plants in a semi-arid grassland; (ii) detect the relationships between δ 15 N of soils and four major N cycling processes (i.e. mineralization, nitrification, denitrification and ammonia volatilization); and (iii) determine whether δ 15 N of soils can be used as an indicator of N cycling in this semi-arid grassland.Methods The field experiment was conducted within the long-term (17-year) grazing enclosures in a semi-arid grassland in Inner Mongolia. Five grazing intensities (0.00, 1.33, 2.67, 4.00 and 5.33 sheep ha^-1) were designed. δ 15 N values of topsoils (0–10 cm), surface soils (0–2 cm) and plants were measured in 2006. Differences in δ 15 N of soils and plants between the five grazing intensities were examined. Rates of four soil N cycling processes were measured periodically during the 2005 and 2006 growing seasons. The δ 15 N values of topsoils were linked to the four N cycling processes to investigate their relationships.Important findings The δ 15 N values of topsoils (5.20–5.96‰) were substantially higher than the δ 15 N values of plants (2.51–2.93‰) and surface soils (1.44–2.92‰) regardless of grazing intensities. The 15 N-depleted N losses during microbial decomposition of organic matter in concert with the downward movement of residual substrate over time are the possible causes of higher δ 15 N values in topsoils than in surface soils. In addition, the δ 15 N values of topsoils were positively correlated with the δ 15 N values of both plants and surface soils. Grazing, especially the high-intensity grazing (5.33 sheep ha^-1), resulted in a significant decrease in δ 15 N of surface soils. However, no statistically significant variations in δ 15 N of topsoils and plants were found in response to grazing. The δ 15 N values of topsoils exhibited significant dependence on the cumulative rates of NH 3 volatilization, net nitrification and denitrification in 2005 but not in 2006.     

Microbial N Turnover and N-Oxide (N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O/NO/NO<Subscript>2</Subscript>) Fluxes in Semi-arid Grassland of Inner Mongolia

Gross rates of N mineralization and nitrification, and soil–atmosphere fluxes of N₂O, NO and NO₂ were measured at differently grazed and ungrazed steppe grassland sites in the Xilin river catchment, Inner Mongolia, P. R. China, during the 2004 and 2005 growing season. The experimental sites were a plot ungrazed since 1979 (UG79), a plot ungrazed since 1999 (UG99), a plot moderately grazed in winter (WG), and an overgrazed plot (OG), all in close vicinity to each other. Gross rates of N mineralization and nitrification determined at in situ soil moisture and soil temperature conditions were in a range of 0.5–4.1 mg N kg⁻¹ soil dry weight day⁻¹. In 2005, gross N turnover rates were significantly higher at the UG79 plot than at the UG99 plot, which in turn had significantly higher gross N turnover rates than the WG and OG plots. The WG and the OG plot were not significantly different in gross ammonification and in gross nitrification rates. Site differences in SOC content, bulk density and texture could explain only less than 15% of the observed site differences in gross N turnover rates. N₂O and NO _x flux rates were very low during both growing seasons. No significant differences in N trace gas fluxes were found between plots. Mean values of N₂O fluxes varied between 0.39 and 1.60 μg N₂O-N m⁻² h⁻¹, equivalent to 0.03–0.14 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹ y⁻¹, and were considerably lower than previously reported for the same region. NO _x flux rates ranged between 0.16 and 0.48 μg NO _x -N m⁻² h⁻¹, equivalent to 0.01–0.04 kg NO _x -N ha⁻¹ y⁻¹, respectively. N₂O fluxes were significantly correlated with soil temperature and soil moisture. The correlations, however, explained only less than 20% of the flux variance.     

The impact of grazing intensity on soil characteristics of Stipa grandis and Stipa bungeana steppe in northern China (autonomous region of Ningxia)

The effects of grazing intensity on selected soil characteristics in the feather-grass steppes of the autonomous region of Ningxia (northern China) were investigated by a comparison of non-grazed areas (grazing intensity 0), slightly grazed areas (grazing intensity I), moderately grazed areas (II), intensively grazed areas (III) and over-grazed areas (IV). Even in areas used only minimally for grazing activities (I), a serious increase (doubling) in soil hardness was apparent in the upper soil layer. A continual decrease in organic matter in the surface soil can be correlated directly to soil compaction. The content of organic matter in soil of degree IV amounts to only a third of the organic matter found in non-grazed areas. This decrease can be attributed partly to the poor living conditions for soil organisms in compacted soils, but also to a significant reduction in litter. This is because intensive grazing causes reduced vegetation cover leading to litter being blown away by wind or washed away by heavy rainfall. Thus in level III hardly any plant litter remained to be incorporated into the soil as humus. Likewise root density also suffered its largest decrease in areas with a grazing intensity level III. With regard to the content of nitrogen and phosphorous (total and available) hardly any difference between soils of grazing intensity 0 and I was observed, whereas a noticeable decrease was apparent between levels I and II. Available Potassium was similar for all grazing levels. The pH-value of the soil solution is not significantly affected by grazing. We did not observe differences in the soils of the two main types of steppe vegetation (Stipa grandis and Stipa bungeana steppe) in response to grazing. Only the amount of litter in the S. grandis-steppe in non-grazed or slightly grazed areas is noticeably higher than in the S. bungeana steppe.