Response of plant functional traits at species and community levels to grazing exclusion on Inner Mongolian steppe, China
Jinghui Zhang A , Yongmei Huang A B , Huiying Chen A , Jirui Gong A , Yu Qi A , Engui Li A and Xiuchen Wu A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A State Key Laboratory of Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, School of Natural Resources, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
B Corresponding author. Email: ymhuang@bnu.edu.cn
The Rangeland Journal 40(2) 179-189 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ16086
Submitted: 24 August 2016 Accepted: 22 February 2018 Published: 9 April 2018
Abstract
Variations in ecosystem function in response to land-use changes may be expected to reflect differences in the functional traits of plants. In this study, we sought to reveal the relationship between trait variability and grazing management on typical steppe in Inner Mongolia, and explore the implications of this relationship for ecosystem functioning. We measured aboveground biomass and 18 functional traits of the most abundant plant species in a grassland subject to three grazing-management regimes: long-term grazing, short-term grazing exclusion (since 2008) and long-term grazing exclusion (since 1956).
Principal component analysis of the variation in species-level traits revealed trade-offs between the traits that enabled rapid acquisition of resources by fast-growing annual species and those that promoted conservation of resources by perennial grasses, especially Stipa grandis. However, there was no systematic pattern of intra-specific variation in trait values recorded among sites.
Aggregation of plant functional traits to the community level revealed a gradient of responses of typical steppe to grazing exclusion. Long-term grazing favoured species whose traits indicate low forage quality and relatively low growth rate. Exclusion of grazing for several years favoured species whose traits indicate relatively high growth rate and high capacity to acquire resources. Exclusion of grazing for several decades favoured species whose morphological and physiological traits indicated low growth rates and high capacity for resource conservation. These community-level traits imply that ecosystem carbon and nutrient stores will change in response to the grazing regime. Long-term grazing will result in decreased plant carbon and nitrogen content, and will lead to carbon and nutrient loss, whereas short-term and long-term grazing exclusion are beneficial to the recovery of carbon and nutrient storage. The findings support the value of community aggregated traits as indicators of environmental or management change and for explaining changes in ecosystem function.
Additional keywords: CSR triangle, grazing management, PCA, plant economics spectrum, plant functional group.
References
Aarssen, L. W. (1992). Causes and consequences of variation in competitive ability in plant communities. Journal of Vegetation Science 3, 165–174.| Causes and consequences of variation in competitive ability in plant communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Al Haj Khaled, R., Duru, R. M., Theau, J. P., Plantureux, S., and Cruz, P. (2005). Variation in leaf traits through seasons and N-availability levels and its consequences for ranking grassland species. Journal of Vegetation Science 16, 391–398.
| Variation in leaf traits through seasons and N-availability levels and its consequences for ranking grassland species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Albert, C. H., Thuiller, W., Yoccoz, N. G., Douzet, R., Aubert, S., and Lavorel, S. (2010). A multi-trait approach reveals the structure and the relative importance of intra- vs. interspecific variability in plant traits. Functional Ecology 24, 1192–1201.
| A multi-trait approach reveals the structure and the relative importance of intra- vs. interspecific variability in plant traits.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ansquer, P., Duru, M., Theau, J. P., and Cruz, P. (2009). Functional traits as indicators of fodder production over a short time scale in species-rich grasslands. Annals of Botany 103, 117–126.
| Functional traits as indicators of fodder production over a short time scale in species-rich grasslands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bagchi, S., and Ritchie, M. E. (2010). Introduced grazers can restrict potential soil carbon sequestration through impacts on plant community composition. Ecology Letters 13, 959–968.
