内蒙古典型草原区3种不同草地利用模式下植物功能群及其多样性的变化

以呼伦贝尔草原辉河国家级自然保护区草原群落为研究对象, 选取3块生境条件基本相同的样地(250 m × 250 m) ——放牧场、割草场及公共草场, 每块样地设置3条样带, 每条样带上设置8个样方(1 m × 1 m), 研究了不同草地利用模式下草原群落的物种组成、生物多样性及群落的功能群特征。结果表明: 在放牧场、割草场和公共草场3种不同利用模式下, 植物功能群结构及其多样性发生了变化。灌木、半灌木的累积优势度在各利用模式间差异显著( p< 0.05), 在割草场中最高; 多年生禾草的累积优势度在各利用模式间差异显著(p< 0.05); 一、二年生草本的累积优势度在各利用模式间差异显著(p< 0.05)。旱生植物功能群在公共草场中所占比例最高, 为50%; 中旱生植物在割草场中的百分比最低, 为19%, 且在各利用模式间差异显著(p< 0.05); 各利用模式下, 灌木、半灌木功能群生物量均较低; 随着割草场、公共草场及放牧场3种草地利用模式下利用强度的增加, 多年生禾草和多年生杂类草两大功能群的生物量递减, 而一、二年生草本功能群生物量递增。草地利用强度的增加, 使得草地植物群落结构简单、脆弱。丰富度指数和多样性指数在放牧场最低, 在割草场最高; 均匀度变化并不明显。割草场利用模式有助于改善草原的健康状况, 而放牧场及公共草场利用模式均存在不同程度的过度放牧现象, 尤其是公共草场利用模式由于所有权不明确而缺乏有效的管理, 导致草原退化明显。     

山西植物功能型划分及其空间格局

随着全球气候变化的加剧,作为沟通陆地生态系统与气候变化的桥梁,植物功能型(Plant Functional Types,PFTs)越来越受到生态学家的关注。PFTs不仅是简化生态系统复杂性的有效工具,而且可将植物的生理生态过程、生物物理特征及物候变化等引入到动态植被模型中,研究气候变化下的植被反应及其反馈机制。为了在区域尺度上研究气候变化和植被反应,基于"生态-外貌"原则,依据植物特征(如生长型、叶的性状)及其对水分、温度的需求,结合区域的气候与地理条件,对山西植被进行植物功能型的划分,并在此基础上对其空间格局进行分析。结果表明:(1)山西植被可划分为19类植物功能型(其中包括4类栽培作物功能型),分别是:寒温性常绿针叶林、温性常绿针叶林、寒温性落叶针叶林、温性落叶阔叶林、高寒落叶灌丛、温性落叶灌丛、多年生禾草草原、多年生禾草草丛、多年生禾草草甸、多年生莎草草甸、多年生杂类草草原、多年生杂类草草丛、多年生杂类草草甸。1年生杂类草草甸、多年生豆科草原、果树、一年一熟栽培作物、一年二熟栽培作物和二年三熟栽培作物。植物功能型的划分和分布与山西植被区划有较好的一致性,基本反映了植物固有特征及其对水热条件的需求。(2)农作物在山西占有较大比重,占植被类型面积的53.15%,森林类型以温性常绿针叶林和温性落叶阔叶林为主,灌丛类型以温性落叶灌丛为主,草本类型中多年生禾草草丛占较大比例,占草本类型面积的50.98%。(3)由于水热条件及地理条件的差异,植物功能型(不考虑栽培作物)在各区域表现出较大差异,如多年生杂类草草原主要分布于北部地区,在南部并不存在这种植物功能型;森林类型的功能型主要分布于中、南部地区,且结构复杂、类型多样。(4)除栽培作物表现出较好的整体性和连通性,其他植物功能型均表现出不同程度的破碎化和离散化。(5)山西植物功能型整体上表现出较高的多样性,其中中部地区比其他地区的多样性和破碎化程度高,斑块类型更加趋向于离散的小斑块状,北部地区则以一年一熟栽培作物占明显优势,表现出较强的优势度,而南部地区并没有表现出很强的破碎度或优势度。     

Occurrence and distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species in three types of grassland community of the Tibetan Plateau

