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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2023, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (4): 208-220.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2022160

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Progress in research on the effects of grazing on grassland litter decomposition

Ao JIANG1(), Lu-huai JING1, Tserang-donko MIPAM2, Li-ming TIAN1()   

  1. 1.Key Laboratory for Bio-resource and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education,Sichuan Zoige Alpine Wetland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station,College of Life Sciences,Sichuan University,Chengdu 610065,China
    2.Sichuan Zoige Alpine Wetland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station,Institute of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau,Southwest Minzu University,Chengdu 610041,China
  • Received:2022-04-12 Revised:2022-06-08 Online:2023-04-20 Published:2023-01-29
  • Contact: Li-ming TIAN

Abstract:

Grazing, as one of the major land-use types in grassland ecosystems, regulates litter decomposition through altering the soil environment, biotic and abiotic factors, and litter quantity and quality, thus affecting nutrient cycling and energy flow. However, there is still much to learn about how grazing affects litter decomposition in grasslands and the microbial mechanisms related to this process. In this study, we conducted a bibliometric analysis and literature review to provide an overview of research on grazing and its effects on litter decomposition. The progress and deficiencies of research on the effects of grazing on litter decomposition in grasslands were clarified from three aspects, i.e., the soil environment (e.g., soil moisture, soil temperature, bulk density, light, and pH), microbial activity (e.g., community structure, nutrients, and home-field advantage), and litter quality (plant community structure, plant diversity, and litter quality). We summarized the results of studies on the effects of grazing-induced changes in litter decomposition on nutrient cycling. On the basis of our findings, we propose several future research directions: 1) Construct a network of long-term experiments in which grazing intensity is manipulated; 2) Explore the mechanisms by which grazing affects the litter decomposition of roots with varying diameters; 3) Determine the effects of grazing on mixed-species litter decomposition; 4) Identify the key processes and mechanisms by which grazing affects litter decomposition from a systematic perspective that integrates plant-litter-soil and environment-microorganisms; and 5) Determine the synergistic effects of grazing and global change on litter decomposition. This study provides a scientific basis for understanding how global change will affect litter decomposition and the mechanisms underlying the maintenance and sustainable development of ecosystem services in grasslands.

Key words: grazing, grassland ecosystem, litter decomposition, soil microorganism, litter quality, nutrient cycling