Bai, Y. F., Wu, J. G., Pan, Q. M., Huang, J. H., Wang, Q. B., Li, F. S., Buyantuyev, A., and Han, X. G. (2007). Positive linear relationship between productivity and diversity: evidence from the Eurasian steppe. Journal of Applied Ecology 44, 1023–1034.
| Positive linear relationship between productivity and diversity: evidence from the Eurasian steppe.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bai, Y. F., Wu, J. G., Xing, Q., Pan, Q. M., Huang, J. H., Yang, D. L., and Han, X. G. (2008). Primary production and rain use efficiency across a precipitation gradient on the Mongolia plateau. Ecology 89, 2140–2153.
| Primary production and rain use efficiency across a precipitation gradient on the Mongolia plateau.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bai, Y. F., Wu, J. G., Clark, C. M., Pan, Q. M., Zhang, L. X., Chen, S. P., Wang, Q. B., and Han, X. G. (2012). Grazing alters ecosystem functioning and C : N : P stoichiometry of grasslands along a regional precipitation gradient. Journal of Applied Ecology 49, 1204–1215.
| Grazing alters ecosystem functioning and C : N : P stoichiometry of grasslands along a regional precipitation gradient.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXislSmt7k%3D&md5=127fd0fae00c7963e1ee401a968bf1acCAS |
Carpenter, S. R. (1990). Large-scale perturbations: opportunities for innovation. Ecology 71, 2038–2043.
| Large-scale perturbations: opportunities for innovation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chapin, F. S., Autumn, K., and Pugnaire, F. (1993). Evolution of suites of traits in response to environmental stress. American Naturalist 142, S78–S92.
| Evolution of suites of traits in response to environmental stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
China Meteorological Data Network (2014). Monthly temperature and precipitation 1953–2013. China Meteorological Data Network. Available at: http://data.cma.cn/ (accessed 14 July 2014).
Cingolani, A., Cabido, M., Renison, D., and Solís-Neffa, V. (2003). Combined effects of environment and grazing on vegetation structure in Argentine granite grasslands. Journal of Vegetation Science 14, 223–232.
| Combined effects of environment and grazing on vegetation structure in Argentine granite grasslands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cingolani, A. M., Posse, G., and Collantes, M. B. (2005). Plant functional traits, herbivore selectivity and response to sheep grazing in Patagonian steppe grasslands. Journal of Applied Ecology 42, 50–59.
| Plant functional traits, herbivore selectivity and response to sheep grazing in Patagonian steppe grasslands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cornelissen, J. H. C., Lavorel, S., Garnier, E., Diaz, S., Buchmann, N., Gurvich, D. E., Reich, P. B., ter Steege, H., Morgan, H. D., van der Heijden, M. G. A., Pausas, J. G., and Poorter, H. (2003). A handbook of protocols for standardized and easy measurement of plant functional traits worldwide. Australian Journal of Botany 51, 335–380.
| A handbook of protocols for standardized and easy measurement of plant functional traits worldwide.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cornelissen, J. H. C., Quested, H. M., Gwynn-Jones, D., Van Logtestijn, R. S. P., De Beus, M. A. H., Kondratchuk, A., Callaghan, T. V., and Aerts, R. (2004). Leaf digestibility and litter decomposability are related in a wide range of subarctic plant species and types. Functional Ecology 18, 779–786.
| Leaf digestibility and litter decomposability are related in a wide range of subarctic plant species and types.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cottenie, K., and De Meester, L. (2003). Comments to Oksanen (2001): reconciling Oksanen (2001) and Hulbert (1984). Oikos 100, 394–396.
| Comments to Oksanen (2001): reconciling Oksanen (2001) and Hulbert (1984).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Craine, J. M., Tilman, D., Wedin, D., Reich, P., Tjoelker, M., and Knops, J. (2002). Functional traits, productivity and effects on nitrogen cycling of 33 grassland species. Functional Ecology 16, 563–574.
| Functional traits, productivity and effects on nitrogen cycling of 33 grassland species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Diaz, S., Noy-Meir, I., and Cabido, M. (2001). Can grazing response of herbaceous plants be predicted from simple vegetative traits? Journal of Applied Ecology 38, 497–508.
| Can grazing response of herbaceous plants be predicted from simple vegetative traits?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Diaz, S., Hodgson, J. G., Thompson, K., Cabido, M., Cornelissen, J. H. C., Jalili, A., Montserrat-Marti, G., Grime, J. P., Zarrinkamar, F., Asri, Y., Band, S. R., Basconcelo, S., Castro-Diez, P., Funes, G., Hamzehee, B., Khoshnevi, M., Perez-Harguindeguy, N., Perez-Rontome, M. C., Shirvany, F. A., Vendramini, F., Yazdani, S., Abbas-Azimi, R., Bogaard, A., Boustani, S., Charles, M., Dehghan, M., de Torres-Espuny, L., Falczuk, V., Guerrero-Campo, J., Hynd, A., Jones, G., Kowsary, E., Kazemi-Saeed, F., Maestro-Martinez, M., Romo-Diez, A., Shaw, S., Siavash, B., Villar-Salvador, P., and Zak, M. R. (2004). The plant traits that drive ecosystems: evidence from three continents. Journal of Vegetation Science 15, 295–304.