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal spore communities and distribution patterns were surveyed in montane scrub grassland, alpine steppe, and alpine meadow sites at altitudes ranging from 3,500 to 5,200 m a.s.l. on the Tibetan Plateau. Thirty-two representative soil samples were collected from the root zone of the dominant and common plant species in late May 2004. Twenty-three AM fungal species representing six genera (Acaulospora, Entrophospora, Glomus, Pacispora, Paraglomus, and Scutellospora) were detected and species richness varied from 5.3 ± 0.8 to 10.5 ± 2.5 per site. Some AM fungal species were restricted to one vegetation type and Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices, and Scutellospora calospora were detected in all three vegetation types. Glomus species were found to be the most frequent and abundant in all three vegetation types. Acaulospora occurred mostly in the alpine steppe and alpine meadow. Scutellospora occurred mostly in montane scrub grassland. At the species level, Glomus mosseae was dominant in the montane scrub, Acaulospora laevis and Pacispora scintillans were dominant in the alpine steppe, and Acaulospora laevis, Pacispora scintillans, and Glomus claroideum dominated the alpine meadow. It was evident from the distribution pattern of AM fungi in the different vegetation types that the abundance and diversity of AM fungal species were lowest in the montane scrub grassland than the other two plant communities. Climatic conditions, especially temperatures, and intensity of land use may be the most important factors influencing the AM fungal community.     

锡林河河漫滩草甸群落的结构与生产力及其排序

 锡林河河漫滩主要草甸群落的植物组成、群落构成规律、地上植物量、群落间生态关系的研究表明：1)踏头草甸以中间型荸荠(Eleocharis intersita)、无脉苔草(Carex enervis)、巨序剪股颖(Agrostis gigantea)和湿中生杂类草共同建群,其地上植物量为445.64gDM·m-2,是该区草原群落的2—4倍;密花凤毛菊(Saussurea acuminata)杂类草草甸的地上植物量为3584.50gFM·m-2(鲜重);马蔺(Iris lactea)杂类草草甸的地上现存量为1444.02gFM·m-2(鲜重)。2)与该区草原群落相比,草甸群落或没有单种建群植物,或单种建群植物的作用不很突出。说明了草甸优越的生境可满足多种植物共同充分生长。3)河漫滩不同草甸群落的排序表明：在积水生境中沼泽植被的外围、较为湿润的地段上分布着以莎草科植物为主的莎草(苔草)草甸;中度湿润的地段分布着以禾本科植物为主的禾草草甸;而相对较干的地段分布着以双子叶植物为主的杂类草草甸。     

Plant Functional Diversity and Species Diversity in the Mongolian Steppe

Background

The Mongolian steppe is one of the most important grasslands in the world but suffers from aridization and damage from anthropogenic activities. Understanding structure and function of this community is important for the ecological conservation, but has seldom been investigated.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this study, a total of 324 quadrats located on the three main types of Mongolian steppes were surveyed. Early-season perennial forbs (37% of total importance value), late-season annual forbs (33%) and late-season perennial forbs (44%) were dominant in meadow, typical and desert steppes, respectively. Species richness, diversity and plant functional type (PFT) richness decreased from the meadow, via typical to desert steppes, but evenness increased; PFT diversity in the desert and meadow steppes was higher than that in typical steppe. However, above-ground net primary productivity (ANPP) was far lower in desert steppe than in the other two steppes. In addition, the slope of the relationship between species richness and PFT richness increased from the meadow, via typical to desert steppes. Similarly, with an increase in species diversity, PFT diversity increased more quickly in both the desert and typical steppes than that in meadow steppe. Random resampling suggested that this coordination was partly due to a sampling effect of diversity.

Conclusions/Significance

These results indicate that desert steppe should be strictly protected because of its limited functional redundancy, which its ecological functioning is sensitive to species loss. In contrast, despite high potential forage production shared by the meadow and typical steppes, management of these two types of steppes should be different: meadow steppe should be preserved due to its higher conservation value characterized by more species redundancy and higher spatial heterogeneity, while typical steppe could be utilized moderately because its dominant grass genus Stipa is resistant to herbivory and drought.     

Effects of a winter wildfire on plant community structure and forage quality in subalpine grassland of western Sichuan,China

