Li Jun-Hao, Yang Guo-Jing, Wang Shao-Ping
Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China.
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao. 2020 Jun;31(6):2109-2118. doi: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202006.002.
Alpine meadows account for 46.7% of grassland area on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which is an important part of grasslands in China. Under the effects of climate change and human activities in recent years, alpine meadow has been degraded seriously. Vegetation and soil have shown different degradation trends. At large spatial scales, the degraded alpine meadows are characterized by decreases of vegetation coverage, increases of weed vegetation, soil degradation and even desertification. At the micro-scale, soil particle size, soil microorganisms, and soil enzymes in degraded alpine meadows changed. We analyzed the changes of vegetation and soil during the degradation of alpine meadow ecosystems by considering species diversity, plant community structure, plant biomass, soil physical properties, soil microorganisms, soil enzymes, and soil nutrients. We put forward some uncertainties in the current research and problems that needed further study. This review provided a scientific basis for a comprehensive understanding of the degradation mechanisms and patterns of alpine meadows, effective intervention in alpine meadow, and restoration of ecological function.
高山草甸占青藏高原草地面积的46.7%，是中国草地的重要组成部分。近年来，在气候变化和人类活动的影响下，高山草甸严重退化。植被和土壤呈现出不同的退化趋势。在大空间尺度上，退化的高山草甸表现为植被覆盖度降低、杂草植被增加、土壤退化甚至荒漠化。在微观尺度上，退化高山草甸的土壤粒径、土壤微生物和土壤酶发生了变化。我们通过考虑物种多样性、植物群落结构、植物生物量、土壤物理性质、土壤微生物、土壤酶和土壤养分，分析了高山草甸生态系统退化过程中植被和土壤的变化。我们提出了当前研究中的一些不确定性以及需要进一步研究的问题。本综述为全面了解高山草甸的退化机制和模式、对高山草甸进行有效干预以及恢复生态功能提供了科学依据。
