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Journal of Desert Research ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (1): 103-111.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2024.00097

Previous Articles    

The impact of grazing and precipitation on the emergence and survival of dominant plants in sandy grassland

Yuhui Hea,a(), Xinping Liua,c, Hongjiao Hua,c, Yuanzhi Xua,c   

  1. a.Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands /, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Lanzhou 730000,China
    b.Lanzhou Ecological Agriculture Experimental Research Station /, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Lanzhou 730000,China
    c.Naiman Desertification Research Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Lanzhou 730000,China
  • Received:2024-05-15 Revised:2024-10-14 Online:2025-01-20 Published:2025-01-13

Abstract:

Grazing seriously affects the growth and survival of plants in sandy grassland. To clarify whether the impact of grazing on plant seedlings varies with rainfall changes, our study investigated the effects of grazing on seedling emergence and survival of two dominant annual plants in dry and wet years in semi-arid sandy grasslands. The results showed that moderate grazing was beneficial for seedling emergence of the dominant grass plant Setaria viridis in both dry and wet years, while heavy grazing promoted the seedling emergence of the dominant forb plant Corispermum macrocarpum, especially in wet years. Whether in dry or wet years, the monthly emergence of S. viridis increased firstly, and then decreased, with peaking in May. However, the seedling emergence of C. macrocarpum decreased with time in wet years. There was no significant difference in individual survival and seedling survival rate of S. viridis among grazing intensities in both dry and wet years. While the seedling survival rate of C. macrocarpum decreased with grazing in both dry and wet years. However, the individuals of C. macrocarpum survived more in heavy grazed plots in wet years, and the individuals survived more in light grazed plots in dry years.

Key words: rainfall changes, grazing disturbance, dominant plants, seedling emergence, individual survival

CLC Number: