Biomass allocation patterns in the temperate typical steppe of Inner Mongolia

doi:10.11686/cyxb2016214

Abstract

Abstract: Grasslands are one of the most widespread landscapes worldwide, covering approximately one-fifth of the world’s land surface. China’s grasslands cover only 6%-8% of total grassland area worldwide, but contain 9%-16% of the total carbon stored in the world’s grasslands. Although some progress has been made in monitoring and understanding the factors affecting carbon partitioning, the role of species composition in carbon partitioning is still not fully understood. In this study, we evaluated the biomass distribution patterns and other vegetation indexes in several different steppes, including the Hulunbuir, Horqin, and Xilinguole Steppes. Unlike the random sampling method used in other studies, our study used a stratified sampling method to sample different communities in the typical steppes of northern China. The average biomass carbon density was 400.56 g C/m² in the typical temperate steppe. Among the different plant communities, Leymus chinensis-cluster (585.18 g C/m²), Artemisia frigida-others (505.68 g C/m²) and Stipa krylovii (501.45 g C/m²) had the highest belowground biomass (BGB). The temperate typical steppe contributed 112.76 Tg biomass carbon with an area of 32.26×10⁶ hm², where the aboveground biomass was 20.42 Tg and the BGB was 92.34 Tg. The root∶shoot ratio in the temperate typical steppe was 4.52, which was higher than those of other grassland types. There were two types of BGB distribution: the exponential function type, in which the BGB was mainly distributed at a soil depth of 0-10 cm; and the quadratic function type. The BGB distribution showed the exponential function type in the Cleistogenes squarrosa, S. krylovii, L. chinensis-cluster, L. chinensis-forbs, S. grandis, and Agropyron cristatum communities. The BGB distribution showed the quadratic function type in the A. frigida-C. squarrosa, A. frigida-others, and A. halodendron communities. Evaluation of grassland biomass carbon storage in different grassland communities can clarify the dynamics of carbon storage. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for developing management strategies and designing research on natural grasslands in northern China.

HU Fei-Long, YAN Yan, LIU Li, CAO Yun, MA Yue, CHEN Meng-Meng, LIU Zhi-Min. Biomass allocation patterns in the temperate typical steppe of Inner Mongolia[J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2017, 26(4): 33-42.

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