Animal Husbandry and Feed Science ›› 2021, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (4): 89-97.doi: 10.12160/j.issn.1672-5190.2021.04.016

• Pratacultural Science • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research Advances on the Effects of Precipitation, Nitrogen Deposition and Grazing on Litter Decomposition in Grassland Ecosystem

Yeruhan1,2, Sarulaqiqige3, WEN Chao1, YI Feng-yan1, ZHANG Pu-jin1, Mulan1, SHAN Yu-mei1   

  1. 1. Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences,Hohhot 010031,China;
    2. Institute of Grassland Research,Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Hohhot 010026,China;
    3. Forestry and Grassland Comprehensive Administrative Law Enforcement Detachment,Ordos 017010,China
  • Received:2021-02-05 Online:2021-07-30 Published:2021-08-25

Abstract: Grassland ecosystem plays important roles in construction of ecological civilization, provision of ecosystem service, guarantee of food safety, and maintenance of border stability in China. Global climate change and excessive human disturbance have broken the original balance and stability of grassland ecosystem, and resulted in serious grassland degradation, desertification and salinization. The stability of structure, function and process of grassland ecosystem is fundamental to protect its steadiness. The litter decomposition is an important part in the grass material cycle and is of great significance to maintain the stability of grassland ecosystem. The responses of litter decomposition in grassland ecosystem to precipitation pattern change, increased atmospheric nitrogen deposition and grazing interference have been widely reported. By generalizing the related researches in China and abroad, we found that the results of studies on effects of precipitation, nitrogen deposition and grazing on litter decomposition in grassland ecosystem varied due to the geographical location, climate change and heterogeneity of grassland types, and even the same region had different findings. At present, there is limited information regarding the impacts of interactions of the above mentioned two or three interference factors on litter decomposition process of grassland ecosystem. It is of great significance to assess the effects of climate change and human disturbance on grassland ecosystem litter for the correct understanding of the structure and function of grassland ecosystem, as well as the sustainable utilization and protection of grassland ecosystem.

Key words: precipitation, nitrogen deposition, grazing, grassland ecosystem, litter decomposition

CLC Number: