Pastoral Degradation of Steppe Ecosystems in Central Mongolia

Бажа, С. Н.; Гунин, П. Д.; Danzhalova, E. V.; Drobyshev, Yu. I.; Prishcepa, A. V.

doi:10.1007/978-94-007-3886-7_10

Cited by 16 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…We could discern two indicators for horse grazing ( Goniolimon speciosum , Koeleria pyramidata ), which are typical for moderately grazed extrazonal steppes in general 72 – 74 . A typical indicator for heavy grazing in Central Yakutia, Carex duriuscula 49 , 75 , could not be confirmed for our study locations. Indicator species found are generally characteristic for Yakutian steppes (e.g.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 57%

Effects of large herbivore grazing on relics of the presumed mammoth steppe in the extreme climate of NE-Siberia

Reinecke

Ashastina

Kienast

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Siberian mammoth steppe ecosystem changed dramatically with the disappearance of large grazers in the Holocene. The concept of Pleistocene rewilding is based on the idea that large herbivore grazing significantly alters plant communities and can be employed to recreate lost ecosystems. On the other hand, modern rangeland ecology emphasizes the often overriding importance of harsh climates. We visited two rewilding projects and three rangeland regions, sampling a total of 210 vegetation relevés in steppe and surrounding vegetation (grasslands, shrublands and forests) along an extensive climatic gradient across Yakutia, Russia. We analyzed species composition, plant traits, diversity indices and vegetation productivity, using partial canonical correspondence and redundancy analysis. Macroclimate was most important for vegetation composition, and microclimate for the occurrence of extrazonal steppes. Macroclimate and soil conditions mainly determined productivity of vegetation. Bison grazing was responsible for small-scale changes in vegetation through trampling, wallowing and debarking, thus creating more open and disturbed plant communities, soil compaction and xerophytization. However, the magnitude of effects depended on density and type of grazers as well as on interactions with climate and site conditions. Effects of bison grazing were strongest in the continental climate of Central Yakutia, and steppes were generally less affected than meadows. We conclude that contemporary grazing overall has rather limited effects on vegetation in northeastern Siberia. Current rewilding practices are still far from recreating a mammoth steppe, although large herbivores like bison can create more open and drier vegetation and increase nutrient availability in particular in the more continental Central Yakutian Plain.

show abstract

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 57%

Effects of large herbivore grazing on relics of the presumed mammoth steppe in the extreme climate of NE-Siberia

Reinecke

Ashastina

Kienast

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…45 million animals, and the herd structure changed: the number of goats increased 3-4 fold. This burgeoning animal load has disrupted the natural balance by overgrazing and promoted degradation and desertification (Hilbig, 1995;Bazha et al, 2012;Wesche, Treiber, 2012).…”

Section: Soviet Eramentioning

confidence: 99%

The Eurasian steppe belt: Status quo, origin and evolutionary history

2019

Turczaninowia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We present a comprehensive review of the characteristics and structure of the Eurasian steppe and of its evolutionary history in space and time. During the last decades, tremendous advances in research methods in earth and palaeontological sciences have greatly increased knowledge on palaeoclimates and palaeoenvironments of the Cenozoic era. We discuss well-known facts against the background of the recent progress made in these fields and others related to our topics, and address open questions. In Part I (Status quo), we deal with steppe classification systems, human impact and present state of the Eurasian steppe. Here, we concentrate on prehistoric times when the first human cultures emerged, and on the last 100 to 200 years when drastic changes occurred and in many regions steppe nearly completely disappeared. In Part II (Origin and evolutionary history of the Eurasian steppe) we attend to the origin and evolution of grasses and grassland in general, and to the evolution and climate/landscape history of the Eurasian steppe belt in particular. Uplift of the Himalayan-Tibet Plateau, changes in land-sea distribution and global climate trends have been invoked as driving forces behind Cenozoic paleoclimate changes, but there is little consensus which one is the most important driver. We finally identify gaps/challenges in our knowledge about the evolutionary history of the Eurasian steppe and discuss research directions, which might help to unravel the florogenetic and steppe habitat dynamics from the beginning of steppe formation to the present time.

show abstract

“…Field studies were conducted during the height of herbage (the mid July-the mid August). We used in the paper methods of the qualitative and quantitative assessment of ecosystems by the nature of the vegeta ble cover; the methods were described in detail earlier (Gunin et al, 2010;Bazha et al, 2012;Bazha et al, 2013). Biomorphometric indices were studied, including the height and diameter of the crown in the partial bushes of Caragana bungei and heights, the number of vegetative and reproductive shoots, and the diameter of sods in Allium polyrrhizum.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The current ecosystems of the Baikal basin are exposed to strong changes under the influence of anthropogenic and natural factors, and these changes are repeatedly described in the literature (Miklyaeva et al, 2004;Ekosistemy..., 2005;Bazha et al, 2012). The zone of high risk is in this case the southern periphery of the Baikal region, which represents the ecotone between the boreal ecosystems of southern Siberia and the arid ecosystems of the Central Asian internal drainage basin.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Regional features of desertification processes of ecosystems on the border of the Baikal basin and Central Asian internal drainage basin

et al. 2015

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The article describes the regional features of ecosystem desertification in the southern periphery of the Baikal basin that are located in the zone of cross border interaction between the southern Siberian and the Central Asian internal drainage basin landscapes. The nature of such interactions is identified as invasive, which is associated with the penetration of desert steppe plant species: Caragana bungei are found in larch forests, and Allium polyrrhizum are found in dry steppes. A high degree of species adaptation to the modern arid climate is defined by ecological and physiological analysis of these species characteristics. The significant predominance of Caragana bungei and Allium polyrrhizum in the current structure of plant communities makes it possible to identify a long term and widespread invasive succession and to characterize this process as a specific desertification form.

show abstract

Pastoral Degradation of Steppe Ecosystems in Central Mongolia

Cited by 16 publications

References 0 publications

Effects of large herbivore grazing on relics of the presumed mammoth steppe in the extreme climate of NE-Siberia

Effects of large herbivore grazing on relics of the presumed mammoth steppe in the extreme climate of NE-Siberia

The Eurasian steppe belt: Status quo, origin and evolutionary history

Regional features of desertification processes of ecosystems on the border of the Baikal basin and Central Asian internal drainage basin

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About