火是继土壤、水分、温度之后, 塑造地表植被的主要力量。该文以2010年“12·5”冬草场火烧事件为背景, 通过对比川西亚高山草地火烧区域和未火烧区域火后第一年植被群落结构和牧草质量, 探讨亚高山草地植被对冬季火烧的响应机制。通过物种多样性分析、双向指示种分析(TWINSPAN)和干重等级法(dry-weight-rank)分析发现, 冬季火烧未改变植被的生物多样性、均匀度和物种丰富度, 却改变了植被群落结构的物种组成。冬季火烧导致一年生禾草、一年生杂草、灌木等3种生活型植物的数量和生物量增加; 多年生杂草数量减少, 生物量增加; 多年生禾草数量和生物量减少。冬季火烧也极大地减少了可食禾草的比例, 增加了各种杂草的生物量比例。此次火烧事件降低了细柄草(Capillipedium parviflorum)和早熟禾(Poa sp.)等可食禾草的竞争能力, 增加了一些杂草(如火绒草(Leontopodium leontopodioides)、白莲蒿(Artemisia sacrorum)、草玉梅(Anemone rivularis)等)在资源竞争中的相对优势, 最终表现为火后牧草的可食性下降。     

Succession and fluctuation in Artemisia dominated grassland

Vegetation dynamics were studied from 1940 to 1978 in two grazed pastures and associated exclosures in sand sagebrush (Artemisia filifolia) dominated grassland, western Oklahoma, USA. In both pastures and one exclosure, pattern of vegetation change reflected fluctuation rather than succession. In the other exclosure, the grassland exhibited a directional change from annual grasses and forbs to dominance by perennial grasses. Rate of change was consistent during the 39 year period. Cover of grasses increased more in grazed than ungrazed areas. Grass cover was negatively correlated with high air temperatures early in the growing season. Forb cover remained relatively constant over time and shrub cover peaked during the 1960s. Abundance of annuals and cool season species was positively correlated with rainfall early in the growing season.Species diversity and richness were lowest in the ungrazed areas, as a result of increased dominance by perennial grasses such as Schizachyrium scoparium. In pastures and exclosures, richness was positively correlated with growing season precipitation. Cover of the common species differed among sample areas within years and fluctuated between years. Few general patterns emerged from correlations of environmental variables with cover of individual species. In general, vegetation dynamics in these sand sagebrush grasslands reflect a tradeoff in that total cover changes little over time because the loss of some species is compensated for by increased growth of others. Such trade-offs reflect the individualistic response of the component species within each pasture or exclosure. Although changes in growth form composition were related to climatic fluctuation, broad-scale climatic variables could not successfully predict small-scale patterns of change by individual species over time.     

陇东黄土高原丘陵沟壑区天然草地植物多样性研究

以陇东黄土高原丘陵沟壑区天然草地30个植被样点的样方资料为依据,以相对生物量为指标,对该地区群落植物多样性进行了研究。结果表明,该地区天然草地可划分为长芒草草原、次生杂类草草原和杂类草草甸草原3个植被类型,16个群落按放牧程度分为禁牧草地、轻牧草地和过牧草地3个层次。多样性指数显示草甸草原>长芒草草原>次生杂类草草原,轻牧草地>禁牧草地>过牧草地的趋势。放牧程度可能是影响该区域天然草地植物多样性的关键因素,出现海拔增高和降水增加多样性指数降低的趋势可能是放牧干扰的结果。相关性分析显示物种的Shannon-wiener和Simpson多样性指数与Shannon和Simpson均匀度指数间均呈显著正相关,而与生物量之间呈显著负相关。     

Burrowing activities of kangaroo rats and patterns in plant species dominance at a shortgrass steppe-desert grassland ecotone

Abstract. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of burrowing activities by banner-tail kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spectabilis Merriam) on plant community structure and species dominance for two patch types at the ecotone between shortgrass steppe and desert grassland in New Mexico, USA. 10 mounds produced by kangaroo rats were selected in patches dominated by Bouteloua gracilis (the dominant in shortgrass steppe communities) and 10 mounds were selected in patches dominated by B. eriopoda (the dominant in Chihuahuan desert grasslands). Plant cover and density by species were sampled from three locations associated with each mound: the mound proper, the edge of the mound in the transition area, and the off-mound vegetation. Similar cover of B. eriopoda for the edges of mounds in both patch types indicates the ability of this species to respond to animal disturbances regardless of the amount of cover in the surrounding undisturbed vegetation. By contrast, cover of B. gracilis was low for all mounds and mound edges in patches dominated by this species. Much higher cover of B. eriopoda on mound edges compared to the undisturbed vegetation in B. gracilis-dominated patches indicates that kangaroo rats have important positive effects on this species. Lower cover of perennial grasses and higher cover of forbs, shrubs, and succulents on the edges of mounds in B. eriopoda-dominated patches compared to patches dominated by B. gracilis indicate the importance of surrounding vegetation to plant responses on disturbed areas. Our results show that kangaroo rats have important effects on both species dominance and composition for different patch types, and may provide a mechanism for small-scale dominance patterns at an ecotone; thus providing further support for their role as keystone species in desert grasslands.     