| The plant traits that drive ecosystems: evidence from three continents.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Diaz, S., Lavorel, S., de Bello, F., Quetier, F., Grigulis, K., and Robson, T. M. (2007). Incorporating plant functional diversity effects in ecosystem service assessments. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 104, 20 684–20 689.
| Incorporating plant functional diversity effects in ecosystem service assessments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXkt1ejsA%3D%3D&md5=6b19e525a3429df1790ce9010bca0c5aCAS |
Foley, J. A., DeFries, R., Asner, G. P., Barford, C., Bonan, G., Carpenter, S. R., Chapin, F. S., Coe, M. T., Daily, G. C., Gibbs, H. K., Helkowski, J. H., Holloway, T., Howard, E. H., Kucharik, C. J., Monfreda, C., Patz, J. A., Prentice, I. C., Ramankutty, N., and Snyder, P. K. (2005). Global consequences of land use. Science 309, 570–574.
| Global consequences of land use.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXmsFChtrs%3D&md5=fadf8858da93e4d8276c4c64e519b7b3CAS |
Fortunel, C., Garnier, E., Joffre, R., Kazakou, E., Quested, H. M., Grigulis, K., Lavorel, S., Ansquer, P., Castro, H., Cruz, P., Dolezal, J., Eriksson, O., Freitas, H., Golodets, C., Jouany, C., Kigel, J., Kleyer, M., Lehsten, V., Leps, J., Meier, T., Pakeman, R. J., Papadimitriou, M., Papanastasis, V. P., Quetier, F., Robson, M., Sternberg, M., Theau, J. P., Thébault, A., and Zarovali, M. (2009). Leaf traits capture the effects of land use changes and climate on litter decomposability of grasslands across Europe. Ecology 90, 598–611.
| Leaf traits capture the effects of land use changes and climate on litter decomposability of grasslands across Europe.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Frenette-Dussault, C., Shipley, B., Leger, J. F., Meziane, D., and Hingrat, Y. (2012). Functional structure of an arid steppe plant community reveals similarities with Grime’s C-S-R theory. Journal of Vegetation Science 23, 208–222.
| Functional structure of an arid steppe plant community reveals similarities with Grime’s C-S-R theory.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Freschet, G. T., Aerts, R., and Cornelissen, H. C. (2012). A plant economics spectrum of litter decomposability. Functional Ecology 26, 56–65.
| A plant economics spectrum of litter decomposability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Garnier, E., Cordonnier, P., Guillerm, J. L., and Sonié, L. (1997). Specific leaf area and leaf nitrogen concentration in annual and perennial grass species growing in Mediterranean old-fields. Oecologia 111, 490–498.
| Specific leaf area and leaf nitrogen concentration in annual and perennial grass species growing in Mediterranean old-fields.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC1czns1Kiug%3D%3D&md5=28fdb7ef69a9b0baa9b3d924012d39baCAS |
Garnier, E., Laurent, G., Bellmann, A., Debain, S., Berthelier, P., Ducout, B., Roumet, C., and Navas, M. L. (2001). Consistency of species ranking based on functional leaf traits. New Phytologist 152, 69–83.
| Consistency of species ranking based on functional leaf traits.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Garnier, E., Cortez, J., Billes, G., Navas, M. L., Roumet, C., Debussche, M., Laurent, G., Blanchard, A., Aubry, D., Bellmann, A., Neill, C., and Toussaint, J. P. (2004). Plant functional markers capture ecosystem properties during secondary succession. Ecology 85, 2630–2637.
