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Does Climate Change or Human Activity Lead to the Degradation in the Grassland Ecosystem in a Mountain-Basin System in an Arid Region of China?

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  • Junjie Yan

    (State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Urumqi 830011, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    College of Resources and Environment Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
    These authors contributed equally to this study and share first authorship.)

  • Guangpeng Zhang

    (State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Urumqi 830011, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    These authors contributed equally to this study and share first authorship.)

  • Xiaoya Deng

    (State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, Department of Water Resources, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China)

  • Hongbo Ling

    (State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Urumqi 830011, China)

  • Hailiang Xu

    (State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Urumqi 830011, China)

  • Bin Guo

    (College of Geomatics, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China)

Abstract

In mountain-basin systems in the arid region, grasslands are sensitive to the impacts of climate change and human activities. In this study, we aimed to resolve two key scientific issues: (1) distinguish and explain the laws of grassland ecosystem deterioration in a mountain-basin system and identify the key factors related; and (2) evaluate whether damaged grasslands ecosystem have the potential for natural revegetation. Hence, by combining spatial analysis with statistical methods, we studied the trends of the deterioration of the grassland ecosystem and its spatial characteristics in Kulusitai, a mountain-basin system in the arid region of Northwest China. According to our results, vegetation coverage and productivity exhibited significant decreasing trends, while the temperature vegetation drought index (TVDI) exhibited a significant increasing trend. Drainage of groundwater, because of increase in irrigation for the expanded irrigated area around Kulusitai, and climate warming were the critical triggers that leaded to the soil drought. Soil drought and overgrazing, resulting from the impact of human activities, were the main factors responsible for the deterioration of the grassland ecosystems. However, limiting the number of livestock to a reasonable scale and reducing the irrigated area may help to increase the soil moisture, thus promoting the germination of soil seed banks and facilitating the normal growth of grassland vegetation. Furthermore, based on analysis of the phenology of the grassland vegetation, the reasonable period for harvesting and storage is from July 29 to August 5. The results of this study provide a scientific basis and practical guide for restoring mountain-basin grassland systems in arid regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Junjie Yan & Guangpeng Zhang & Xiaoya Deng & Hongbo Ling & Hailiang Xu & Bin Guo, 2019. "Does Climate Change or Human Activity Lead to the Degradation in the Grassland Ecosystem in a Mountain-Basin System in an Arid Region of China?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:9:p:2618-:d:228798
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yu, Yingdong & Liu, Jiahong & Wang, Hao & Liu, Miao, 2011. "Assess the potential of solar irrigation systems for sustaining pasture lands in arid regions – A case study in Northwestern China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(9), pages 3176-3182.
    2. Qing-zhu Gao & Yue Li & Hong-mei Xu & Yun-fan Wan & Wang-zha Jiangcun, 2014. "Adaptation strategies of climate variability impacts on alpine grassland ecosystems in Tibetan Plateau," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 199-209, February.
    3. Ling Zhang & Zhuotong Nan & Yi Xu & Shuo Li, 2016. "Hydrological Impacts of Land Use Change and Climate Variability in the Headwater Region of the Heihe River Basin, Northwest China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(6), pages 1-25, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yaqun Liu & Changhe Lu, 2021. "Quantifying Grass Coverage Trends to Identify the Hot Plots of Grassland Degradation in the Tibetan Plateau during 2000–2019," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-18, January.
    2. Na Liao & Xinchen Gu & Yuejian Wang & Hailiang Xu & Zili Fan, 2020. "Analyzing Macro-Level Ecological Change and Micro-Level Farmer Behavior in Manas River Basin, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-17, July.

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