青藏高原高寒草地AM真菌分布及其对近自然恢复的生态作用

超载过牧以及全球气候变化等导致大部分青藏高原高寒草地呈现持续退化态势。青藏高原高寒草地退化致使地上植物群落逐渐发生更替,地下土壤微生物群落多样性和丰富度发生改变。本文旨在探析青藏高原高寒草地丛枝菌根（arbuscular mycorrhizal,AM）真菌的分布特征、对近自然恢复的生理生态效应及其作用机制。青藏高原高寒草地中已报道4目14属61种AM真菌,约占已知AM真菌物种的20%。高寒草地禾本科植物根围AM真菌物种丰度最高,而莎草科植物根围AM真菌孢子密度最高。3种高寒草地植被类型中,高寒草原AM真菌丰度最高（33种）,山地灌丛草原次之（32种）,高寒草甸最低（22种）。高寒草原以光壁无梗囊霉Acaulospora laevis和闪亮和平囊霉Pacispora scintillans为优势种,山地灌丛草原以摩西斗管囊霉Funneliformis mosseae为优势种,高寒草甸以光壁无梗囊霉A. laevis、近明球囊霉Claroideoglomus claroideum和闪亮和平囊霉P. scintillans为优势种。高寒草地土著AM真菌与植物构建的菌根网络可以通过调节营养元素吸收、分配,促进植物建植和生长;但是毒杂草入侵可以改变土著AM真菌物种多样性和菌根网络,限制本地植被的实际生态位扩张。退化高寒草地中,AM真菌群落具有高的环境适应性和恢复力,其不仅调控地上植物群落建植和多样性,同时AM真菌建植也增加了代谢产物-球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白产生,进而协同改善地下土壤微生态系统,为退化高寒草地早期植被恢复塑造土壤生境。因此,AM真菌在退化高寒草地近自然恢复中具有较大的应用潜力。     

Post-pastoral changes in composition and guilds in a semi-arid conservation area, Central Otago, New Zealand

Changes in the vegetation of Flat Top Hill, a highly modified conservation area in semi;arid Central Otago, New Zealand, are described four years after the cessation of sheep and rabbit grazing. Unusually moist weather conditions coincide with the four-year period of change in response to the cessation of grazing. Between 1993 and 1997, the average richness and diversity (H') of species increased, and the average proportion of native species decreased significantly. The vegetation was significantly richer in exotic annual and perennial grass species, exotic perennial forbs, exotic woody species and native tussock grasses in 1997 than in 1993. Eight response guilds of species are identified. Most "remnant" native shrubs and forbs were stable, in that they remained restricted to local refugia and showed little change in local frequency. However, taller native grass species increased, some locally, and others over wide environmental ranges. Rare native annual forbs and several native perennial species from "induced" xeric communities decreased, and this may be a consequence of competition from exotic perennial grasses in the absence of grazing. The invasive exotic herb Sedum acre decreased in abundance between 1993 and 1997, but several other prominent exotic species increased substantially in range and local frequency over a wide range of sites. Exotic woody species, and dense, sward-forming grasses are identified as potential threats to native vegetation recovery.     

Disturbance: a double-edged sword for restoration in a changing climate

Ecological restoration often relies on disturbance as a tool for establishing target plant communities, but disturbance can be a double-edged sword, at times initiating invasion and unintended outcomes. Here we test how fire disturbance, designed to enhance restoration seeding success, combines with climate and initial vegetation conditions to shift perennial versus annual grass dominance and overall community diversity in Pacific Northwest grasslands. We seeded both native and introduced perennial grasses and native forbs in paired, replicated burned-unburned plots in three sites along a latitudinal climate gradient from southern Oregon to central-western Washington. Past restoration and climate manipulations at each site had increased the variation of starting conditions between plots. Burning promoted the expansion of extant forbs and perennial grasses across all sites. Burning also enhanced the seeding success of native perennial grass and native forbs at the northern and central site, and the success of introduced perennial grasses across all three sites. Annual grass dominance was driven more by latitude than burning, with annuals maintaining their dominance in the south and perennials in the north. At the same time, unrestored grasslands surrounding all sites remained dominated by perennial grasses, suggesting that initial plot clearing may have allowed for annual grass invasion in the southern site. When paired with disturbance, further warming may increase the risk of annual grass dominance, a potentially persistent state.     

