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Praeg N, Steinwandter M, Urbach D, Snethlage MA, Alves RP, Apple ME, Bilovitz P, Britton AJ, Bruni EP, Chen TW, Dumack K, Fernandez-Mendoza F, Freppaz M, Frey B, Fromin N, Geisen S, Grube M, Guariento E, Guisan A, Ji QQ, Jiménez JJ, Maier S, Malard LA, Minor MA, Mc Lean CC, Mitchell EAD, Peham T, Pizzolotto R, Taylor AFS, Vernon P, van Tol JJ, Wu D, Wu Y, Xie Z, Weber B, Illmer P, Seeber J. Biodiversity in mountain soils above the treeline. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2025. [PMID: 40369817 DOI: 10.1111/brv.70028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2025] [Accepted: 04/17/2025] [Indexed: 05/16/2025]
Abstract
Biological diversity in mountain ecosystems has been increasingly studied over the last decade. This is also the case for mountain soils, but no study to date has provided an overall synthesis of the current state of knowledge. Here we fill this gap with a first global analysis of published research on cryptogams, microorganisms, and fauna in mountain soils above the treeline, and a structured synthesis of current knowledge. Based on a corpus of almost 1400 publications and the expertise of 37 mountain soil scientists worldwide, we summarise what is known about the diversity and distribution patterns of each of these organismal groups, specifically along elevation, and provide an overview of available knowledge on the drivers explaining these patterns and their changes. In particular, we document an elevation-dependent decrease in faunal diversity above the treeline, while for cryptogams there is an initial increase above the treeline, followed by a decrease towards the nival belt. Thus, our data confirm the key role that elevation plays in shaping the biodiversity and distribution of these organisms in mountain soils. The response of prokaryote diversity to elevation, in turn, was more diverse, whereas fungal diversity appeared to be substantially influenced by plants. As far as available, we describe key characteristics, adaptations, and functions of mountain soil species, and despite a lack of ecological information about the uncultivated majority of prokaryotes, fungi, and protists, we illustrate the remarkable and unique diversity of life forms and life histories encountered in alpine mountain soils. By applying rule- as well as pattern-based literature-mining approaches and semi-quantitative analyses, we identified hotspots of mountain soil research in the European Alps and Central Asia and revealed significant gaps in taxonomic coverage, particularly among biocrusts, soil protists, and soil fauna. We further report thematic priorities for research on mountain soil biodiversity above the treeline and identify unanswered research questions. Building upon the outcomes of this synthesis, we conclude with a set of research opportunities for mountain soil biodiversity research worldwide. Soils in mountain ecosystems above the treeline fulfil critical functions and make essential contributions to life on land. Accordingly, seizing these opportunities and closing knowledge gaps appears crucial to enable science-based decision making in mountain regions and formulating laws and guidelines in support of mountain soil biodiversity conservation targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Praeg
- Department of Microbiology, Universität Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25d, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Michael Steinwandter
- Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Viale Druso 1, Bozen/Bolzano, 39100, Italy
| | - Davnah Urbach
- Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment (GMBA), University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, Bern, 3013, Switzerland
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, Bern, 3013, Switzerland
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur la Montagne, University of Lausanne, Ch. de l'Institut 18, Bramois/Sion, 1967, Switzerland
| | - Mark A Snethlage
- Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment (GMBA), University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, Bern, 3013, Switzerland
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, Bern, 3013, Switzerland
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur la Montagne, University of Lausanne, Ch. de l'Institut 18, Bramois/Sion, 1967, Switzerland
| | - Rodrigo P Alves
- Institute of Biology, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Graz, Holteigasse 6, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - Martha E Apple
- Department of Biological Sciences, Montana Technological University, Butte, 59701, MT, USA
| | - Peter Bilovitz
- Institute of Biology, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Graz, Holteigasse 6, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - Andrea J Britton
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, Scotland, UK
| | - Estelle P Bruni
- Laboratory of Soil Biodiversity, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, Neuchâtel, 2000, Switzerland
| | - Ting-Wen Chen
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Soil Biology and Biogeochemistry, Na Sádkách 702/7, České Budějovice, 37005, Czech Republic
- J.F. Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Untere Karspüle 2, Göttingen, 37073, Germany
| | - Kenneth Dumack
- Terrestrial Ecology, Cologne Biocenter, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Strasse 47b, Cologne, 50674, Germany
| | - Fernando Fernandez-Mendoza
- Institute of Biology, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Graz, Holteigasse 6, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - Michele Freppaz
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095, Italy
