Effects of soil nitrogen content and rainfall on vegetation productivity in semi-arid sandy grassland

doi:10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2025.00197

Journal of Desert Research ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (4): 96-108.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2025.00197

Previous Articles Next Articles

Effects of soil nitrogen content and rainfall on vegetation productivity in semi-arid sandy grassland

Jing Zhang(), Xiaoan Zuo(), Peng Lv

State 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

Received:2025-05-23 Revised:2025-07-10 Online:2025-07-20 Published:2025-08-18
Contact: Xiaoan Zuo

Abstract

Abstract:

Rainfall variation and nitrogen addition significantly influenced the structure and function of grassland ecosystems in semi-arid regions. To elucidate their effects on vegetation community characteristics， soil physicochemical properties， and the regulatory mechanisms underlying biomass formation， a field-controlled experiment was conducted in the sandy grassland of the Horqin Sandy Land during 2021 and 2022. Four rainfall treatments were applied during the growing season （May to September）： a 60% reduction （-60%） and a 60% increase （+60%） in precipitation. To further assess the effects of early-season extreme drought， two additional treatments were established： a 100% reduction for 60 days （-60d） and a 100% increase for 60 days （+60d） from May to June. A nitrogen addition treatment （20 g·m^-2 per year） was also included. The results revealed that changes in precipitation and nitrogen addition had significant but temporally inconsistent impacts on community structure， biodiversity indices， and soil physicochemical attributes. Rainfall reduction notably decreased vegetation cover and increased species density. Among the drought treatments， early-season extreme drought （-60d） imposed a stronger suppressive effect on aboveground biomass than whole-season rainfall reduction （-60%）. Nitrogen addition significantly enhanced vegetation cover and both above- and belowground biomass. However， it also reduced species richness， intensified interspecific competition， and facilitated the dominance of competitive species， resulting in decreased community diversity， lower evenness， and increased dominance. With respect to soil responses， nitrogen addition induced soil acidification， leading to a reduction in clay particle content. Under drought conditions， species with drought-tolerant or drought-avoiding traits and larger individuals became dominant， thereby enhancing community biomass. Nitrogen addition further promoted biomass accumulation by increasing vegetation cover and plant height. Overall， rainfall variability and nitrogen enrichment jointly reshaped vegetation structure， altered resource competition dynamics， and modified soil physicochemical processes， thereby exerting profound effects on the biomass formation mechanisms in semi-arid sandy grasslands.

Key words: semi-arid sandy grassland, rainfall variability, nitrogen addition, biomass

CLC Number:

Q945

Jing Zhang, Xiaoan Zuo, Peng Lv. Effects of soil nitrogen content and rainfall on vegetation productivity in semi-arid sandy grassland[J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2025, 45(4): 96-108.

