Ecosystem services relationship characteristics of the degraded alpine shrub meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Abstract

Alpine shrub meadows hold significant importance as grassland ecosystems on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). They provide a range of vital ecosystem services (ESs) and are commonly utilized as summer pastures by herders, resulting in short grazing periods and high grazing intensities. Unfortunately, these practices have led to varying degrees of degradation, thereby affecting the sustainable provision of ESs. However, the current knowledge regarding changes in ESs and their characteristics under the influence of degradation, particularly the differences between alpine shrub and alpine meadow ecosystems, is insufficient. To address this gap, this study aimed to investigate and analyse changes in four ESs within alpine shrub meadows across different levels of degradation, as well as explore their relationships. The research was conducted in a summer pasture located in the northeastern QTP. The findings revealed a substantial reduction of 85.9% in forage supply due to degradation in alpine shrub meadows. Moreover, regulating services experienced a decline followed by an increase in instances of heavy degradation. Trade-offs were observed between provisioning and regulating services, while synergistic relationships were identified among different regulating services. Degradation exacerbated imbalances between provisioning and regulating services, whereas light degradation allowed for a better equilibrium between the two. Comparatively, alpine meadows exhibited higher levels of forage supply and carbon storage services, whereas alpine shrub ecosystems displayed greater nutrient supply and water retention services. It was observed that changes in ESs and relationship patterns within alpine shrub meadows were significantly influenced by the presence of alpine meadows. Consequently, safeguarding the structural integrity of alpine meadows and addressing conflicts over ESs is essential to ensure coordination and sustainability of ESs within alpine shrub meadows. The outcomes of this study provide valuable insights for ecosystem management and ecological restoration initiatives in alpine shrub meadows on the QTP.

Keywords: Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau; alpine shrub meadow; ecosystem service; grassland degradation; trade‐off.