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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2023, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (11): 212-222.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2023033

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Effect of abnormal precipitation on the diversity of plant functional groups on the desert steppe under different stocking rates

Jiang-wen LI1,2(), Jing-hong PEI1,2, Guo-dong HAN3(), Bang-yin HE1,2, Cai LI1   

  1. 1.College of Life Sciences,Yan’an University,Yan’an 716000,China
    2.Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube,Yan’an University,Yan’an 716000,China
    3.Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education of China,Hohhot 010020,China
  • Received:2023-02-01 Revised:2023-04-06 Online:2023-11-20 Published:2023-09-27
  • Contact: Guo-dong HAN

Abstract:

Plant functional groups play an important role in grassland ecosystem functions. There are various classification standards for functional groups, but the use of functional groups as a plant classification method still lacks theoretical support. In the present study, the Stipa breviflora desert steppe in Inner Mongolia was studied to detect differences in community-weighted mean traits, species richness, and functional group diversity under different stocking rates, with an overall aim to explain the dynamic changes in plant functional groups. It was found that increased precipitation significantly increased the values of some community-weighted mean traits (plant height, width of the clump crown, density, individual biomass, leaf area, and specific leaf area) and significantly decreased the values of others (leaf biomass and individual leaf mass) (P<0.05). The values of the community-weighted mean traits of plant height, width of clump crown, and stem biomass decreased significantly with increasing stocking rate, and heavy grazing resulted in a significant reduction in the community-weighted mean trait of density (P<0.05). Based on plant functional traits, 57 plants were divided into four plant functional groups. The diversity and species richness of plant functional groups were significantly higher in wet years than in dry years. The diversity and species richness of plant functional groups decreased significantly with increasing stocking rates (P<0.05). Overall, our results show that plants can be assigned to different functional groups according to their functional traits, and that increasing precipitation and decreasing the stocking rate can significantly increase the diversity and species richness of community functional groups. The responses of community-level plant functional traits on the desert steppe to increased precipitation and decreased stocking rate were consistent. However, the responses of individual plants with particular functional traits to different precipitation and stocking rates were not consistent. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for further research on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services on the desert steppe.

Key words: community weighted mean trait, abnormal precipitations, desert steppe, stocking rate, functional group diversity