Figures/Tables 10

References 50

[1]	IPCC.AR6 Synthesis Report：Climate Change 2023［R］.Cambridge，UK：Cambridge University Press，2023.
[2]	Montràs-Janer T， Suggitt A J， Fox R，et al.Anthropogenic climate and land-use change drive short-and long-term biodiversity shifts across taxa［J］.Nature Ecology & Evolution，2024，8（4）：831-831.
[3]	Liu H， Ren F R， Wan S Q，et al.Nitrogen and water additions with or without mowing altered soil microbial community characteristics in a semi-arid steppe［J］.Ecological Processes，2025，14（1）：3-19.
[4]	Gao T， Wang H X J， Zhou T J.Changes of extreme precipitation and nonlinear influence of climate variables over monsoon region in China［J］.Atmospheric Research，2017，197：379-389.
[5]	丁一汇.中国的气候变化及其预测［M］.北京：气象出版社，2016.
[6]	周波涛，钱进.IPCC AR6报告解读：极端天气气候事件变化［J］.气候变化研究进展，2021，17（6）：713-718.
[7]	李卓.植物多样性与全球变化因素对松嫩草地土壤多功能性的影响与机制［D］.长春：东北师范大学，2022.
[8]	Liu X， Zhang Y， Han W，et al.Enhanced nitrogen deposition over China［J］.Nature，2013，494（7438）：459-462.
[9]	Clark C M， Tilman D.Loss of plant species after chronic low-level nitrogen deposition to prairie grasslands［J］.Nature，2008，451（7179）：712-715.
[10]	周欣，左小安，赵学勇，等.半干旱沙地生境变化对植物地上生物量及其碳、氮储量的影响［J］.草业学报，2014，23（6）：36-44.
[11]	张腊梅，刘新平，赵学勇，等.科尔沁固定沙地植被特征对降雨变化的响应［J］.生态学报，2014，34（10）：2737-2745.
[12]	Zhou J， Fu B J， Gao G Y，et al.Effects of precipitation and restoration vegetation on soil erosion in a semi-arid environment in the Loess Plateau，China［J］.Catena，2016，137：1-11.
[13]	姜基春，王国强，郭宁，等.黄土高原4种植被带草本群落特征及其对降水变化的响应［J］.西北植物学报，2019，39（10）：1861-1867.
[14]	吴珂，徐文轩，杨维康.模拟短期降雨量变化对准噶尔荒漠植物群落的影响［J］.水土保持研究，2019，26（5）：100-106.
[15]	Han Y H， Dong S K， Zhao Z Z，et al.Response of soil nutrients and stoichiometry to elevated nitrogen deposition in alpine grassland on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau［J］.Geoderma，2019，343：263-268.
[16]	Liu X C， Shi X M， Zhang S T.Soil abiotic properties and plant functional diversity co-regulate the impacts of nitrogen addition on ecosystem multifunctionality in an alpine meadow［J］.Science of the Total Environment，2021，780：146476.
[17]	Shi J B， Rahman M K U， Ma R N，et al.Effects of nitrogen enrichment on soil enzyme activities in grassland ecosystems in China：a multilevel meta-analysis［J］.Pedosphere，2025，35（1）：84-96.
[18]	Harpole W S， Sullivan L L， Lind E M，et al.Addition of multiple limiting resources reduces grassland diversity［J］.Nature，2016，537：93-96.
[19]	Zhou W X， Li C J， Fu B J，et al.Changes and drivers of vegetation productivity in China's drylands under climate change［J］.Environmental Research Letters，2024，19（11）：114001.
[20]	李元恒.内蒙古荒漠草原植物群落结构和功能对增温和氮素添加的响应［D］.呼和浩特：内蒙古农业大学，2014.
[21]	Liu X， Duan L， Mo J，et al.Nitrogen deposition and its ecological impact in China：an overview［J］.Environmental Pollution，2011，159（10）：2251-2264.
[22]	Yuan X B， Niu D C， Gherardi L A，et al.Linkages of stoichiometric imbalances to soil microbial respiration with increasing nitrogen addition：evidence from a long-term grassland experiment［J］.Soil Biology & Biochemistry，2019，138：107580.
[23]	贺星.养分添加对内蒙古草原生物量和多样性的影响［D］.呼和浩特：内蒙古大学，2014.