- Research Center on Natural Risks in Mountain and Hilly Environments, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095, Italy
| | - Beat Frey
- Forest Soils and Biogeochemistry, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, 8903, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Fromin
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Route de Mende 34199, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Stefan Geisen
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen 6708PB, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Grube
- Institute of Biology, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Graz, Holteigasse 6, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - Elia Guariento
- Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Viale Druso 1, Bozen/Bolzano, 39100, Italy
| | - Antoine Guisan
- Department of Ecology and Evolution (DEE), University of Lausanne, Biophore, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
- Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics (IDYST), University of Lausanne, Géopolis, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Qiao-Qiao Ji
- Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 4888 Shengbei Street, Changchun, 130102, China
| | - Juan J Jiménez
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (IPE), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), Avda. Ntra. Sra. de la Victoria 16, Jaca, 22700, Huesca, Spain
| | - Stefanie Maier
- Institute of Biology, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Graz, Holteigasse 6, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - Lucie A Malard
- Department of Ecology and Evolution (DEE), University of Lausanne, Biophore, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Maria A Minor
- School of Food Technology and Natural Sciences, Massey University, Riddett Road, Palmerston North, 4410, New Zealand
| | - Cowan C Mc Lean
- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - Edward A D Mitchell
- Laboratory of Soil Biodiversity, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, Neuchâtel, 2000, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Peham
- Department of Ecology, Universität Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Roberto Pizzolotto
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra, University of Calabria, Ponte Pietro Bucci 4b, Rende, 87036, Italy
| | - Andy F S Taylor
- Ecological Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, Scotland, UK
| | - Philippe Vernon
- UMR 6553 EcoBio CNRS, University of Rennes, Biological Station, Paimpont, 35380, France
| | - Johan J van Tol
- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - Donghui Wu
- Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 4888 Shengbei Street, Changchun, 130102, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Yunga Wu
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Zhijing Xie
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Bettina Weber
- Institute of Biology, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Graz, Holteigasse 6, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - Paul Illmer
- Department of Microbiology, Universität Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25d, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Julia Seeber
- Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Viale Druso 1, Bozen/Bolzano, 39100, Italy
- Department of Ecology, Universität Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
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Lupwayi NZ, Hao X, Gorzelak MA. Divergent responses of the native grassland soil microbiome to heavy grazing between spring and fall. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2024; 170:001517. [PMID: 39589397 PMCID: PMC11893364 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 10/23/2024] [Indexed: 11/27/2024]
Abstract
Grasslands are estimated to cover about 40% of the earth's land area and are primarily used for grazing. Despite their importance globally, there is a paucity of information on long-term grazing effects on the soil microbiome. We used a 68-year-old grazing experiment to determine differences in the soil permanganate-oxidizable C (POXC), microbial biomass C (MBC), the soil prokaryotic (bacterial and archaeal) community composition and enzyme activities between no-grazing, light grazing and heavy grazing, i.e. 0, 1.2 and 2.4 animal unit months (AUM) ha-1. The grazing effects were determined in spring and fall grazing. Light grazing had little effect on soil MBC and the composition and diversity of prokaryotic communities in either grazing season, but the effects of heavy grazing depended on the grazing season. In spring, heavy grazing increased the relative abundances of copiotrophic phyla Actinomycetota, Bacillota and Nitrososphaerota, along with soil POXC contents but decreased those of oligotrophic phyla Acidobacteriota, Verrucomicrobiota and Nitrospirota. This difference in responses was not observed in fall, when grazing reduced soil POXC, MBC and the relative abundances of most phyla. The β-diversity analysis showed that the prokaryotic community structure under heavy grazing was different from those in the control and light grazing treatments, and α-diversity indices (except the Shannon index) were highest under heavy grazing in both grazing seasons. The activities of P-mobilizing and S-mobilizing soil enzymes decreased with increasing cattle stocking rate in both seasons, but the activities of the enzymes that mediate C and N cycling decreased only in the fall. The genus RB41 (phylum Acidobacteriota) was one of two core bacterial genera, and its relative abundance was positively correlated with the activity of the S-mobilizing enzyme. Therefore, light grazing is recommended to reduce negative effects on the grassland soil microbiome and its activity, and the grazing season should be considered when evaluating such grazing effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Newton Z. Lupwayi
