[Assessment on vegetation restoration capacity of several grassland ecosystems under destroyed disturbance in permafrost regions of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau]

Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao. 2008 Oct;19(10):2182-8.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Vegetation restoration capacity of disturbed grassland ecosystem is one of the important components in assessing the influence of human engineering activities on the grassland ecosystems in permafrost region of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. After comparing the features of vegetation communities, plant species diversity, grassland primary productivity, and economic group between disturbed and undisturbed communities, the comprehensive vegetation restoration capacity of several grassland communities under destroyed disturbance was assessed by using comprehensive assessment index. The results showed that the restoration of cover and community composition was obvious after 26 years natural restoration, being better for alpine steppes than for alpine meadows. However, the cover of disturbed communities was less than that of undisturbed communities. The restoration of plant species diversity in Stipa purpurea steppe was better than that in other grassland types. The biomass of standing plants restored from 0 to 148.8-489.6 g x m(-2), and that of Kobresia tibetica meadow was the highest (489.6 g x m(-2)). The palatable plants of disturbed communities were lower than those of undisturbed communities except for K. tibetica meadow, in which, the palatable plants were not changeable between disturbed and undisturbed communities. The comprehensive vegetation restoration capacity of alpine steppes was better than that of alpine meadows.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Altitude
  • China
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Monitoring*
  • Human Activities*
  • Ice Cover*
  • Poaceae / growth & development*