[24]	辛小娟.氮、磷添加对亚高山草甸地上/地下生物量分配及植物功能群组成的影响［D］.兰州：兰州大学，2011.
[25]	张继义，赵哈林，张铜会，等.科尔沁沙地植被恢复系列上群落演替与物种多样性的恢复动态［J］.植物生态学报，2004，28（1）：86-92.
[26]	Lv P， Sun S S， Li Y Q，et al.Plant composition change mediates climate drought，nitrogen addition，and grazing effects on soil net nitrogen mineralization in a semi-arid grassland in North China［J］.Science of the Total Environment，2024，908.
[27]	张晶，左小安.沙质草地植物功能性状对放牧，增水，氮添加及其耦合效应的响应机制［J］.生态学报，2021，41（18）：7153-7167.
[28]	张丽芳，胡海林.土壤酸碱性对植物生长影响的研究进展［J］.贵州农业科学，2020，48 （8）：40-43.
[29]	Cao W J， Li Y Q， Chen Y，et al.Spatial patterns of soil stoichiometry and their responses to land use in a desertified area：a case study of China's Horqin Sandy Land［J］.Land Degradation & Development，2024，35（1）：350-359.
[30]	孙一梅，田青，郭爱霞，等.水、氮施用量对科尔沁沙地植被特征和叶性状的影响［J］.中国沙漠，2020，40（6）：223-232.
[31]	周欣，左小安，赵学勇，等.科尔沁沙地中南部34种植物叶功能性状及其相互关系［J］.中国沙漠，2015，35（6）：1489-1495.
[32]	王明明，刘新平，何玉惠，等.科尔沁沙质草地生物量积累过程对降水变化的响应模拟［J］.生态学报，2020，40（11）：3656-3665.
[33]	周欣扬.降水变化对典型草原土壤特征及植物群落结构的影响［D］.银川：宁夏大学，2023.
[34]	许艺馨.降水量对荒漠草原土壤呼吸的影响机制研究［D］.银川：宁夏大学，2022.
[35]	李晓辉.沙质草地植物群落特征和土壤质量对氮磷养分添加的响应［D］.兰州：兰州交通大学，2021.
[36]	张蕊，赵学勇，李刚，等.干旱半干旱区草地植物-土壤响应降水和管理措施的研究综述［J］.中国沙漠，2025，45（1）：131-140.
[37]	Bai Y F， Wu J G， Clark C M，et al.Tradeoffs and thresholds in the effects of nitrogen addition on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning：evidence from Inner Mongolia Grasslands［J］.Global Change Biology，2010，16（1）：358-372.
[38]	张彦东，沈有信，刘文耀.金沙江干旱河谷退化草地群落对氮磷施肥的反应［J］.植物研究，2004，24（1）：59-64.
[39]	Wang J F， Knops J M H， Brassil C E，et al.Increased productivity in wet years drives a decline in ecosystem stability with nitrogen additions in arid grasslands ［J］.Ecology，2017，98（7）：1779-1786.
[40]	杨倩，王娓，曾辉.氮添加对内蒙古退化草地植物群落多样性和生物量的影响［J］.植物生态学报，2018，42（4）：430-441
[41]	徐锰瑶，李雪华，刘思洋，等.围封和水氮添加对重度退化草地植物多样性的影响［J］.生态环境学报，2020，29（9）：1730-1737.
[42]	Zhang J， Zuo X A， Zhao X Y，et al.Effects of rainfall manipulation and nitrogen addition on plant biomass allocation in a semiarid sandy grassland［J］.Scientific Reports，2020，10：9026.
[43]	詹瑾，丛安琪，李玉霖，等.长期氮沉降和地上凋落物处理对半干旱区沙质草地表层土壤碳氮组分的影响［J］.水土保持学报，2023，37（4）：227-234.
[44]	吴传敬，张雨雪，肖杨，等.气候和植被影响土壤理化性质及微生物对氮添加的响应全球控制实验Meta分析［J］.生态学报，2025，45（5）：2152-2161.
[45]	肖胜生.温带半干旱草地生态系统碳固定及土壤有机碳库对外源氮输入的响应［D］.北京：中国科学院，2010.
[46]	Thomey M L， Collins S L， Vargas R，et al.Effect of precipita tion variability on net primary production and soil respiration in a Chihuahuan Desert grassland［J］.Global Change Biology，2011，17（4）：1505-1515.
[47]	何毅.水氮添加对毛乌素沙地柠条固沙区草本层植被和土壤特征的影响［D］.银川：宁夏大学，2022.
[48]	Delgado-Baquerizo M， Maestre F T， Reich P B，et al.Microbial diversity drives multifunctionality in terrestrial ecosystems［J］.Nature Communications，2016，7：10541.
[49]	Chen W Q， Wang J Y， Chen X，et al.Soil microbial network complexity predicts ecosystem function along elevation gradients on the Tibetan Plateau［J］.Soil Biology & Biochemistry，2022，172：108766.
[50]	Lv P， Sun S S， Li Y Q，et al.Growing-season drought and nitrogen addition interactively impair grassland ecosystem stability by reducing species diversity，asynchrony，and stability［J］.Science of the Total Environment，2023，912：169122.

