Effects of plant diversity and community structure on ecosystem multifunctionality under different grazing potentials in the eastern Eurasian steppe

Baizhu Wang; Yuanjun Zhu; Xiaohui Yang; Dan Shan; Danyu Wang; Ya Tu; Zhongjie Shi; Tuvshintogtokh Indree

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173128

Effects of plant diversity and community structure on ecosystem multifunctionality under different grazing potentials in the eastern Eurasian steppe

Sci Total Environ. 2024 May 9:934:173128. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173128. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Baizhu Wang¹, Yuanjun Zhu², Xiaohui Yang¹, Dan Shan³, Danyu Wang¹, Ya Tu¹, Zhongjie Shi¹, Tuvshintogtokh Indree⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Desertification Studies, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China; Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China.
² Institute of Desertification Studies, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China; Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China. Electronic address: zhuyuanjun@caf.ac.cn.
³ College of Agriculture and Forestry, Hulun Buir University, Hulun Buir, 021000, China.
⁴ Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 13330, Mongolia.

PMID: 38734106
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173128

Abstract

Grazing potential represents the potential carrying capacity of steppe livestock production. Understanding the impact of changes in plant diversity and community structure on ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) at different grazing potentials is crucial for the sustainable management of steppe ecosystems. We examined the associations between plant diversity, community structure, above-ground ecosystem multifunctionality (AEMF), and below-ground ecosystem multifunctionality (BEMF) at various grazing potentials. Our assessment employed generalized linear mixed-effects models and structural equation models to determine the impact of these factors on ecosystem multifunctionality. Our study results indicated that ecosystem multifunctionality differed depending on the level of grazing potential and decreased as grazing potential declined. The impact of plant diversity and community structure on above- and below-ground ecosystem multifunctionality varied. Plant diversity and community structure correlated more with AEMF than BEMF. Plant diversity had the most significant effect on EMF under high grazing potential, while community structure had the greatest effect on EMF under moderate and low grazing potential. These improve our understanding of the correlation between steppe plant diversity, community structure, and above- and below-ground ecosystem multifunctionality. This understanding is necessary to develop strategies to increase plant diversity or regulate community structure and the sustainability of steppes.

Keywords: Community structure; Ecosystem multifunctionality; Plant diversity; Plant ecological network; Steppe grazing potential.