It is well known that biodiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) guarantee the well-being of human society. Most studies have focused on the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function, and less is known about the individual and combined effects of above- and below-ground biodiversity on ecosystem multifunctionality under grazing disturbance. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between plant and soil microbial (bacterial and fungal) diversity and ecosystem multifunctionality under grazing disturbance by using multiple methods to assess ecosystem multifunctionality. We conducted experiments in desert grasslands on the northern slopes of the Tian Shan Mountains and compared the relationship between ecosystem multifunctionality and biodiversity assessed by different methods under light grazing and heavy grazing. Our results showed that at the heavy grazing level, ecosystem multifunctionality calculated by the mean method and plant diversity, soil fungal diversity, soil bacterial diversity and soil fertility calculated by the single function method showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05), but grass productivity was significantly increased (p < 0.05). Among them, ecosystem multifunctionality, soil carbon storage function and soil fertility all showed significant positive correlations with plant diversity and soil microbial diversity (p < 0.05). We calculated that ecosystem multifunctionality also essentially showed positive correlation with plant diversity and soil microbial diversity using the multi-threshold method, and the effect curve was approximately a single-peaked curve, first increasing and then decreasing. Finally, we used plant diversity, soil fungal diversity and soil bacterial diversity under grazing disturbance as biotic factors and soil pH as an abiotic factor to construct structural equation models, and we found that grazing can have direct effects on ecosystem multifunctionality and indirect effects on ecosystem multifunctionality through above- and below-ground biodiversity. Our study emphasizes the importance of the combination of above- and below-ground biodiversity in maintaining the multifunctionality of desert grassland ecosystems on the northern slopes of the Tian Shan Mountains. A moderate reduction in grazing intensity can better conserve biodiversity and improve ecosystem multifunctionality, and it is a feasible strategy to maintain sustainable management of desert grasslands.

Ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) plays an irreplaceable role in maintaining ecological balance and ensuring human survival and development. However, few studies have focused on the effects of different grazing intensities on EMF, and little is known about the changes in the function of multiple ecosystems at different grazing intensities. The paper uses research methods such as plant community survey and high-throughput sequencing technology to study the grassland EMF on the northern slope of Tianshan Mountains in China. We use the mean value method to calculate the EMF and explore the effects of no grazing (CK), light grazing (LG) and heavy grazing (HG) on grassland EMF. Results showed that HG significantly improved moisture regulation (MR) function (p < 0.05), and decreased soil fertility (SF) (p > 0.05), soil carbon storage (SCS) (p > 0.05), nutrient conversion and cycling (NC) (p > 0.05), grassland productivity (GP) function (p < 0.05) and EMF (p < 0.05). The EMF index of the grassland ecosystem under grazing conditions ranges from 0.3328–0.6018. GP, SCS and NC functions have the highest contribution to EMF under CK, LG and HG conditions, respectively. Under grazing conditions, EMF showed a cooperative relationship with SF, SCS and GP, and the correlation coefficient (r) value was between 0.62–0.76 (P < 0.05). At the same time, EMF and grassland water MR showed a trade-offs relationship (r = 0.68, P < 0.05). The results of structural equation models showed that grazing have a significant effect on EMF directly, and indirectly through soil fungal diversity. Therefore, reasonable reduction of grazing intensity is the most effective management approach to maintain ecosystem function. At the same time, grazing plays a key role in maintaining EMF by regulating both above- and below-ground ecosystem functions, primarily through soil fungal diversity. This study sheds light on the EMF response to grazing intensity in montane grasslands, and provides a theoretical basis for restoring degraded grasslands and sustainable ecosystem development.

This study aims to provide information and theoretical support for the development planning of facility agriculture in desert areas. Using sensor monitoring, USB cable, and computer connection record, we measured the temperature, humidity, and heat transfer distribution of ordinary brick wall greenhouse (G1), composite wall greenhouse (G2), and assembled solar greenhouse (G3) in the Aksu desert area of Xinjiang. The results showed that G3 had the highest average temperature among the three types of greenhouses in the cold season; no difference was detected between G1 and G2 in the night temperature, while G3 has the characteristics of fast heating and cooling. On a sunny day, the heating rate of G1, G2, and G3 is 3.62, 4.4, and 4.77 °C/h, respectively. The cooling rate for G1 is 2.66 °C/h; 2.96 °C/h for G2; and 3.93 °C/h for G3. The heating rate for each greenhouse is nearly identical when it is cloudy outside, and the cooling rate of G1, G2, and G3 is 2.71, 4.2, and 4.34 °C/h, respectively. Moreover, the G3 north wall’s thermal insulation performance has clear advantages. Its wall surface can reach a temperature of 59.1 °C (G1 is 42.7 °C and G2 is 41.6 °C). This study showed that G3 possesses the virtues of effective thermal insulation; the rear wall has a small footprint and preserves the arable land; it also achieves the necessary environmental conditions for crop growth without the use of auxiliary heating.