月份	2021年					2022年
月份	CK	-60d	+60d	-60%	+60%	CK	-60d	+60d	-60%	+60%
合计	316.6	227.2	406.0	126.64	506.56	380.00	191.6	568.4	152.00	608.00
5	8.4	0.0	16.8	3.36	13.44	15.40	0.0	30.8	6.16	24.64
6	81.0	0.0	162.0	32.40	129.60	173.00	0.0	346.0	69.20	276.80
7	159.0	159.0	159.0	63.60	254.40	50.40	50.4	50.4	20.16	80.64
8	68.2	68.2	68.2	27.28	109.12	141.20	141.2	141.2	56.48	225.92

月份	2021年					2022年
月份	CK	-60d	+60d	-60%	+60%	CK	-60d	+60d	-60%	+60%
合计	316.6	227.2	406.0	126.64	506.56	380.00	191.6	568.4	152.00	608.00
5	8.4	0.0	16.8	3.36	13.44	15.40	0.0	30.8	6.16	24.64
6	81.0	0.0	162.0	32.40	129.60	173.00	0.0	346.0	69.20	276.80
7	159.0	159.0	159.0	63.60	254.40	50.40	50.4	50.4	20.16	80.64
8	68.2	68.2	68.2	27.28	109.12	141.20	141.2	141.2	56.48	225.92

处理	盖度	物种丰富度	密度	AGB	BGB	凋落物量	H	D	J
降雨	13.28^**	2.14	2.35	3.67^*	3.61^*	7.29^**	0.84	1.29	1.91
加氮	25.46^**	10.20^**	1.98	21.98^**	10.63^**	2.02	23.29^**	29.26^**	18.70^**
年	27.67^**	19.18^**	18.61^**	16.01^**	18.15^**	3.15	17.39^**	12.85^**	2.02
降雨×加氮	1.90	1.44	1.72	2.22	1.87	1.02	1.03	1.46	2.82
降雨×年	1.52	0.66	3.74^*	0.41	0.91	1.19	1.39	1.44	2.40
加氮×年	0.13	0.30	0.53	3.05	0.70	0.18	0.85	2.37	1.61
降雨×加氮×年	0.33	0.39	1.06	0.24	0.39	0.19	0.20	0.44	0.56

处理	盖度	物种丰富度	密度	AGB	BGB	凋落物量	H	D	J
降雨	13.28^**	2.14	2.35	3.67^*	3.61^*	7.29^**	0.84	1.29	1.91
加氮	25.46^**	10.20^**	1.98	21.98^**	10.63^**	2.02	23.29^**	29.26^**	18.70^**
年	27.67^**	19.18^**	18.61^**	16.01^**	18.15^**	3.15	17.39^**	12.85^**	2.02
降雨×加氮	1.90	1.44	1.72	2.22	1.87	1.02	1.03	1.46	2.82
降雨×年	1.52	0.66	3.74^*	0.41	0.91	1.19	1.39	1.44	2.40
加氮×年	0.13	0.30	0.53	3.05	0.70	0.18	0.85	2.37	1.61
降雨×加氮×年	0.33	0.39	1.06	0.24	0.39	0.19	0.20	0.44	0.56

处理	土壤含水量	pH	电导率	容重	黏粉粒	土壤碳	土壤氮
降雨	2.44	0.21	0.82	2.36	0.68	0.57	0.53
加氮	0.97	59.35^**	1.75	0.55	4.96^*	0.13	3.11
年	20.38^**	45.80^**	9.60^**	0.27	10.81^**	5.77^*	10.09^**
降雨×加氮	0.78	1.42	0.28	1.97	0.34	0.39	0.31
降雨×年	0.99	1.20	0.96	1.72	2.41	0.55	0.60
加氮×年	0.03	4.36^*	2.17	1.89	2.16	0.07	0.04
降雨×加氮×年	1.26	0.80	0.54	0.58	0.74	0.22	0.05

Effects of soil nitrogen content and rainfall on vegetation productivity in semi-arid sandy grassland

