Effects of plateau pika （Ochotona curzoniae） disturbance on the relationship between plant species diversity and soil ecological stoichiometry in alpine meadows

doi:10.11686/cyxb2022271

Abstract

Abstract:

The relationship between plant species diversity and soil ecological stoichiometry is key to maintaining plant community structure in grasslands. Although plateau pika （Ochotona curzoniae） disturbance has been reported to have impacts on plant species diversity and soil C， N and P contents， whether plateau pika disturbance influences the relationship between plant species diversity and soil ecological stoichiometry in alpine meadows is not yet well documented. In this study， an experimental survey in the Gannan area of Gansu Province and the Qinghai Lake basins of Qinghai Province was conducted to investigate the effects of plateau pika disturbance on plant species diversity， soil ecological stoichiometry and their relationship in alpine meadows. In this research， paired-plots were used to collect data and soil samples. The results of this study showed that plateau pika disturbance significantly increased species richness index， soil organic carbon， total nitrogen， total phosphorus contents， soil C∶N and C∶P （P<0.05）， but had no significant effect on species diversity index， species evenness index and soil N∶P. In addition， plateau pika disturbance increased the positive correlation of species richness index and species diversity index with soil C∶N （P<0.05） and weakened the positive correlation between species richness index and soil C∶P （P<0.05）. The relationship between species diversity index and soil C∶P changed from a logarithmic relationship in the absence of plateau pikas to a quadratic relationship in the presence of plateau pikas （P<0.05）， and the relationship between species richness index and soil N∶P changed from an insignificant correlation in the absence of plateau pikas into a significant negative correlation with a quadratic function in the presence plateau pikas （P<0.05）. The relationship between species diversity index and soil N∶P was a significant positive correlation with a quadratic function in absence of plateau pikas， and became an insignificant correlation in the presence of plateau pikas （P<0.05）. The findings of this study verify that plateau pika disturbance has impacts on the relationship between plant species diversity and soil ecological stoichiometry. Our research provides basic information on multiple parameters， relevant to maintenance of plant community structure in alpine meadows in the presence of plateau pikas.

Key words: plateau pika disturbance, alpine meadow, plant species diversity, soil ecological stoichiometry, correlation

Cai-feng LIU, Yuan-yuan DUAN, Ling-ling WANG, Yi-mo WANG, Zheng-gang GUO. Effects of plateau pika （Ochotona curzoniae） disturbance on the relationship between plant species diversity and soil ecological stoichiometry in alpine meadows[J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2023, 32(6): 157-166.