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, 5403 - 1st Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 4B1, Canada
| | - Xiying Hao
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, 5403 - 1st Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 4B1, Canada
| | - Monika A. Gorzelak
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, 5403 - 1st Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 4B1, Canada
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Luo F, Mi W, Liu W. Legume-grass mixtures improve biological nitrogen fixation and nitrogen transfer by promoting nodulation and altering root conformation in different ecological regions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1375166. [PMID: 38938644 PMCID: PMC11208716 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1375166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) plays a crucial role in nitrogen utilization in agroecosystems. Functional characteristics of plants (grasses vs. legumes) affect BNF. However, little is still known about how ecological zones and cropping patterns affect legume nitrogen fixation. This study's objective was to assess the effects of different cropping systems on aboveground dry matter, interspecific relationships, nodulation characteristics, root conformation, soil physicochemistry, BNF, and nitrogen transfer in three ecological zones and determine the main factors affecting nitrogen derived from the atmosphere (Ndfa) and nitrogen transferred (Ntransfer). Methods The 15N labeling method was applied. Oats (Avena sativa L.), forage peas (Pisum sativum L.), common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), and fava beans (Vicia faba L.) were grown in monocultures and mixtures (YS: oats and forage peas; YJ: oats and common vetch; YC: oats and fava beans) in three ecological regions (HZ: Huangshui Valley; GN: Sanjiangyuan District; MY: Qilian Mountains Basin) in a split-plot design. Results The results showed that mixing significantly promoted legume nodulation, optimized the configuration of the root system, increased aboveground dry matter, and enhanced nitrogen fixation in different ecological regions. The percentage of nitrogen derived from the atmosphere (%Ndfa) and percentage of nitrogen transferred (%Ntransfer) of legumes grown with different legume types and in different ecological zones were significantly different, but mixed cropping significantly increased the %Ndfa of the legumes. Factors affecting Ndfa included the cropping pattern, the ecological zone (R), the root nodule number, pH, ammonium-nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen, microbial nitrogen mass (MBN), plant nitrogen content (N%), and aboveground dry biomass. Factors affecting Ntransfer included R, temperature, altitude, root surface area, nitrogen-fixing enzyme activity, organic matter, total soil nitrogen, MBN, and N%. Discussion We concluded that mixed cropping is beneficial for BNF and that mixed cropping of legumes is a sustainable and effective forage management practice on the Tibetan Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Luo
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Germplasm Resources Research and Utilization, College of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Wenbo Mi
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Germplasm Resources Research and Utilization, College of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Wenhui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Germplasm Resources Research and Utilization, College of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining, China
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Tang H, Li Q, Bao Q, Tang B, Li K, Ding Y, Luo X, Zeng Q, Liu S, Shu X, Liu W, Du L. Interplay of soil characteristics and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi diversity in alpine wetland restoration and carbon stabilization. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1376418. [PMID: 38659977 PMCID: PMC11039953 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1376418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Alpine wetlands are critical ecosystems for global carbon (C) cycling and climate change mitigation. Ecological restoration projects for alpine grazing wetlands are urgently needed, especially due to their critical role as carbon (C) sinks. However, the fate of the C pool in alpine wetlands after restoration from grazing remains unclear. In this study, soil samples from both grazed and restored wetlands in Zoige (near Hongyuan County, Sichuan Province, China) were collected to analyze soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), soil properties, and plant biomass. Moreover, the Tea Bag Index (TBI) was applied to assess the initial decomposition rate (k) and stabilization factor (S), providing a novel perspective on SOC dynamics. The results of this research revealed that the mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) was 1.40 times higher in restored sites compared to grazed sites, although no significant difference in particulate organic carbon (POC) was detected between the two site types. Furthermore, the increased MAOC after restoration exhibited a significant positive correlation with various parameters including S, C and N content, aboveground biomass, WSOC, AMF diversity, and NH4+. This indicates that restoration significantly increases plant primary production, litter turnover, soil characteristics, and AMF diversity, thereby enhancing the C stabilization capacity of alpine wetland soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Tang
