Grazing exclusion effects on grassland community diversity vary along
altitudinal gradient: A case study from Mount Gongga
Abstract
Understanding the dynamic process of community diversity after grazing
exclusion is crucial for the management and conservation of alpine
grassland ecosystems. This study conducted a ten-year grazing exclusion
experiment at four altitudinal gradients on Mount Gongga, ranging from
3000 m to 4130 m. Community diversity was surveyed at each altitude for
the years 2012-2016, 2020, and 2022. We examined the changes in
community diversity and species composition by mixed-effects model,
principal coordinate analysis and triangular plots of β-diversity
comparisons. Several key findings were revealed: 1) The mixed‐effects
models showed that the interactions of altitude and time were
significantly correlated with α-diversity, and the α-diversity at all
altitudes shows a decline in the long-term grazing exclusion period, but
the community composition at low altitudes changes at a slower pace
compared to other altitudes; 2) Across all altitudinal sites,
β-diversity patterns are similar initially and subsequently influenced
by species replacement at 4130m with 7 new species appeared at 2022
compare to 2012, while at 3850 m, the richness difference is primary
factor; 3) Species composition changes were more influenced by pioneer
species (e.g., Potentilla leuconota and Plantago asiatica)
at lower altitudes, whereas livestock-preferred species, such as those
from the Cyperaceae and Poaceae families, played a crucial role at
middle to high altitudes. These results illuminate the complexity of
ecological replacement and how various factors, including altitude and
grazing exclusion, influence the dynamics and composition of alpine
grassland communities over time.