Prediction of plant diversity under different stocking rates based on functional traits of constructive species in a desert steppe, northern China
Excessive grazing causes a decrease in plant diversity of grassland and also leads to changes in the functional traits of grassland plants. Based on the relationship between plant diversity and the functional traits of constructive species, the patterns of change in plant diversity can be predicted...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2022.865703/full |
| _version_ | 1818190060740149248 |
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| author | Jiangwen Li Jiangwen Li Bangyin He Shuangxi Zhou Xiaoxi Zhang Cai Li Guodong Han |
| author_facet | Jiangwen Li Jiangwen Li Bangyin He Shuangxi Zhou Xiaoxi Zhang Cai Li Guodong Han |
| author_sort | Jiangwen Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Excessive grazing causes a decrease in plant diversity of grassland and also leads to changes in the functional traits of grassland plants. Based on the relationship between plant diversity and the functional traits of constructive species, the patterns of change in plant diversity can be predicted based on change in plant functional traits under different stocking rates. For the present study, Stipa breviflora desert steppe in Inner Mongolia was studied to characterize the plant community and population characteristics and plant functional traits of S. breviflora in grazing areas with different stocking rates [without grazing, light grazing (LG, 0.93 sheep unit hm–2half yr–1), moderate grazing (MG, 1.82 sheep unit hm–2half yr–1), heavy grazing (HG, 2.71 sheep unit hm–2 half yr–1)]. The results showed that: (1) LG significantly weakened the competitive advantage of the constructive species (S. breviflora) (P < 0.05), while HG significantly strengthened its competitive advantage in the community (P < 0.05); (2) Changes in plant diversity were generally significantly related to changes in S. breviflora root traits. The competitive advantage of S. breviflora in the community and the change in root traits could be used to predict the change in plant diversity in the desert steppe under different stocking rates. This research can provide a theoretical basis for maintaining plant diversity and sustainability in the desert steppe. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T23:52:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c6ec184f4f534edba767c72ba235be47 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-701X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T23:52:43Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-c6ec184f4f534edba767c72ba235be472022-12-22T00:45:27ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution2296-701X2022-07-011010.3389/fevo.2022.865703865703Prediction of plant diversity under different stocking rates based on functional traits of constructive species in a desert steppe, northern ChinaJiangwen Li0Jiangwen Li1Bangyin He2Shuangxi Zhou3Xiaoxi Zhang4Cai Li5Guodong Han6Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Sciences, Yan’an University, Yan’an, ChinaKey Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Forage Cultivation, Processing and High Efficient Utilization of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Key Laboratory of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region for Grassland Management and Utilization, College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, ChinaShaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Sciences, Yan’an University, Yan’an, ChinaThe New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Auckland, New ZealandShaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Sciences, Yan’an University, Yan’an, ChinaShaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Sciences, Yan’an University, Yan’an, ChinaKey Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Forage Cultivation, Processing and High Efficient Utilization of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Key Laboratory of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region for Grassland Management and Utilization, College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, ChinaExcessive grazing causes a decrease in plant diversity of grassland and also leads to changes in the functional traits of grassland plants. Based on the relationship between plant diversity and the functional traits of constructive species, the patterns of change in plant diversity can be predicted based on change in plant functional traits under different stocking rates. For the present study, Stipa breviflora desert steppe in Inner Mongolia was studied to characterize the plant community and population characteristics and plant functional traits of S. breviflora in grazing areas with different stocking rates [without grazing, light grazing (LG, 0.93 sheep unit hm–2half yr–1), moderate grazing (MG, 1.82 sheep unit hm–2half yr–1), heavy grazing (HG, 2.71 sheep unit hm–2 half yr–1)]. The results showed that: (1) LG significantly weakened the competitive advantage of the constructive species (S. breviflora) (P < 0.05), while HG significantly strengthened its competitive advantage in the community (P < 0.05); (2) Changes in plant diversity were generally significantly related to changes in S. breviflora root traits. The competitive advantage of S. breviflora in the community and the change in root traits could be used to predict the change in plant diversity in the desert steppe under different stocking rates. This research can provide a theoretical basis for maintaining plant diversity and sustainability in the desert steppe.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2022.865703/fullplant functional traitsplant diversitydesert steppeStipa brevifloragrazing |
| spellingShingle | Jiangwen Li Jiangwen Li Bangyin He Shuangxi Zhou Xiaoxi Zhang Cai Li Guodong Han Prediction of plant diversity under different stocking rates based on functional traits of constructive species in a desert steppe, northern China Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution plant functional traits plant diversity desert steppe Stipa breviflora grazing |
| title | Prediction of plant diversity under different stocking rates based on functional traits of constructive species in a desert steppe, northern China |
| title_full | Prediction of plant diversity under different stocking rates based on functional traits of constructive species in a desert steppe, northern China |
| title_fullStr | Prediction of plant diversity under different stocking rates based on functional traits of constructive species in a desert steppe, northern China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prediction of plant diversity under different stocking rates based on functional traits of constructive species in a desert steppe, northern China |
| title_short | Prediction of plant diversity under different stocking rates based on functional traits of constructive species in a desert steppe, northern China |
| title_sort | prediction of plant diversity under different stocking rates based on functional traits of constructive species in a desert steppe northern china |
| topic | plant functional traits plant diversity desert steppe Stipa breviflora grazing |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2022.865703/full |
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