| Plant functional markers capture ecosystem properties during secondary succession.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Garnier, E., Lavorel, S., Ansquer, P., Castro, H., Cruz, P., Dolezal, J., Eriksson, O., Fortunel, C., Freitas, H., Golodets, C., Grigulis, K., Jouany, C., Kazakou, E., Kigel, J., Kleyer, M., Lehsten, V., Leps, J., Meier, T., Pakeman, R., Papadimitriou, M., Papanastasis, V. P., Quested, H., Quetier, F., Robson, M., Roumet, C., Rusch, G., Skarpe, C., Sternberg, M., Theau, J. P., Thebault, A., Vile, D., and Zarovali, M. P. (2007). Assessing the effects of land-use change on plant traits, communities and ecosystem functioning in grasslands: a standardized methodology and lessons from an application to 11 European sites. Annals of Botany 99, 967–985.
| Assessing the effects of land-use change on plant traits, communities and ecosystem functioning in grasslands: a standardized methodology and lessons from an application to 11 European sites.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Grime, J. P. (1974). Vegetation classification by reference to strategies. Nature 250, 26–31.
| Vegetation classification by reference to strategies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Grime, J. P. (1977). Evidence for the existence of three primary strategies in plants and its relevance to ecological and evolutionary theory. American Naturalist 111, 1169–1194.
| Evidence for the existence of three primary strategies in plants and its relevance to ecological and evolutionary theory.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Grime, J. P. (1998). Benefits of plant diversity to ecosystems: immediate, filter and founder effects. Journal of Ecology 86, 902–910.
| Benefits of plant diversity to ecosystems: immediate, filter and founder effects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Han, J. G., Zhang, Y. J., Wang, C. J., Bai, W. M., Wang, Y. R., Han, G. D., and Li, L. H. (2008). Rangeland degradation and restoration management in China. The Rangeland Journal 30, 233–239.
| Rangeland degradation and restoration management in China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hodgson, J. G., Wilson, P. J., Hunt, R., Grime, J. P., and Thompson, K. (1999). Allocating CSR plant functional types: a soft approach to a hard problem. Oikos 85, 282–294.
| Allocating CSR plant functional types: a soft approach to a hard problem.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lavorel, S., and Garnier, E. (2002). Predicting changes in community composition and ecosystem functioning from plant traits: revisiting the Holy Grail. Functional Ecology 16, 545–556.
| Predicting changes in community composition and ecosystem functioning from plant traits: revisiting the Holy Grail.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lavorel, S., and Grigulis, K. (2012). How fundamental plant functional trait relationships scale-up to trade-offs and synergies in ecosystem services. Journal of Ecology 100, 128–140.
| How fundamental plant functional trait relationships scale-up to trade-offs and synergies in ecosystem services.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lavorel, S., Grigulis, K., Lamarque, P., Colace, M. P., Garden, D., Girel, J., Pellet, G., and Douzet, R. (2011). Using plant functional traits to understand the landscape distribution of multiple ecosystem services. Journal of Ecology 99, 135–147.
| Using plant functional traits to understand the landscape distribution of multiple ecosystem services.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Leoni, E., Altesor, A., and Paruelo, J. M. (2009). Explaining patterns of primary production from individual level traits. Journal of Vegetation Science 20, 612–619.
| Explaining patterns of primary production from individual level traits.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Louault, F., Pillar, V. D., Aufrre, J., Gamier, E., and Soussana, J. F. (2005). Plant traits and functional types in response to reduced disturbance in a semi natural grassland. Journal of Vegetation Science 16, 151–160.
| Plant traits and functional types in response to reduced disturbance in a semi natural grassland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
MacArthur, R. H., and Wilson, E. D. (1967). ‘The Theory of Island Biogeography [M].’ (Princeton University Press: Princeton, NJ.)
Nash Suding, K. N., Goldberg, D. E., and Hartman, K. M. (2003). Relationships among species traits: Separating levels of response and identifying linkages to abundance. Ecology 84, 1–16.
| Relationships among species traits: Separating levels of response and identifying linkages to abundance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pérez-Harguindeguy, N., Díaz, S., Vendramini, E., Cornelissen, J. H. C., Gurvich, D. E., and Cabido, M. (2003). Leaf traits and herbivore selection in the field and in cafeteria experiments. Austral Ecology 28, 642–650.
| Leaf traits and herbivore selection in the field and in cafeteria experiments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Quested, H., Eriksson, O., Fortunel, C., and Garnier, E. (2007). Plant traits relate to whole-community litter quality and decomposition following land use change. Functional Ecology 21, 1016–1026.
