Effects of alpine meadow degradation on the soil physical and chemical properties in Maqu,China  

作　　者：KeCun Zhang JiaPeng Pan ZhiShan An Yu Zhang YanPing Yu 

机构地区：[1]Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands&Dunhuang Gobi and Desert Ecology and Environment Research Station,Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Lanzhou,Gansu 730000,China [2]University of Chinese Academy of Sciences,Beijing 100049,China [3]Gansu Agricultural University,Lanzhou,Gansu 730000,China

出　　处：《Research in Cold and Arid Regions》2024年第6期269-277,共9页寒旱区科学(英文版)

基　　金：research was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2020YFA0608403);the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42171083);the Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province(23JRRA601).

摘　　要：While alpine meadow degradation presents a significant ecological challenge,research on the complex patterns of soil property changes induced by degradation has been somewhat limited.In this study,we investigated the Maqu alpine meadow,meticulously categorizing it into different grassland types exhibiting varying degrees of degradation based on factors such as vegetation coverage and community,soil characteristics,and landscape features.These classifications included typical grassland,degraded grassland,desertified grassland,and sandy land.In August 2018,we established three quadrats at each sample point and collected soil samples at five depths(surface(0-2 cm),2-5 cm,5-10 cm,10-20 cm,and 20-40 cm)to analyze soil particle size distribution(PSD)and nutrients content.The results revealed a discernible trend:alpine meadow degradation led to selective loss of nutrient-rich soil fine particles,resulting in significant alterations in soil PSD and nutrients,particularly pronounced in grasslands with low degrees of degradation.Moreover,within a specific range of degradation degree,the clay content in the shallow soil of alpine meadow increased with the degradation degree,but it declined when the degradation degree exceeded a certain threshold.Degradation also disrupted the intricate relationship between soil nutrients,with notable variations in their coupling.This difference was also reflected in the influence of soil physical and chemical properties on soil nutrients,with the explanatory power of each environmental indicator on soil nutrients decreasing significantly with increasing degradation.This study systematically analyzed the variation in soil physical and chemical properties throughout the degradation process,revealing the mechanism of soil nutrient imbalance and decline caused by the degradation process.It provides crucial theoretical foundations and reference points for the preservation and rejuvenation of alpine meadows,enriching the methodology for assessing the impact of grassland degradation.

关 键 词：Alpine meadow Degradation process Soil nutrient Soil particle Maqu 

分 类 号：S15[农业科学—土壤学]