Figures/Tables 4

References 40

1	Harrison K A， Bardgett R D. Influence of plant species and soil conditions on plant-soil feedback in mixed grassland communities. Journal of Ecology， 2010， 98（2）： 384-395.
2	Liu S， Zamanian K， Schleuss P M， et al. Degradation of Tibetan grasslands： Consequences for carbon and nutrient cycles. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment， 2018， 252： 93-104.
3	Chen J Q， Zhang R， Hou Y C， et al. Relationships between species diversity and C， N and P ecological stoichiometry in plant communities of sub-alpine meadow. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology， 2013， 37（11）： 979-987.
	陈军强，张蕊，侯尧宸，等. 亚高山草甸植物群落物种多样性与群落C、N、P生态化学计量的关系. 植物生态学报， 2013， 37（11）： 979-987.
4	Sardans J， Penuelas J. The role of plants in the effects of global change on nutrient availability and stoichiometry in the plant-soil system. Plant Physiology， 2012， 160（4）： 1741-1761.
5	Ning Z Y， Li Y L， Yang H L， et al. Stoichiometry and effects of carbon， nitrogen， and phosphorus in soil of desertified grasslands on community productivity and species diversity. Acta Ecologica Sinica， 2019， 39（10）： 3537-3546.
	宁志英，李玉霖，杨红玲，等. 沙化草地土壤碳氮磷化学计量特征及其对植被生产力和多样性的影响. 生态学报， 2019， 39（10）： 3537-3546.
6	Rajaniemi T K. Why does fertilization reduce plant species diversity？ Testing three competition-based hypotheses. Journal of Ecology， 2002， 90（2）： 316-324.
7	Li X P， Li J H， Liu Y G， et al. The vegetation and soil microorganism characteristics of different degraded grassland in Gannan Steppe. Acta Agrestia Sinica， 2020， 28（5）： 1252-1259.
	李雪萍，李建宏，刘永刚，等. 甘南草原不同退化草地植被和土壤微生物特性. 草地学报， 2020， 28（5）： 1252-1259.
8	Yang X X， Li M Q， He X D， et al. Effects of soil C∶N∶P ratio on species diversity of preliminary plant communities on sandy land. Acta Pedologica Sinica， 2019， 56（1）： 242-249.
	杨祥祥，李梦琦，何兴东，等. 沙地土壤C∶N∶P比对早期植物群落物种多样性的影响. 土壤学报， 2019， 56（1）： 242-249.
9	Zhao F Z， Kang D， Han X H， et al. Soil stoichiometry and carbon storage in long-term afforestation soil affected by understory vegetation diversity. Ecological Engineering， 2015， 74： 415-422.
10	Liu W C， Fu S Y， Yan S J， et al. Responses of plant community to the linkages in plant-soil C∶N∶P stoichiometry during secondary succession of abandoned farmlands， China. Journal of Arid Land， 2020， 12（2）： 215-226.
11	Nie Y Y， Chen J Q， Xin X P， et al. Responses of niche characteristics and species diversity of main plant populations to duration of enclosure in the Hulun Buir meadow steppe. Acta Prataculturae Sinica， 2021， 30（10）： 15-25.
	聂莹莹，陈金强，辛晓平，等. 呼伦贝尔草甸草原区主要植物种群生态位特征与物种多样性对封育年限响应. 草业学报， 2021， 30（10）： 15-25.
12	Zhang Y， Dong S K， Gao Q Z， et al. Responses of alpine vegetation and soils to the disturbance of plateau pika （Ochotona curzoniae） at burrow level on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau of China. Ecological Engineering， 2016， 88： 232-236.
13	Dobson F S， Smith A T， Gao W X. Social and ecological influences on dispersal and philopatry in the plateau pika （Ochotona curzoniae）. Behavioral Ecology， 1998， 9（6）： 622-635.
14	Davidson A D， Detling J K， Brown J H. Ecological roles and conservation challenges of social， burrowing， herbivorous mammals in the world’s grasslands. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment， 2012， 10（9）： 477-486.
15	Zhang W N， Wang Q， Zhang J， et al. Clipping by plateau pikas and impacts to plant community. Rangeland Ecology & Management， 2020， 73（3）： 368-374.
16	Pang X P， Guo Z G. Plateau pika disturbances alter plant productivity and soil nutrients in alpine meadows of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau， China. The Rangeland Journal， 2017， 39（2）： 133-144.
17	Wang Q， Guo Z G， Pang X P， et al. Effects of small-herbivore disturbance on the clonal growth of two perennial graminoids in alpine meadows. Alpine Botany， 2020， 130（2）： 115-127.
18	Sun F D， Chen W Y， Liu L， et al. Effects of plateau pika activities on seasonal plant biomass and soil properties in the alpine meadow ecosystems of the Tibetan Plateau. Grassland Science， 2015， 61（4）： 195-203.
19	Xu H P， Yu C， Shu C C， et al. The effect of plateau pika disturbance on plant community diversity and stability in an alpine meadow. Acta Prataculturae Sinica， 2019， 28（5）： 90-99.
	徐海鹏，于成，舒朝成，等. 高原鼠兔干扰对高寒草甸植物群落多样性和稳定性的影响. 草业学报， 2019， 28（5）： 90-99.
20	Jin S H， Liu T， Pang X P， et al. Effects of plateau pika （Ochotona curzoniae） disturbances on plant species diversity and aboveground plant biomass in a Kobresia pygmaea meadow in the Qinghai Lake Region. Acta Prataculturae Sinica， 2017， 26（5）： 29-39.
	金少红，刘彤，庞晓攀，等. 高原鼠兔干扰对青海湖流域高山嵩草草甸植物多样性及地上生物量的影响. 草业学报， 2017， 26（5）： 29-39.
