AUTHOR=Ma Kaikai , Hou Qingqing , Xu Changlin , Chen Yanzhu , Yang Hang , Xu Jingjing , Yu Xiaojun 

TITLE=Initiation of rest-grazing during soil thawing improves interspecific relationships and stability of plant communities on alpine grassland

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=Volume 15 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1426626

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2024.1426626

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=Grazing management is essential to maintain the stability of grassland ecosystems. To determine the optimal rest-grazing period of alpine meadow, Rest-grazing for a suitable period can improve interspecific relationships and the stability of plant communities in alpine meadows. In this study, five rest-grazing periods were set based on soil thawing and plant re-greening in this study.established based on the depth of the thawed soil and the coverage of plant regreening. The niche, interspecific relationships, and stability of plant communities at different rest-grazing periodstimes were investigated. The results revealed that rest-grazing during soil thawing resulted in a small niche width and niche overlap of plants, overall positive interspecific associations, and a high stability of plant communities. Delayed rest-grazing time to plant re-greening resulted in a large niche width and niche overlap of plants, overall negative interspecific associations, and a low stability of plant communities. Therefore, rest-grazing in alpine meadows should begin as soon as possible to promote healthy and sustainable utilization of grasslands.