Research Progress of Grassland Ecosystem Structure and Stability and Inspiration for Improving Its Service Capacity in the Karst Desertification Control

Abstract

The structure and stability of grassland ecosystems have a significant impact on biodiversity, material cycling and productivity for ecosystem services. However, the issue of the structure and stability of grassland ecosystems has not been systematically reviewed. Based on the Web of Science (WOS) and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases, we used the systematic-review method and screened 133 papers to describe and analyze the frontiers of research into the structure and stability of grassland ecosystems. The research results showed that: (1) The number of articles about the structure and stability of grassland ecosystems is gradually increasing, and the research themes are becoming increasingly diverse. (2) There is a high degree of consistency between the study area and the spatial distribution of grassland. (3) Based on the changes in ecosystem patterns and their interrelationships with ecosystem processes, we reviewed the research progress and landmark results on the structure, stability, structure–stability relationship and their influencing factors of grassland ecosystems; among them, the study of structure is the main research focus (51.12%), followed by the study of the influencing factors of structure and stability (37.57%). (4) Key scientific questions on structural optimization, stability enhancement and harmonizing the relationship between structure and stability are explored. (5) Based on the background of karst desertification control (KDC) and its geographical characteristics, three insights are proposed to optimize the spatial allocation, enhance the stability of grassland for rocky desertification control and coordinate the regulation mechanism of grassland structure and stability. This study provided some references for grassland managers and relevant policy makers to optimize the structure and enhance the stability of grassland ecosystems. It also provided important insights to enhance the service capacity of grassland ecosystems in KDC.

Enhancing Semi-Arid Ecosystem Resilience in Jordan Using Controlled Grazing – A Short and Long-Term Assessment

“…However, a shift occurs in the long term, where resource limitation in highproductivity grasslands results in aggravated interspecific competition. Consequently, slowgrowing and long-lived species with higher competitive advantages suppress or even exclude less competitive species (Borer et The controlled grazing approach has emerged as a significant factor in shaping the composition of plant communities and influencing the distribution of different plant groups and species (He et al, 2023;Smith et al, 2017). The findings of this research underscore the potential of controlled grazing to positively impact vegetation management and conservation efforts, leading to Considering land cover changes, vegetation dynamics, biomass production, and average NDVI values in tandem is of crucial importance when evaluating the impacts of controlled grazing management (Figure 3; Table 3).…”

Impact of Land Use Change on the Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Ecosystem Service Values in South China Karst Areas

“…Intercropping in the agro-grass management model effectively maintains the productivity of (S. miltiorrhiza) as well as improves soil structural stability and water recycling efficiency [30]. Restoration measures, such as mixing legume and grass families, forage and crop rotation, and degraded grassland improvement, are not only beneficial to regional industrial development [64], but also play an important role in optimizing the regional ecosystem services of soil conservation and water harvesting. A variety of ecological restoration optimization composite measures are formed to jointly promote the restoration and development of ecologically fragile areas.…”

Ecological Stoichiometric Characteristics of Plant–Soil–Microorganism of Grassland Ecosystems under Different Restoration Modes in the Karst Desertification Area

“…Studies have shown that "grain for green" projects in rocky desertification areas are an important measure to restore the ecological environment damaged by rocky desertification, which is of great significance to promote ecological restoration and economic development [23]. The establishment of artificial grassland or natural recovery and secondary succession without human intervention of grassland may change the soil-plant-microorganism nutrient relationship formed by long-term evolution [23,24], thus having a profound impact on the balance of elements and substances in the ecosystem [25,26]. Up to now, research on ecological stoichiometry in karst areas has seen many achievements in vegetation succession, some vegetation (e.g., forest) or areas (e.g., grassland in northern China) [27][28][29][30][31], but research on ecological stoichiometry of the plant-soil-microorganism system in grasslands of the karst desertification control area is still very weak.…”