西藏阿里植物群落的间接梯度分析、数量分类与环境解释

根据对西藏阿里地区163个植物群落样地资料进行的多元分析——排序、数量分类与环境解释,给出了该地区植被的基本类型、生态梯度及其与环境因子的定量关系。基本分析方法包括3个步骤：1)通过无倾向对应分析(DCA)的两个排序向量揭示了阿里植被的两个主要生态梯度;2)由该梯度的二维散点图及二元指示种分析(TWINSPAN)分别产生非等级制与等级制的植物群落分类系统;3)以多元回归分析将排序值与环境及地理参数相联系而给出各类型的环境指标——定量环境解释。分析表明,阿里植被类型及其分布主要取决于热量与湿度梯度,前者可通过地理参数,后者则通过土壤特征的数学表达式来定量地确定。两梯度包含的类型、种类与生境差异颇大,由低山暖性荒漠直到高山冰缘植被,从隐带性沼泽与盐生草甸到高原地带性荒漠与草原均各得其位,各有其值。表明该数量分析法对于处理高度生态多样性的植物群落生态信息是十分有效的。     

The effect of land management on plant community composition, species diversity, and productivity of alpine Kobersia steppe meadow

Grassland degradation is widespread and severe on the Tibet Plateau. To explore management approaches for sustainable development of degraded and restored ecosystems, we studied the effect of land degradation on species composition, species diversity, and vegetation productivity, and examined the relative influence of various rehabilitation practices (two seeding treatments and a non-seeded natural recovery treatment) on community structure and vegetation productivity in early secondary succession. The results showed: (1) All sedge and grass species of the natural steppe meadow had disappeared from the severely degraded land. The above-ground and root biomass of severely degraded land were only 38 and 14.7%, respectively, of those of the control. So, the original ecosystem has been dramatically altered by land degradation on alpine steppe meadow. (2) Seeding measures may promote above-ground biomass, particularly grass biomass, and ground cover. Except for the grasses seeded, however, other grass and sedge species did not occur after seeding treatments in the sixth year of seeding. Establishment of grasses during natural recovery treatment progressed slowly compared with during seeding treatments. Many annual forbs invaded and established during the 6 years of natural recovery. In addition, there was greater diversity after natural recovery treatment than after seeding treatments. (3) The above-ground biomass after seeding treatment and natural recovery treatment were 114 and 55%, respectively, of that of the control. No significant differences in root biomass occurred among the natural recovery and seeded treatments. Root biomass after rehabilitation treatment was 23–31% that of the control.     

放牧和模拟增温对藏北高寒草地植物群落特征及生产力的影响

气候变化和放牧活动对草地植物物种多样性和生产力具有重要影响。为探索藏北高寒草地植物物种多样性和生产力对增温、放牧及其交互作用的响应, 于2011年在藏北高原开始建立增温实验平台, 2016年起增设放牧、增温+放牧实验, 连续2年(2016-2017年)观测了植物群落特征、群落组成、生产力和物种多样性。结果表明, 增温和放牧对高寒草地植物高度和净初级生产力具有显著交互作用。在放牧条件下, 增温对植物高度无显著影响; 但在不放牧条件下, 增温却显著增加了植物高度。在放牧条件下, 增温对净初级生产力的影响存在年际差异, 2016年增温对生产力无显著影响, 2017年增温显著降低了植物净初级生产力; 但在不放牧条件下, 增温对植物净初级生产力无显著影响。增温和放牧对高寒草地植物物种丰富度、盖度、重要值及多样性均无显著交互作用。植物盖度在增温和放牧条件下显著降低, 杂类草物种比例显著增加, 但物种多样性均无显著变化。研究表明, 增温和放牧显著改变高寒草地群落结构。未来气候变化条件下, 放牧活动加剧有可能导致高寒草地生产力降低。     

Plant Community Recovery Following Restoration in Semiarid Grasslands

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is an extensive land use in the United States, which restores cultivated land to perennial vegetation through seeding. Low precipitation and high potential evapotranspiration are major limitations to the establishment and growth of seeded species in semiarid regions. We tested the rate of development of plant functional types across a chronosequence of restored fields using a model of plant succession. We also determined how the seeding of non‐native (introduced) relative to native perennial grasses influenced plant community recovery. In contrast to the native shortgrass steppe (SGS), recently seeded CRP fields had high cover of annuals, forbs, C₃, and introduced species. The seed mix determined which perennial grasses dominated the plant community within 18 years, but slow establishment prolonged early seral stages, allowed for the spread of colonizing perennial grasses, and limited recovery to less than half the canopy cover of undisturbed shortrass steppe. Species density declined in restored fields as seeded perennial grass cover increased and was lower in CRP fields seeded with introduced compared to native perennial grasses. Plant community composition transitioned to C₄ and native species, even if fields were not seeded with these species, and was modified by shifts in the amount and seasonality of precipitation. Thus, in semiarid CRP fields, we found that the potential for recovery depended on time since CRP enrollment, seed mix, and climatic variability. Full recovery, based on similarity to vegetation cover and composition of undisturbed SGS, requires greater than 20 years.     