21	Song X Z， Mi M W D. Study on difference of plant community characteristics between Ochotona curzoniae disturbed and non disturbed in an alpine meadow ecosystem. Heilongjiang Agricultural Sciences， 2021（7）： 28-34.
	宋璇紫，米玛旺堆. 高寒草甸生态系统中高原鼠兔干扰与非干扰的植物群落特征差异研究. 黑龙江农业科学， 2021（7）： 28-34.
22	Wei X X， Guo Z G. Effect of plateau pika disturbance on plant aboveground biomass of alpine meadows at two different scales. Plants， 2022， 11（17）： 2266.
23	Li Q Q， Zhao X， Guo Z G. Effect of available burrow densities of plateau pika （Ochotona curzoniae） on leaf nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry of dominant plants and soil in alpine meadow. Acta Ecologica Sinica， 2014， 34（5）： 1212-1223.
	李倩倩，赵旭，郭正刚. 高原鼠兔有效洞穴密度对高寒草甸优势植物叶片和土壤氮磷化学计量特征的影响. 生态学报， 2014， 34（5）： 1212-1223.
24	Pang X P， Yang H， Wei X X， et al. Effect of plateau pika （Ochotona curzoniae） bioturbation on soil C-N-P stoichiometry in alpine meadows. Geoderma， 2021， 397： 115098.
25	Chen J J， Yi S H， Qin Y. The contribution of plateau pika disturbance and erosion on patchy alpine grassland soil on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau： Implications for grassland restoration. Geoderma， 2017， 297： 1-9.
26	Bian J H， Jing Z C， Fan N C， et al. Influence of cover on habitat utilization of plateau pika （Ochotona curzoniae）. Acta Theriologica Sinica， 1999， 19（3）： 52-60.
	边疆晖，景增春，樊乃昌，等. 地表覆盖物对高原鼠兔栖息地利用的影响. 兽类学报， 1999， 19（3）： 52-60.
27	Du J X， Sun Y， Xiang B， et al. Potential distribution of plateau pika and its influence factors in the source region of the Yellow River Basin using BIOMOD. Pratacultural Science， 2019， 36（4）： 1074-1083.
	杜嘉星，孙义，向波，等. 基于BIOMOD的黄河源区高原鼠兔潜在分布及其影响因子. 草业科学， 2019， 36（4）： 1074-1083.
28	Shi S L. Technical guide for lawn work. Beijing： Golden Shield Press， 2009： 65-71.
	师尚礼. 草地工作技术指南. 北京：金盾出版社， 2009： 65-71.
29	Lu R K. Analytical methods for soil and agro-chemistry. Beijing： China Agricultural Science and Technology Press， 2000： 228-264.
	鲁如坤. 土壤农业化学分析方法. 北京：中国农业科技出版社， 2000： 228-264.
30	Lara N， Sassi P， Borghi C E. Effect of herbivory and disturbances by tuco-tucos （Ctenomys mendocinus） on a plant community in the southern Puna desert. Arctic， Antarctic， and Alpine Research， 2007， 39（1）： 110-116.
31	Qin Y， Yi S H， Ding Y J， et al. Effect of plateau pika disturbance and patchiness on ecosystem carbon emissions in alpine meadow in the northeastern part of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Biogeosciences， 2019， 16（6）： 1097-1109.
32	Smith A T， Foggin J M. The plateau pika （Ochotona curzoniae） is a keystone species for biodiversity on the Tibetan Plateau. Animal Conservation， 1999， 2（4）： 235-240.
33	Guo Z G， Wang G X， Shen Y Y， et al. Plant species diversity of grassland plant communities in permafrost regions of the northern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Acta Ecologica Sinica， 2004， 24（1）： 149-155.
	郭正刚，王根绪，沈禹颖，等. 青藏高原北部多年冻土区草地植物多样性. 生态学报， 2004， 24（1）： 149-155.
34	Yuan X， Qin W K， Chen Y， et al. Plateau pika offsets the positive effects of warming on soil organic carbon in an alpine swamp meadow on the Tibetan Plateau. Catena， 2021， 204： 105417.
35	Yu C， Jia T T， Pang X P， et al. Effects of plateau pika （Ochotona curzoniae） disturbing soil carbon and nitrogen distribution in alpine meadow. Acta Pedologica Sinica， 2016， 53（3）： 768-778.
	于成，贾婷婷，庞晓攀，等. 高原鼠兔干扰强度对高寒草甸土壤碳氮分布的影响. 土壤学报， 2016， 53（3）： 768-778.
36	Kirschbaum M U. The temperature dependence of soil organic matter decomposition， and the effect of global warming on soil organic C storage. Soil Biology and Biochemistry， 1995， 27（6）： 753-760.
37	Yang D X， Song L， Jin G Z. The soil C∶N∶P stoichiometry is more sensitive than the leaf C∶N∶P stoichiometry to nitrogen addition： a four-year nitrogen addition experiment in a Pinus koraiensis plantation. Plant and Soil， 2019， 442（1）： 183-198.
38	Li Y C， Yu H L， Wang P， et al. Effects of precipitation on plant community diversity and C∶N∶P ecological stoichiometry in a desert steppe of Ningxia， Northwestern China. Chinese Journal of Grassland， 2020， 42（1）： 117-126.
	李一春，余海龙，王攀，等. 降水量对荒漠草原植物群落多样性和C∶N∶P生态化学计量特征的影响. 中国草地学报， 2020， 42（1）： 117-126.
39	Liu J J， Yin Y L， Li S X， et al. Effects of different regulation measures on vegetation and soil of moderately degraded alpine meadow. Acta Agrestia Sinica， 2021， 29（9）： 2074-2080.
	刘晶晶，尹亚丽，李世雄，等. 不同调控措施对中度退化高寒草甸植被及土壤理化性质的影响. 草地学报， 2021， 29（9）： 2074-2080.
40	Zhang X Y. Effects of disturbance on aboveground vegetation diversity and soil in tundra zone of Changbai Mountain. Changchun： Jilin University， 2021.
	张相昱. 人为干扰对长白山苔原带地上植物多样性和土壤的影响研究. 长春：吉林大学， 2021.

