Effects of vegetation patchiness on ecosystem carbon and nitrogen storage in the alpine grassland of the Qilian Mountains

Abalori, Theophilus Atio; Cao, Wenxia; Weobong, Conrad Atogi-Akwoa; Sam, Faisal Eudes; Li, Wen; Osei, Richard; Wang, Shilin

doi:10.3389/fenvs.2022.879717

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 84 publications

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“…For example, Abalori et al. (2022) indicated that the morphological traits of plants are most likely the primary cause of the variances in soil C and N storage and distribution among patches. Therefore, the formation of herbaceous patches may impair the C sequestration capacity of grassland ecosystems, which varies according to the dominant species in the patches.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is possibly associated with variances in patch structure and the identity of their dominant species. For example,Abalori et al (2022) indicated that the morphological traits of plants are most likely the primary cause of the variances in soil C and N storage and distribution among patches. Therefore, the formation of herbaceous patches may impair the C sequestration capacity of grassland ecosystems, which varies according to the dominant species in the patches.5 | CON CLUS IONSAt the alpine meadow site of the present study, compared to the control, the L. secalinus, K. humilis, Leo.…”

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Reduced plant species diversity and soil carbon and nitrogen contents driven by vegetation patchiness in alpine meadows

Xi,

Hu,

Mou

et al. 2024

J Vegetation Science

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QuestionPatchiness of herbaceous species is a common feature of degraded alpine grasslands on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau; however, the impact of this phenomenon on vegetation, soil seed bank (SSB), and soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) is largely unknown. We asked how different herbaceous patches affect above‐ground vegetation, the SSB and soil organic C (SOC) and total N (TN) contents in alpine meadows.LocationAn alpine meadow on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, China.MethodsWe used field and greenhouse experiments to evaluate above‐ground vegetation parameters, the SSB composition, and SOC and TN contents of four commonly distributed herbaceous patches (Leymus secalinus, Kobresia humilis, Leontopodium nanum and Pedicularis kansuensis) and non‐patch vegetation (control).ResultsThere were significant differences in the species composition of above‐ground vegetation, with the plant species richness, Shannon–Wiener index, Simpson index, and Pielou evenness index reduced in the four patches compared to the control. In addition, patches had increased above‐ground biomass (AGB) and a lower below‐ground biomass to above‐ground biomass ratio (BGB:AGB); while the species diversity indices did not change considerably among the patches. The species composition of the SSB in the four patches differed from that in the control and the seed density increased markedly, but the species richness and diversity of the SSB remained unaltered. Moreover, the contents of SOC, total C, TN, microbial biomass C, and microbial biomass N in the four patches were markedly lower than in the control.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that patchiness of herbaceous species can alter the flora composition of alpine meadows and reduce plant species diversity, as well as the SOC and TN contents, which will adversely impact grassland biodiversity conservation and soil C sequestration, and then may intensify the degradation of alpine meadows on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Reduced plant species diversity and soil carbon and nitrogen contents driven by vegetation patchiness in alpine meadows

Xi,

Hu,

Mou

et al. 2024

J Vegetation Science

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Different responses of spatial heterogeneity of grassland vegetation to grazing intensity in northern China

Kang,

Yan,

et al. 2024

Chin. Sci. Bull.

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Artemisia smithii patches form fertile islands and lead to heterogeneity of soil bacteria and fungi within and around the patches in alpine meadows of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Yang,

Yu,

Song

et al. 2024

Front. Plant Sci.

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Herbivore-avoided plant patches are one of the initial characteristics of natural grassland degradation. These vegetation patches can intensify the spatial heterogeneity of soil nutrients within these grasslands. However, the effects of non-edible plant patches patches on the spatial heterogeneity of microorganisms have not been sufficiently studied in alpine meadows of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, especially patches formed by herbaceous plants. To answer this question, soil nutrients, plant assembly, and microbial communities were measured inside, around, and outside of Artemisia smithii patches. These were 0 m (within the patch), 0–1 m (one meter from the edge of the patch), 1–2 m (two meters from the edge of the patch), 2–3 m (three meters from the edge of the patch), and >30 m (non-patch grassland more than thirty meters from the edge of the patch). Our results showed that A. smithii patches accumulated more aboveground biomass (AGB) within the patches (0 m), and formed fertile islands with the soil around the patches. Additionally, A. smithii patches increased soil bacterial diversity within (0 m) and around (0–1 m) the patches by primarily enriching copiotrophic bacteria (Actinobacteria), while the diversity of fungal communities increased mainly in the 0–1 m area but not within the patches. Bacterial community diversity was driven by pH, urease, nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N), and microbial biomass carbon (MBC). The contents of soil water (SWC), soil organic matter (SOM), urease, NO3−-N, and MBC were the main factors influencing the diversity of the fungal community. This study elucidates the vegetation, nutrients, and microbial heterogeneity and their interrelationships, which are observed in fertile islands of herbivore-avoided plant patches in alpine meadows, and provides further insights into the spatial pattern of nutrients in patchy degraded grasslands.

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Effects of vegetation patchiness on ecosystem carbon and nitrogen storage in the alpine grassland of the Qilian Mountains

Cited by 5 publications

References 84 publications

Reduced plant species diversity and soil carbon and nitrogen contents driven by vegetation patchiness in alpine meadows

Reduced plant species diversity and soil carbon and nitrogen contents driven by vegetation patchiness in alpine meadows

Different responses of spatial heterogeneity of grassland vegetation to grazing intensity in northern China

Artemisia smithii patches form fertile islands and lead to heterogeneity of soil bacteria and fungi within and around the patches in alpine meadows of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

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