Author(s): Youming Qiao; Xilai Li; Luitgard Schwendenmann; Gary Brierley; Zhonghua Duan
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Community structure; Diversity; Indicator Species Analysis; Multi-Response permutation procedure (MRPP); Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Abstract: This study investigates the plant community structure and soil carbon and nutrient content in Kobresia meadows atop the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Three degrees of degradation of native alpine meadow and a seeded (ploughed) pasture which was established on a heavily degraded meadow were studied using standard plant ecological methods. Degradation was characterized by a shift in species composition from a Kobresia-dominated to a forb-dominated community. Live vegetation covers was reduced by 40% and vegetation height by 80% from a lightly degraded meadow to a heavily degraded meadow. The total aboveground phytomass in the three communities were similar (P>0. 05), but aboveground phytomass of sedges, graminoides, and forbs was different among lightly, moderately and heavily degraded meadows (P 0. 05) compared to the other meadow types. At 10-20 cm, C and N concentration and soil C stocks in the seeded pasture were significantly lower than in the other meadow types. Total carbon stocks (0-30 cm) were lowest in the seeded pasture most likely as a result of ploughing. In light of these findings, ploughing is not a recommended treatment for meadow rehabilitation.
Year: 2013