| Plant traits relate to whole-community litter quality and decomposition following land use change.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Quétier, F., Thebault, A., and Lavorel, S. (2007). Plant traits in a state and transition framework as markers of ecosystem response to land-use change. Ecological Monographs 77, 33–52.
| Plant traits in a state and transition framework as markers of ecosystem response to land-use change.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Reich, P. B. (2014). The world-wide ‘fast–slow’ plant economics spectrum: a traits manifesto. Journal of Ecology 102, 275–301.
| The world-wide ‘fast–slow’ plant economics spectrum: a traits manifesto.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Reich, P. B., Walters, M. B., and Ellsworth, D. S. (1992). Leaf lifespan in relation to leaf, plant and stand characteristics among diverse ecosystems. Ecological Monographs 62, 365–392.
| Leaf lifespan in relation to leaf, plant and stand characteristics among diverse ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Reich, P. B., Walters, M. B., and Ellsworth, D. S. (1997). From tropics to tundra: global convergence in plant functioning. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 94, 13 730–13 734.
| From tropics to tundra: global convergence in plant functioning.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXotValtb8%3D&md5=7b38d33a98ae3d9c9bf94c8a175080b0CAS |
Roche, P., Diaz-Burlinson, N., and Gachet, S. (2004). Congruency analysis of species ranking based on leaf traits: which traits are the more reliable? Plant Ecology 174, 37–48.
| Congruency analysis of species ranking based on leaf traits: which traits are the more reliable?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Song, B., Niu, S. L., and Wan, S. Q. (2016). Precipitation regulates plant gas exchange and its long-term response to climate change in a temperate grassland. Journal of Plant Ecology 9, 531–541.
| Precipitation regulates plant gas exchange and its long-term response to climate change in a temperate grassland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Suttie, J. M., Reynolds, S. G., and Batello, C. (2005). ‘Grasslands of the World.’ (FAO: Rome.)
ter Braak, C. J. F., and Smilauer, P. (2002). ‘CANOCO Reference Manual and CanoDraw for Window’s User’s Guide: Software for Canonical Community Ordination (version 4.5).’ (Microcomputer Power: Ithaca, NY.)
Tjoelker, M. G., Craine, J. M., Wedin, D., Reich, P. B., and Tilman, D. (2005). Linking leaf and root trait syndromes among 39 grassland and savannah species. New Phytologist 167, 493–508.
| Linking leaf and root trait syndromes among 39 grassland and savannah species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXpt1ersbg%3D&md5=5f5dd6276d7977cd575356bfc3fd8f1cCAS |
Tong, C., Wu, J., Yong, S., Yang, J., and Yong, W. (2004). A landscape scale assessment of steppe degradation in the Xilin River Basin, Inner Mongolia, China. Journal of Arid Environments 59, 133–149.
| A landscape scale assessment of steppe degradation in the Xilin River Basin, Inner Mongolia, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vaughn, K. J., Biel, C., Clary, J. J., de Herralde, F., Aranda, X., Evans, R. Y., Young, T. P., and Savé, R. (2011). California perennial grasses are physiologically distinct from both Mediterranean annual and perennial grasses. Plant and Soil 345, 37–46.
| California perennial grasses are physiologically distinct from both Mediterranean annual and perennial grasses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXptFymt70%3D&md5=1a1ac31eb2b2913fbeb88a4a938ab693CAS |
Wang, R. Z., and Ripley, E. A. (1997). Effects of grazing on a Leymus chinensis grassland on the Songnen plain of north-eastern China. Journal of Arid Environments 36, 307–318.
| Effects of grazing on a Leymus chinensis grassland on the Songnen plain of north-eastern China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Westoby, M. (1998). A leaf–height–seed (LHS) plant ecology strategy scheme. Plant and Soil 199, 213–227.
| A leaf–height–seed (LHS) plant ecology strategy scheme.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXjslOht7o%3D&md5=28d61d64304506ae112e1f659021d8f9CAS |
Westoby, M., Eldridge, D., and Freudenberger, D. (1999). The LHS strategy scheme in relation to grazing and fire. In ‘Proceedings 6th International Rangeland Congress’. Townsville, Australia. Vol. 2. (Eds D. Eldridge and D. Freudenberger.) pp. 893–896. (International Rangeland Congress: Townsville, Qld.)