项目 Item	指标 Index	未干扰 Un-disturbance			干扰 Disturbance
项目 Item	指标 Index	拟合方程 Fitting equations	R²	相关系数 Correlation coefficient	拟合方程 Fitting equations	R²	相关系数 Correlation coefficient
S	C∶N	y=0.0547x²-0.7449x+19.6670	0.482	0.685**	y=-0.0274x²+1.9452x-0.8634	0.613	0.782**
	C∶P	y=2.1837×10^-5x²+0.1229x+8.9858	0.557	0.746**	y=-0.0008x²+0.3151x-1.0087	0.345	0.570**
	N∶P	y=-0.4123x²+7.3034x-8.2235	0.130	0.336	y=0.5943x²-11.0680x+72.2034	0.255	-0.500**
H	C∶N	y=0.0016x²-0.0180x+2.6411	0.193	0.435*	y=0.0013x²-0.0250x+2.8493	0.327	0.566**
	C∶P	y=0.5741ln（x）+0.1307	0.379	0.615**	y=-2.8349×10^-5x²+0.0117x+1.8732	0.247	0.484**
	N∶P	y=-0.0323x²+0.5653x+0.4771	0.241	0.454*	y=0.0697x²-0.9999x+6.3859	0.095	-0.203

项目 Item	指标 Index	未干扰 Un-disturbance			干扰 Disturbance
项目 Item	指标 Index	拟合方程 Fitting equations	R²	相关系数 Correlation coefficient	拟合方程 Fitting equations	R²	相关系数 Correlation coefficient
S	C∶N	y=0.0547x²-0.7449x+19.6670	0.482	0.685**	y=-0.0274x²+1.9452x-0.8634	0.613	0.782**
	C∶P	y=2.1837×10^-5x²+0.1229x+8.9858	0.557	0.746**	y=-0.0008x²+0.3151x-1.0087	0.345	0.570**
	N∶P	y=-0.4123x²+7.3034x-8.2235	0.130	0.336	y=0.5943x²-11.0680x+72.2034	0.255	-0.500**
H	C∶N	y=0.0016x²-0.0180x+2.6411	0.193	0.435*	y=0.0013x²-0.0250x+2.8493	0.327	0.566**
	C∶P	y=0.5741ln（x）+0.1307	0.379	0.615**	y=-2.8349×10^-5x²+0.0117x+1.8732	0.247	0.484**
	N∶P	y=-0.0323x²+0.5653x+0.4771	0.241	0.454*	y=0.0697x²-0.9999x+6.3859	0.095	-0.203