RichHTML

PDF

Knowledge

Abstract

Cite this article

share this article

Figures/Tables 10

References 50

Related Articles 15

Recommended Articles

Metrics

Comments

[1]	Bo Yao, Jie Lian, Xiangwen Gong, Xiaoming Mou, Yulin Li, Yuqiang Li, Xuyang Wang. Spatial patterns and influencing factors of soil microbial carbon， nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry in Horqin Sandy Land [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2025, 45(4): 153-165.
[2]	Jiaqi Jing, Xinping Liu, Yuhui He, Jie Feng, Hongjiao Hu, Yuanzhi Xu. Responces of plant community construction in semi-arid sandy grassland to precipitation changes [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2025, 45(4): 314-323.
[3]	Jiaqi Jing, Xinping Liu, Yuhui He, Jie Feng, Hongjiao Hu, Yuanzhi Xu, Yao Zhang. Influence of precipitation on soil enzyme activity in sandy grasslands [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2025, 45(4): 368-377.
[4]	Jia Ding, Yiyun Tang, Lei Li, Hongyu Yang, Zeqi Zhang, Jun Wang, Shuchang Yu, Jinchao Feng, Sha Shi, Haotian Yang. Effects of soil water and nitrogen content on Artemisia gansuensis， Lespedeza bicolor and Stipa capillata in the Ningxia Desert Steppe [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2025, 45(3): 271-282.
[5]	Yuqian Li, Xuyang Wang, Hongdong Lin, Xiaoming Mou, Weiyuan Liu, Jie Lian, Yuqiang Li. Effects of altitude gradient on soil microbial carbon， nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometric characteristics in Maxian Mountain ecosystem [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2025, 45(1): 151-161.
[6]	Lili Bao, Jinrong Li, Zhaoen Han, Yue Liu, Haodong Shan. Estimation of aboveground biomass of Haloxylon ammodendron based on UAV multi-source data [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2024, 44(5): 50-59.
[7]	Chengyang Li, Yingyi Huang, Qiance Lin, Linli Shen, Shiying Luo, Zhihui Liang, Zhenming Li, Fei Peng, Xian Xue. Response of livestock carrying capacity of alpine meadows in the source area of the Yangtze River to simulated warming during the growth season [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2024, 44(4): 165-173.
[8]	Tianling Bao, Jiliang Liu, Feng Yuan, Yinlong Li, Zhenyu Jia, Chengchen Pan. Response of plant community to experimental warming in Horqin Sandy Land [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2024, 44(1): 151-160.
[9]	Jing Zhang, Xiaoan Zuo, Peng Lv. Effects of nutrient and water content on leaf nitrogen recovery efficiency of dominant plants in sandy grasslands [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2024, 44(1): 161-169.
[10]	Kaiyuan Gan, Jinxia Zhang, Lijuan Chen, Haiyang Xi, Binwu Zhang, Tian Yong, Yuxi Wei. Characteristics and spatial differentiation of plant communities along the Yellow River in the Ulan Buh Desert [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2023, 43(4): 180-190.
[11]	Bingjie Jiao, Bingchang Zhang, Kang Zhao, Lixia Yan, Zhifang Wu. Promoting effect of biological soil crusts succession on soil nitrogen transformation and microbial activity in water-wind erosion crisscross region of Loess Plateau [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2023, 43(4): 191-199.
[12]	Peiyuan Wang, Haotian Yang, Xue Zhang, Bingqing Liu, Yunfei Li, Qi Jiang, Zhanjun Wang, Xudong Wu, Lichao Liu. Response of module biomass allocation of Agropyron mongolicum var. mongolicum to soil types [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2023, 43(2): 74-84.
[13]	Juntuan Zhai, Xiangxiang Chen, Xiu Li, Shanhe Zhang, Xiaoli Han, Zhijun Li. Sexual dimorphism in allometric growth relationship between branch and leaf traits of Populus euphratica with changes in developmental stage and canopy height [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2023, 43(1): 116-127.
[14]	Xiaole Li, Xiaohong Dang, Bo Zhai, Yajuan Wei, Xu Chi, Huimin Wu. Adventitious root architecture and growth characteristics of Nitraria tangutorum shrub [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2022, 42(4): 172-180.
[15]	Huaihai Wang, Wenda Huang, Yuanzheng He, Yayi Niu, Yuanzhong Zhu. Effects of short-term warming and precipitation reduction on soil microbial biomass carbon， nitrogen and enzyme activity in sandy grassland [J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2022, 42(3): 274-281.