- Key Laboratory of Land Resources Evaluation and Monitoring in Southwest (Sichuan Normal University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- The Faculty of Geography Resource Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian Li
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian Bao
- Key Laboratory of Land Resources Evaluation and Monitoring in Southwest (Sichuan Normal University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- The Faculty of Geography Resource Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Biao Tang
- Sichuan Provincial Cultivated Land Quality and Fertilizer Workstation, Chengdu, China
| | - Kun Li
- Sichuan Academy of Forestry, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Ding
- Key Laboratory of Land Resources Evaluation and Monitoring in Southwest (Sichuan Normal University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- The Faculty of Geography Resource Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaojuan Luo
- The Faculty of Geography Resource Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiushu Zeng
- The Faculty of Geography Resource Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Size Liu
- Research Center for Carbon Sequestration and Ecological Restoration, Tianfu Yongxing Laboratory, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiangyang Shu
- Key Laboratory of Land Resources Evaluation and Monitoring in Southwest (Sichuan Normal University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- The Faculty of Geography Resource Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Weijia Liu
- Chengdu Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Lei Du
- Key Laboratory of Land Resources Evaluation and Monitoring in Southwest (Sichuan Normal University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- The Faculty of Geography Resource Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
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Luo F, Mi W, Liu W, Ma X, Liu K, Ju Z, Li W. Soil microbial community are more sensitive to ecological regions than cropping systems in alpine annual grassland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1345235. [PMID: 38559358 PMCID: PMC10978683 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1345235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Modern agriculture emphasizes the design of cropping systems using ecological function and production services to achieve sustainability. The functional characteristics of plants (grasses vs. legumes) affect changes in soil microbial communities that drive agroecosystem services. Information on the relationship between legume-grass mixtures and soil microorganisms in different ecological zones guides decision-making toward eco-friendly and sustainable forage production. However, it is still poorly understood how cropping patterns affect soil microbial diversity in alpine grasslands and whether this effect varies with altitude. Methods To fill this gap in knowledge, we conducted a field study to investigate the effects of growing oats (Avena sativa L.), forage peas (Pisum sativum L.), common cornflower (Vicia sativa L.), and fava beans (Vicia faba L.) in monocultures and mixtures on the soil microbial communities in three ecological zones of the high alpine zone. Results We found that the fungal and bacterial community structure differed among the cropping patterns, particularly the community structure of the legume mixed cropping pattern was very different from that of monocropped oats. In all ecological zones, mixed cropping significantly (p < 0.05) increased the α-diversity of the soil bacteria and fungi compared to oat monoculture. The α-diversity of the soil bacteria tended to increase with increasing elevation (MY [2,513 m] < HZ [2,661 m] < GN [3,203 m]), while the opposite was true for fungi (except for the Chao1 index in HZ, which was the lowest). Mixed cropping increased the abundance of soil fungi and bacteria across ecological zones, particularly the relative abundances of Nitrospira, Nitrososphaera, Phytophthora, and Acari. Factors affecting the bacterial community structure included the cropping pattern, the ecological zone, water content, nitrate-nitrogen, nitrate reductase, and soil capacity, whereas factors affecting fungal community structure included the cropping pattern, the ecological zone, water content, pH, microbial biomass nitrogen, and catalase. Discussion Our study highlights the variation in soil microbial communities among different in alpine ecological regions and their resilience to cropping systems. Our results also underscore that mixed legume planting is a sustainable and effective forage management practice for the Tibetan Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Luo
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Qinghai Tibet Plateau Germplasm Resources, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Wenbo Mi
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Qinghai Tibet Plateau Germplasm Resources, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Wenhui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Qinghai Tibet Plateau Germplasm Resources, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Xiang Ma
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Qinghai Tibet Plateau Germplasm Resources, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - KaiQiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Qinghai Tibet Plateau Germplasm Resources, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Zeliang Ju
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Qinghai Tibet Plateau Germplasm Resources, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Wen Li
