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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2015, Vol. 24 ›› Issue (1): 12-20.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150103

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Soil conservation function and its spatial distribution of grassland ecosystems in Xilin River Basin, Inner Mongolia

ZHANG Xuefeng1, NIU Jianming1, 2, *, ZHANG Qing1, DONG Jianjun1, ZHANG Jing1, 3   

  1. 1.College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China;
    2.Sino-US Center for Conservation, Energy, and Sustainability Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China;
    3.College of Environment and Resources, Dalian Nationalities University, Dalian 116600, China
  • Received:2013-12-18 Online:2015-01-20 Published:2015-01-20

Abstract: Grasslands represent the most extensive ecosystems on earth. Soil conservation is vital for maintaining grassland ecosystem services. Using RS and GIS technologies, the soil conservation function and its spatial distribution characteristics in grassland ecosystems of the Xilin River Basin, Inner Mongolia, China, are assessed using the RUSLE model. The results show that the quantity of soil conserved was 168.18 t/ha, and 1.65×108 t/a across the whole basin. The spatial variation of soil conservation capability reveals a declining trend from upper to lower catchment areas. The meadow steppe had the highest soil conservation capability, followed by farmland and typical steppe; sandy soils had the poorest capability. The soil conservation capability of grassland ecosystems increased non-linearly with increasing vegetation coverage. Sustaining grassland ecosystem services in the Xilin River Basin can be achieved by increasing vegetation coverage, while maintaining the structure and function of the typical steppe.