Effects Of Different Treatments On Vegetation And Soil In Degraded Meadows Grassland

In May 2017,the meadow grassland in Xiuzhumuqin of Xilingol was experimented with different treatments(grazing,mowing)and degradation stages(light,moderate and severe).Five sample plots and 54 test plots were set up.Adaptive grazing,mowing,organic fertilizer application,root cutting,ripping,root cutting + organic fertilizer application,ripping + organic fertilizer application,control and other treatment measures were adopted in different plots.During the annual biomass peak period(mid-August)from 2017 to 2018,the community characteristics and soil physical and chemical properties were measured.The restoration techniques of meadow grassland at different causes and degradation stages were discussed by analyzing the effects of different treatments on community characteristics and soil physical and chemical properties.The main results are as follows:1.Compared with the control plot,there were no significant changes in plant community characteristics and soil physical and chemical properties in the light degraded meadow grassland caused by grazing.This indicated that moderate grazing utilization could not aggravate grassland degradation in grazing mildly degraded grasslands.2.In moderately degraded meadow grassland caused by grazing,the treatment of cutting roots + organic fertilizer application significantly increased the productivity of community and the important values of Leymus chinensis and Stipa baicalensis,resulting in positive succession of community.As soil hardness decreased significantly,soil water content and nitrate nitrogen content increased significantly,this treatment could improve the soil environment of degraded grassland.Therefore,it is suggested to take root cutting + organic fertilizer application to promote grassland restoration in grazing moderately degraded meadow.3.In the severely degraded meadow grassland caused by grazing,the treatment of ripping + organic fertilizer application significantly increased the community productivity and the important values of Leymus chinensis and Stipa baicalensis.The soil environment of degraded grassland was improved due to the significant decrease of soil hardness and the significant increase of soil moisture content and nitrate nitrogen content.In the grazing severely degraded meadow,the restoration measures of ripping + organic fertilizer application were suggested.4.Compared with the control plot,there were no significant changes in plant community characteristics and soil physical and chemical properties in the slightly degraded meadow grassland caused by mowing.It was concluded that moderate mowing and utilization would not aggravate grassland degradation in mowing slightly degraded grasslands.5.In moderately degraded meadow grassland caused by mowing,two treatments,root cutting + organic fertilizer application and ripping + applying organic fertilizer,significantly increased community productivity and the important values of Leymus chinensis and Stipa baicalensis,and resulted in a significant decrease in soil hardness,a significant increase in soil moisture content and nitrate nitrogen content.Therefore,it is suggested that the measures of cutting roots + organic fertilizer application or ripping + organic fertilizer application should be taken to restore the grassland in mowing moderately degraded meadow grassland.