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The Role of Plant Functional Diversity in Regulating Soil Organic Carbon Stocks under Different Grazing Intensities in Temperate Grassland, China

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  • Zhilu Sheng

    (Institute of Ecology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection for Regional Ecological Processes and Functions Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China)

  • Jiaqiang Du

    (Institute of Ecology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection for Regional Ecological Processes and Functions Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China)

  • Bingqing Sun

    (Institute of Ecology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection for Regional Ecological Processes and Functions Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China)

  • Jialin Mao

    (Institute of Ecology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection for Regional Ecological Processes and Functions Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China)

  • Yangchengsi Zhang

    (Institute of Ecology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection for Regional Ecological Processes and Functions Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China)

  • Jing Zhang

    (Institute of Ecology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection for Regional Ecological Processes and Functions Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China)

  • Zhaoyan Diao

    (Institute of Ecology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
    State Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection for Regional Ecological Processes and Functions Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China)

Abstract

Grazing is very common in the grassland ecosystem, and it has a significant impact on the C stocks and cycle. One of the most important drivers of soil C stocks is functional diversity. However, limited studies have attempted to explore the effects of functional diversity on soil C stocks associated with grazing disturbance. This study was carried out in Hulunbeier grassland, Inner Mongolia, and four grazing intensities (no grazing (NG), light grazing (LG), moderate grazing (MG), and heavy grazing (HG)) were identified. The plant functional traits and important soil properties under different grazing intensities were measured. Functional identity and diversity were calculated based on the measured functional traits. The impacts of functional identity and diversity on soil organic carbon stocks (SOC stocks ) were analyzed using a multi-model inference (MMI) approach. Our study showed that the functional diversity effect on soil C stocks varies depending on grazing intensity. We identified that functional richness has a significant impact on SOC stocks in NG. The community weighted mean of leaf area became the best predictor of SOC stocks in LG. As grazing intensified, functional divergence best explained SOC stocks in moderate and heavy grazing sites, and their relationship was positive. The major outcomes of this research could shed light on the mechanics of soil carbon storage.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhilu Sheng & Jiaqiang Du & Bingqing Sun & Jialin Mao & Yangchengsi Zhang & Jing Zhang & Zhaoyan Diao, 2022. "The Role of Plant Functional Diversity in Regulating Soil Organic Carbon Stocks under Different Grazing Intensities in Temperate Grassland, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:8:p:4376-:d:788382
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhufeng Hou & Guanghui Lv & Lamei Jiang, 2021. "Functional Diversity Can Predict Ecosystem Functions Better Than Dominant Species: The Case of Desert Plants in the Ebinur Lake Basin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-13, March.
    2. Suizi Wang & Jiangwen Fan & Yuzhe Li & Lin Huang, 2019. "Effects of Grazing Exclusion on Biomass Growth and Species Diversity among Various Grassland Types of the Tibetan Plateau," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-13, March.
    3. Lamthai Asanok & Rungrawee Taweesuk & Torlarp Kamyo, 2021. "Plant Functional Diversity Is Linked to Carbon Storage in Deciduous Dipterocarp Forest Edges in Northern Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-12, October.
    4. Yunqing Hao & Zhengwei He, 2019. "Effects of grazing patterns on grassland biomass and soil environments in China: A meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(4), pages 1-15, April.
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