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Qinghai Tibet Plateau Germplasm Resources, Qinghai University, Xining, China
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Luo F, Liu W, Mi W, Ma X, Liu K, Ju Z, Li W. Legume-grass mixtures increase forage yield by improving soil quality in different ecological regions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1280771. [PMID: 37929174 PMCID: PMC10620939 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1280771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Information on the relationship between soil quality and forage yield of legume-grass mixtures in different ecological regions can guide decision-making to achieve eco-friendly and sustainable pasture production. This study's objective was to assess the effects of different cropping systems on soil physical properties, nitrogen fractions, enzyme activities, and forage yield and determine suitable legume-grass mixtures for different ecoregions. Methods Oats (Avena sativa L.), forage peas (Pisum sativum L.), common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), and fava beans (Vicia faba L.) were grown in monocultures and mixtures (YS: oats and forage peas; YJ: oats and common vetch; YC: oats and fava beans) in three ecological regions (HZ: Huangshui Valley; GN: Sanjiangyuan District; MY: Qilian Mountains Basin) in a split-plot design. Results The results showed that the forage yield decreased with increasing altitude, with an order of GN (3203 m a.s.l.; YH 8.89 t·ha-1) < HZ (2661 m; YH 9.38 t·ha-1) < MY (2513m; YH 9.78 t·ha-1). Meanwhile, the forage yield was higher for mixed crops than for single crops in all ecological regions. In the 0-10 cm soil layer, the contents of total nitrogen (TN), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), soil organic matter (SOM), soluble organic nitrogen (SON), urease (UE), nitrate reductase (NR), sucrase (SC), and bacterial community alpha diversity, as well as relative abundance of dominant bacteria, were higher for mixed crops than for oats unicast. In addition, soil physical properties, nitrogen fractions, and enzyme activities varied in a wider range in the 0-10 cm soil layer than in the 10-20 cm layer, with larger values in the surface layer than in the subsurface layer. MBN, SON, UE, SC and catalase (CAT) were significantly and positively correlated with forage yield (P < 0.05). Ammonium nitrogen (ANN), nitrate nitrogen (NN), SOM and cropping systems (R) were significantly and positively correlated with Shannon and bacterial community (P < 0.05). The highest yields in the three ecological regions were 13.00 t·ha-1 for YS in MY, 10.59 t·ha-1 for YC in GN, and 10.63 t·ha-1 for YS in HZ. Discussion We recommend planting oats and forage peas in the Qilian Mountains Basin, oats and fava beans in the Sanjiangyuan District, and oats and forage peas in Huangshui valley. Our results provide new insights into eco-friendly, sustainable, and cost-effective forage production in the Qinghai Alpine Region in China.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wenhui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Superior Forage Germplasm in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining, China
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Sun S, Zhao Y, Dong Q, Yang X, Liu Y, Liu W, Shi G, Liu W, Zhang C, Yu Y. Symbiotic diazotrophs in response to yak grazing and Tibetan sheep grazing in Qinghai-Tibetan plateau grassland soils. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1257521. [PMID: 37744903 PMCID: PMC10511875 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1257521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Grazing by local livestock is the traditional human practice in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau grassland, and moderate intensity grazing can maintain high productivity and diversity of alpine grassland. Grazing ecosystems are often nitrogen-limited, but N2-fixing communities in response to yak grazing and Tibetan sheep grazing in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau grassland have remained underexplored. In this study, we applied quantitative PCR quantitation and MiSeq sequencing of nifH under yak grazing and Tibetan grazing through a manipulated grazing experiment on an alpine grassland. The results showed that the grazing treatments significantly increased the soil ammonium nitrogen (AN) and total phosphorus (TP), but reduced the diazotrophs abundance. Compared with no grazing treatment, the composition of diazotrophs could be maximally maintained when the ratio of yak and Tibetan sheep were 1:2. The foraging strategies of grazing livestock reduced the legumes biomass, and thus reduced the diazotrophs abundance. Data analysis suggested that the direct key factors in regulating diazotrophs are AN and TP, and the changes of these two soil chemical properties were affected by the dung and urine of herbivore assemblages. Overall, these results indicated that the mixed grazing with a ratio of yak to Tibetan sheep as 1:2 can stabilize the soil diazotrophsic community, suggesting that MG12 are more reasonable grazing regimes in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Yi Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Quanmin Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Xiaoxia Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Yuzhen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Wentao Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Guang Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Wenting Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Chunping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Yang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, China
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