Vulnerability of the Asian Typical Steppe to Grazing and Climate Change

Christensen, Lindsey; Coughenour, Michael B.; Ellis, James E.; Chen, Zuo Zhong

doi:10.1023/b:clim.0000018513.60904.fe

Cited by 210 publications

(135 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Grasslands in Inner Mongolia are vulnerable to both climate change and grazing (Christensen et al 2004). An ecosystem model simulated that herbaceous aboveground NPP is most sensitive to changes in precipitation.…”

Section: Northern Chinamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Reduced precipitation has a negative effect on vegetation growth rates. Shifts in biomass patterns due to changes in climate have potentially significant implications for grazing management, which will need to be altered under changing climate in order to maintain system stability (Christensen et al 2004). A previously simulation using the CENTURY ecosystem model also showed that the effects of global climate change and doubled atmospheric CO 2 concentration led to loss of NPP and soil organic matter of typical steppe (Leymus chinense, Stipa grandis) and meadow steppe (Filifolium sibiricum, S. baicalensis and L. chinense) in Inner Mongolia (Xiao et al 1995).…”

Section: Northern Chinamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impacts of climate change on Chinese ecosystems: key vulnerable regions and potential thresholds

2010

Reg Environ Change

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China is a key vulnerable region of climate change in the world. Climate warming and general increase in precipitation with strong temporal and spatial variations have happened in China during the past century. Such changes in climate associated with the human disturbances have influenced natural ecosystems of China, leading to the advanced plant phenology in spring, lengthened growing season of vegetation, modified composition and geographical pattern of vegetation, especially in ecotone and tree-lines, and the increases in vegetation cover, vegetation activity and net primary productivity. Increases in temperature, changes in precipitation regime and CO 2 concentration enrichment will happen in the future in China according to climate model simulations. The projected climate scenarios (associated with land use changes again) will significantly influence Chinese ecosystems, resulting in a northward shift of all forests, disappearance of boreal forest from northeastern China, new tropical forests and woodlands move into the tropics, an eastward shift of grasslands (expansion) and deserts (shrinkage), a reduction in alpine vegetation and an increase in net primary productivity of most vegetation types. Ecosystems in northern and western parts of China are more vulnerable to climate changes than those in eastern China, while ecosystems in the east are more vulnerable to land use changes other than climate changes. Such assessment could be helpful to address the ultimate objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC Article 2).

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Section: Northern Chinamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Northern Chinamentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of climate change on Chinese ecosystems: key vulnerable regions and potential thresholds

2010

Reg Environ Change

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“…These ecosystems are also vulnerable to climate change and changes in grazing management (Christensen et al, 2004). 2.6% of the world´s grassland (12% of Eurasian grassland) is to be found in Mongolia.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Vegetation of North-Western Mongolia: Floristic Checklist and Conservation Status of Mongolian Grassland Flora

2017

Mong. J. Biol. Sci.

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Mongolia´s grassland (steppe) is reported to be vulnerable to climate change, degradation, and densifi cation. The traditional Mongolian pastoral herding system is currently transforming due to changes in market relations and economic developments, and this transformation has an impact on species composition and biodiversity. For this study, we observed the current situation of the fl ora in the north-western Mongolian territories to provide data on plant species occurrence in this remote area. A vegetation assessment was conducted for 15 locations in June and July 2016. Indicator plant species were determined to assess the level of grazing and degradation, as well as the respective steppe sub-type. The conservation status of all recorded plant species was assessed in accordance with the IUCN Red List. In total, 106 vascular plant species belonging to 73 genera and 26 families were recorded. Four endemic plant species were observed. All locations were classifi ed into three steppe sub-types: Desert-steppe, dry-steppe and mountain-steppe. A large number of degradation indicator plant species were observed in almost all locations. No endangered species in the Mongolian IUCN Red List were observed. The observation indicates that the vegetation in the north-western area of Mongolia is partly showing tendencies towards overgrazing and degradation. The conservation status of the most recorded species is currently unknown, and more studies on Mongolian vegetation will need to be conducted to assess these species' status. We emphasize the urgent need for further studies on the vegetation and plant species composition, and indicators in north

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“…Christensen et al (2004) examined the vulnerability of grassland vegetation in Inner Mongolia to climate change and grazing using an ecosystem model. Using the Vulnerability-resilience Indicator Prototype (VRIP) model, Brenkert and Malone (2005) evaluated the vulnerability of India and Indian states to climate change.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of vulnerability to climate change in the Inner Mongolia steppe at a county scale from 1980 to 2009

Hou

et al. 2014

Rangel. J.

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Abstract. Most of Inner Mongolia is covered with natural grassland and is highly sensitive to global climate change because of the physical geography, the highly variable climate, and the complicated socioeconomic conditions. The climate is generally wetter in the east becoming drier towards the west of the region. Using a Pressure-State-Response model to select climate-related assessment indicators, a vulnerability assessment to climate change framework of counties in Inner Mongolia was built, which included three layers and 17 indicators. Climate change vulnerability of eight counties in the steppe area of Inner Mongolia was assessed from 1980 to 2009. The results showed that in the past 30 years, climate change vulnerability of eight counties has decreased with the decrease more pronounced after 2000. The lowest value for vulnerability was in 2008. The vulnerability of the western region was higher than that of the eastern region. Counties with a desert ecological system had a higher vulnerability than counties with steppe. Under the background of exposure increasing and sensitivity slightly decreasing, a continuing significant improvement in adaptive capacity is the key reason for a reduction invulnerability of the Inner Mongolia steppe area to climate change. The volatility of the climate on an inter-annual scale can cause changes in vulnerability between years. With the development of the rural economy and increases in national investment in the environment, the vulnerability of the Inner Mongolian steppe has been significantly reduced, but, overall, the vulnerability remains high. Most of the counties are moderately vulnerable, some counties are seriously vulnerable, even extremely vulnerable, and strong measures need to be adopted to strengthen the ability to adapt to climate change.

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Vulnerability of the Asian Typical Steppe to Grazing and Climate Change

Cited by 210 publications

References 44 publications

Impacts of climate change on Chinese ecosystems: key vulnerable regions and potential thresholds

Impacts of climate change on Chinese ecosystems: key vulnerable regions and potential thresholds

The Vegetation of North-Western Mongolia: Floristic Checklist and Conservation Status of Mongolian Grassland Flora

Assessment of vulnerability to climate change in the Inner Mongolia steppe at a county scale from 1980 to 2009

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