[1]	Yu SUN, Yong-sheng YANG, Qi HE, Jun-bang WANG, Xiu-juan ZHANG, Hui-ting LI, Xing-liang XU, Hua-kun ZHOU, Yu-heng ZHANG. Responses of soil water conservation function and soil physicochemical properties to a range of degradation conditions in alpine meadows of the Three River Headwater Region [J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2023, 32(6): 16-29.
[2]	Li-li ZHU, Ye-meng ZHANG, Wan-cai LI, Ya-li ZHAO, Xiang LI, Zhi-guo CHEN. Adaption to the Plateau climate in Qinghai of 39 silage maize varieties cultivated in different ecological regions of China [J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2023, 32(4): 68-78.
[3]	Xiao-long WANG, Zhao YANG, Yong-cai LAI, Hong LI, Peng ZHONG, Yan-xia XU, Hua CHAI, Sha-sha LI, Yue WU, Min-chao SONG, Jing-ming ZHOU. Effect of root traits of Medicago sativa lines with fall dormancy on overwintering [J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2023, 32(1): 144-153.
[4]	Rui-qiang LI, Yu-xiang WANG, Yu-lan SUN, Lei ZHANG, Ai-ping CHEN. Effects of salt stress on the growth， physiology， and biochemistry of five Bromus inermis varieties [J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2023, 32(1): 99-111.
[5]	Guo-hong YOU, Dan LIU, Yan-li WANG, Chang-ting WANG. Response of plant leaf ecological stoichiometric characteristics to long-term nitrogen addition in alpine meadow [J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2022, 31(9): 50-62.
[6]	Yan PENG, Jing-yuan SUN, Su-jie MA, Xiang-tao WANG, Xue-hong WEI, Lei SUN. Plant community composition and soil nutrient status of degraded alpine meadow sites in Northern Tibet [J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2022, 31(8): 49-60.
[7]	Hao-hao QI, Xiao-pan PANG, Su ZHOU, Zheng-gang GUO. Effects of clipping by plateau pika on plant interspecific associations in alpine meadows in the Qinghai Lake Region [J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2022, 31(8): 61-71.
[8]	Yu-zhuo ZHANG, Zhi-gui YANG, Hong-yan YU, Qiang ZHANG, Shu-xia YANG, Ting ZHAO, Hua-hua XU, Bao-ping MENG, Yan-yan LV. Estimating grassland above ground biomass based on the STARFM algorithm and remote sensing data——A case study in the Sangke grassland in Xiahe County， Gansu Province [J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2022, 31(6): 23-34.
[9]	Yang LI, Yi WANG, Guo-dong HAN, Jian SUN, Ya-feng WANG. Soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen levels and their controlling factors in alpine grassland， Qinghai-Tibet Plateau [J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2022, 31(6): 50-60.
[10]	Xiao-lei ZHOU, Yue-e YAN, Jing ZHANG, Xu-jiao ZHOU, Yong-qin YAN, Fu-qiang YANG, Xue-ping CAO, An ZHAO, Yan-li ZHAO, Jing-yi SU. Vegetation community structure and diversity in a burned area of Picea asperata-Abies fabri forest on different aspects on the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau [J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2022, 31(5): 144-155.
[11]	Yong-mei LIU, Xing-zhi DONG, Yong-qing LONG, Zhi-mei ZHU, Lei WANG, Xing-hua GE, Fan ZHAO, Jing-zhong LI. Classification of Stellera chamaejasme communities and their relationships with environmental factors in degraded alpine meadow in the central Qilian Mountains， Qinghai Province [J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2022, 31(4): 1-11.
[12]	Xin LI, Xue WEI, Chang-ting WANG, Xiao REN, Peng-fei WU. Effects of exogenous nutrient addition on alpine meadow soil arthropod communities [J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2022, 31(4): 155-164.
[13]	Cai-cai SUN, Quan-min DONG, Wen-ting LIU, Bin FENG, Guang SHI, Yu-zhen LIU, Yang YU, Chun-ping ZHANG, Xiao-fang ZHANG, Cai-di LI, Zeng-zeng YANG, Xiao-xia YANG. Effects of grazing modes on the community structure and diversity of soil arthropod in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau [J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2022, 31(2): 62-75.
[14]	Yuan-yuan DUAN, Jing ZHANG, Ling-ling WANG, Cai-feng LIU, Yi-mo WANG, Su ZHOU, Zheng-gang GUO. Effects of plateau pika on the relationship between plant species diversity and functional diversity in alpine meadow [J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2022, 31(11): 25-35.
[15]	Yong-hong WANG, Li-ming TIAN, Yi AI, Shi-yong CHEN, Tserang-donko MIPAM. Effects of short-term yak grazing on soil fungal communities in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau [J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2022, 31(10): 41-52.