Wilson, P. J., Thompson, K., and Hodgson, J. G. (1999). Specific leaf area and leaf dry matter content as alternative predictors of plant strategies. New Phytologist 143, 155–162.
| Specific leaf area and leaf dry matter content as alternative predictors of plant strategies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
WRB (2006). ‘World Reference Base for Soil Resources.’ 2nd edn. IUSS Working Group WRB, World Soil Resources Reports 103. (FAO: Rome.)
Wright, I. J., Reich, P. B., and Westoby, M. (2001). Strategy shifts in leaf physiology, structure and nutrient content between species of high- and low-rainfall and high- and low-nutrient habitats. Functional Ecology 15, 423–434.
| Strategy shifts in leaf physiology, structure and nutrient content between species of high- and low-rainfall and high- and low-nutrient habitats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wright, I. J., Reich, P. B., Westoby, M., Ackerly, D. D., Baruch, Z., Bongers, F., Cavender-Bares, J., Chapin, T., Cornelissen, J. H. C., Diemer, M., Flexas, J., Garnier, E., Groom, P. K., Gulias, J., Hikosaka, K., Lamont, B. B., Lee, T., Lee, W., Lusk, C., Midgley, J. J., Navas, M. L., Niinemets, U., Oleksyn, J., Osada, N., Poorter, H., Poot, P., Prior, L., Pyankov, V. I., Roumet, C., Thomas, S. C., Tjoelker, M. G., Veneklaas, E. J., and Villar, R. (2004). The worldwide leaf economics spectrum. Nature 428, 821–827.
| The worldwide leaf economics spectrum.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXjt1Crt74%3D&md5=d2df67f714c7b54dda85f34eacc33178CAS |
Wu, G. L., Du, G. Z., Liu, Z. H., and Thirgood, S. (2009). Effect of fencing and grazing on a Kobresia-dominated meadow in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Plant and Soil 319, 115–126.
| Effect of fencing and grazing on a Kobresia-dominated meadow in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXlvFOrs7s%3D&md5=947c2b89008a145d60f225df1af3986cCAS |
Zhang, J. Y., Wang, Y., Zhao, X., and Zhang, T. (2005). Grassland recovery by protection from grazing in a semi-arid sandy region of northern China. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 48, 277–284.
| Grassland recovery by protection from grazing in a semi-arid sandy region of northern China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zhang, Y. J., Zhang, X. Q., Wang, X. Y., Liu, N., and Kan, H. M. (2014). Establishing the carrying capacity of the grasslands of China: a review. The Rangeland Journal 36, 1–9.
| Establishing the carrying capacity of the grasslands of China: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zhang, J. H., Huang, Y. M., Chen, H. Y., Gong, J. R., Qi, Y., Yang, F., and Li, E. G. (2016). Effects of grassland management on the community structure, aboveground biomass and stability of a temperate steppe in Inner Mongolia, China. Journal of Arid Land 8, 422–433.
| Effects of grassland management on the community structure, aboveground biomass and stability of a temperate steppe in Inner Mongolia, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zheng, S. X., Ren, H. Y., Lan, Z. C., Li, W. H., Wang, K. B., and Bai, Y. F. (2010). Effects of grazing on leaf traits and ecosystem functioning in Inner Mongolia grasslands: scaling from species to community. Biogeosciences 7, 1117–1132.
| Effects of grazing on leaf traits and ecosystem functioning in Inner Mongolia grasslands: scaling from species to community.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zheng, S., Li, W., Lan, Z., Ren, H. Y., and Wang, K. B. (2015). Functional trait responses to grazing are mediated by soil moisture and plant functional group identity. Scientific Reports 5, 18163.
| Functional trait responses to grazing are mediated by soil moisture and plant functional group identity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXitVWqs7rP&md5=7aa18e31858c5acad6c83cb832c0467fCAS |
Zhong, Y. K., Bao, Q. H., Sun, W., and Zhang, H. Y. (2001). The influence of mowing on seed amount and composition in soil seed bank of typical steppe. Acta Scientiarum Naturalium Universitatis Neimongol 32, 308–314.
