Effects of livestock grazing on soil nitrogen mineralization on Hulunber meadow steppe, China | Land Portal

Información del recurso

Date of publication: 
Diciembre 2016
Resource Language: 
ISBN / Resource ID: 
handle:10568/77351
Pages: 
202-209
License of the resource: 

Soil nitrogen (N) cycling is an important factor in terrestrial ecosystems, including grasslands. Understanding the effects of grazing on nitrogen cycling in grassland ecosystems is critical for better management and for improving knowledge of the mechanisms underlying grassland degradation and can provide basic information for sustainable development in grassland ecosystems. In this study, in situ incubation in intact soil cores was used to measure seasonal changes in soil nitrogen mineralization and nitrification in the meadow steppe of the Hulunber grasslands of northeastern China. Soil plots were subjected to varying intensities of cattle grazing, and soil characteristics including several aspects of the nitrogen cycle were analysed. The findings demonstrate that soil inorganic N pools and nitrogen mineralization peaked in August and that moderate grazing intensity produced higher seasonal mean net N mineralization (Amin); net nitrogen mineralization rate (Rmin); net ammonification rate (Ramm) and net nitrification rate (Rnit). Seasonal mean net mineralization rate was increased by 6–15% in the lightly and moderately grazed plots (0.34–0.46 AU cow/ha) and by 4–5% in the heavily grazed plots (0.69–0.92 AU cow/ha). Also it was found that soil moisture was significantly positively correlated with inorganic N, Amin, Ramm and Rmin and significantly negatively correlated with Rnit, while soil temperature exhibited the opposite effect. The obtained results demonstrated net nitrogen mineralization and ammonium rates, which were strongly linked to grazing intensity, soil temperature and soil moisture.

Autores y editores

Author(s), editor(s), contributor(s): 

Yan, R.
Yang, G.
Chen, B.
Yan, Y.
Xin, X.
Li, L.
Zhu, X.
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
China Agricultural University

Corporate Author(s): 

Bioversity International is a global research-for-development organization. We have a vision – that agricultural biodiversity nourishes people and sustains the planet.

We deliver scientific evidence, management practices and policy options to use and safeguard agricultural and tree biodiversity to attain sustainable global food and nutrition security.

We work with partners in low-income countries in different regions where agricultural and tree biodiversity can contribute to improved nutrition, resilience, productivity and climate change adaptation.

Proveedor de datos

CGIAR (CGIAR)

CGIAR is the only worldwide partnership addressing agricultural research for development, whose work contributes to the global effort to tackle poverty, hunger and major nutrition imbalances, and environmental degradation.


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