Reintroduction of large herbivores restored plant species richness in abandoned dry temperate grassland

Naturalistic grazing by large herbivores is an increasingly practiced way of managing habitats with conservational value. It has the potential to restore and enhance biodiversity, creating self-sustainable environments vital for organisms requiring regular disturbances to moderate and/or reverse successional changes. European bison, Exmoor pony, and Tauros cattle were introduced in 2015 to a former military training area in Milovice, Czech Republic. The prevailing vegetation type is a forest-steppe savanna with Bromus erectus-dominated xeric grasslands mixed with deciduous shrubs and trees. After the cessation of military use, the area was abandoned which led to successional changes, including the dominance of tall grasses, litter accumulation, and bush encroachment. In 2017–2021, we monitored grassland vegetation in 30 grazed permanent plots (2?×?2 m) and 5 control plots representative of ungrazed, abandoned vegetation adjacent to the grazed areas. Naturalistic grazing increased species richness and the cover of forbs, while the cover of grasses and legumes was minimally affected. Grazing increased functional diversity of plant community, promoted a compositional change to small statured species and an increased incidence of red-list species. Seven years of continuous grazing increased the conservation value of this forest-steppe vegetation, a habitat type rapidly declining in Europe.

     

氮沉降对荒漠化草原草本植物物种多样性和群落组成的影响

采用野外条件下人工外源施加氮素模拟氮沉降的方式,设置了0、6、12和24g.m-2 4个纯氮素投加水平,在试验第一年(2007年)将不同水平的氮素随机投加到样方中,随后两年(2008～2009年)不再继续投加,研究氮沉降对荒漠化草原草本植物物种多样性和群落物种组成的影响。结果表明:植物物种丰富度和多度在年内均随着氮素投加水平的增大而降低,且物种多度比丰富度的降低程度更大;植物物种丰富度和多度年际间的变化则表现为低氮水平下差异显著(P<0.05),高氮水平下差异不显著的规律(P>0.05)。氮沉降改变了草本层片植物群落的物种组成,相对于多年生禾本科植物,多年生非禾本科植物在氮素处理下消失的概率更大。可见,氮沉降会降低荒漠化草原草本植物的物种多样性,改变草本植物群落的物种组成,且对荒漠化草原草本植物群落的影响是一个长期的过程。     

氮素添加对内蒙古退化草原生产力的短期影响

不合理的土地利用方式以及气候变化导致我国草原生态系统普遍退化, 主要表现在土壤养分降低、植被覆盖度减少、生产力下降。外源氮素添加是促进退化草原尽快恢复的一项重要措施, 尤其是对那些退化较为严重的草原。该研究选取内蒙古东乌珠穆沁旗不同退化程度(轻度、中度和重度)的草原群落, 于2014-2015年开展连续两年的氮素添加实验, 设置对照(不添加)、低水平(5.0 g N·m^-2·a^-1)、中水平(10.0 g N·m^-2·a^-1)和高水平(20.0 g N·m^-2·a^-1) 4种氮素添加处理, 探讨退化草原群落生产力在恢复过程中对不同水平氮素添加的响应。结果显示: (1)高、中水平氮素添加显著提高了轻度退化群落的地上生物量, 分别比对照增加了53.1%、51.6%, 氮素各水平添加对中度、重度群落地上生物量无显著影响; (2)高、中水平氮素添加显著提高了轻度退化群落中多年生根茎型禾草地上生物量, 分别比对照增加了45.1%、47.7%, 而多年生杂类草地上生物量分别比对照减少了37.4%、42.1%, 但中度和重度退化群落各功能群生物量的响应不显著; (3)三种水平氮素添加对轻、中、重度退化群落物种丰富度在试验期间均没有显著影响。研究结果表明氮素添加有助于提高轻度退化草原中多年生根茎型禾草的生物量, 进而提高群落的生物量, 但多年生杂类草会被逐渐替代, 导致生物量降低, 可见施氮对草原恢复的影响取决于草原退化 程度。