Effects of Grassland Caterpillars on Plant Community Structure of Alpine Kobresia Meadows and Soil Properties

[Objective] To investigate the relationship between the grassland caterpillar with different grades and the structure of alpine Kobresia meadow or soil feature. [Method] A total of 10 plots （20.00 m × 20.00 m） were chosen. In each plot, five smaller plots （5.00 m × 5.00 m） were randomly selected and six sample plots （0.25 m × 0.25 m） were then selected in each smaller plot. The biomass, vegetation height, grasslayer thickness, bare land area, soil moisture and total vegetation cover degree were determined. Data were analyzed statistically by Excel 2003 and SPSS 13.0 software. [ Result] There was a significant difference （P 〈 0.05） between the grassland caterpillars at different hazard grades and the structure of alpine Kobresia meadow or soil properties. [ Conclusion] With the increase of grassland caterpillar density, the plant community structure of alpine Kobresia meadows changes from sedge family-dominant community to the forbs-dominant community.

Net ecosystem CO_2 exchange and controlling factors in a steppe——Kobresia meadow on the Tibetan Plateau

Knowledge of seasonal variation of net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) and its biotic and abiotic controllers will further our understanding of carbon cycling process, mechanism and large-scale modelling. Eddy covariance technique was used to measure NEE, biotic and abiotic factors for nearly 3 years in the hinterland alpine steppe--Korbresia meadow grassland on the Tibetan Plateau, the present highest fluxnet station in the world. The main objectives are to investigate dynamics of NEE and its components and to determine the major controlling factors. Maximum carbon assimilation took place in August and maximum carbon loss occurred in November. In June, rainfall amount due to monsoon climate played a great role in grass greening and consequently influenced interannual variation of ecosystem carbon gain. From July through September, monthly NEE presented net carbon assimilation. In other months, ecosystem exhibited carbon loss. In growing season, daytime NEE was mainly controlled by photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). In addition, leaf area index (LAI) interacted with PAR and together modulated NEE rates. Ecosystem respiration was controlled mainly by soil temperature and simultaneously by soil moisture. Q10 was negatively correlated with soil temperature but positively correlated with soil moisture. Large daily range of air temperature is not necessary to enhance carbon gain. Standard respiration rate at referenced 10℃(R10) was positively correlated with soil moisture, soil temperature, LAI and aboveground biomass. Rainfall patterns in growing season markedly influenced soil moisture and therefore soil moisture controlled seasonal change of ecosystem respiration. Pulse rainfall in the beginning and at the end of growing season induced great ecosystem respiration and consequently a great amount of carbon was lost. Short growing season and relative low temperature restrained alpine grass vegetation development. The results suggested that LAI be usually in a low level and carbon uptake be relatively low. Rainfall patterns in the growing season and pulse rainfall in the beginning and at end of growing season control ecosystem respiration and consequently influence carbon balance of ecosystem.

Soil Erosion and Vegetation Succession in Alpine Kobresia Steppe Meadow Caused by Plateau Pika——A Case Study of Nagqu County, Tibet

This paper evaluated the impacts of mounds created by the plateau pika （Ochotona curzoniae） on the vegetation composition, structure, and species diversity of an alpine Kobresia steppe meadow in Nagqu County, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. Based on mound height or the depth of erosion pit, we defined five stages of erosion and compared the floristic features of communities at these stages with those in undisturbed sites. In the study area, the mounds and pits covered up to 7% of the total area. Lancea tibetica, Lamiophlomis rotata, and Potentilla biflarca were the dominant species in erosion pits, and Kobresia pygmaea, the dominant species in undisturbed sites, became a companion species in eroded areas. In the process of erosion, the original vegetation was covered by soil ejected by the pika, then the mounds were gradually eroded by wind and rain, and finally erosion pits formed. The vegetation coverage increased with increasing erosion stages but remained significantly lower than that in undisturbed sites. Improved coverage eventually reduced soil erosion, and pit depth eventually stabilized at around 20cm. Aboveground biomass increased with increasing erosion stage, but the proportion of low-quality forage reached more than 94%. The richness index and Shannon-Wiener index increased significantly with increasing erosion stage, but the richness index in mound and pit areas was significantly lower than that in undisturbed sites.

Soil organic carbon and nitrogen content of density fractions and effect of meadow degradation to soil carbon and nitrogen of fractions in alpine Kobresia meadow

This research was conducted on the non-disturbed native alpine Kobresia meadow(YF) and the severely degraded meadow(SDL) of Dari County of Qinghai Province.By a density fractionation approach,each soil sample was divided into two fractions:light fraction(LF) and heavy fraction(HF).The obtained fractions were analyzed for organic carbon(OC) and nitrogen(N) concentrations.The results showed:(1) the OC concentration in HF and LF was 3.84% and 28.63% respectively while the nitrogen concentration in HF and LF was 0.362% and 1.192% respectively in 0-10 cm depth.C:N ratio was 10.6 in HF and 23.8 in LF respectively.(2) As far as the ratio of OC in given fraction to that in gross sample was concerned,dominance of OC in HF was obvious in the whole soil profile.OC in HF increased from 78.95% to 90.33%,while OC in LF decreased from 21.05% to 9.68% with depths.(3) Soil total OC amounted to 47.47 in YF while 17.63 g.kg-1 in SDL,in which the OC content in HF decreased from 37.31 to 16.01 g.kg-1 while OC content in LF decreased from 10.01 to 1.62 g.kg-1.In other words,results of OC and N content show meadow degradation led to the loss of 57% OC in HF and 84% OC in LF from originally native ecosystem on alpine meadow.In addition,meadow degradation led to the loss of 43% N in HF and 79% N in LF from originally native ecosystem on alpine meadow.(4) The main reason for loss of C and N in LF during meadow degradation was not attributed to the decrease of OC and N concentration in LF and LF,but to the decrease in LF dry weight.Loss of N was far lower than loss of C in HF.This may suggest that there is difference in protection mode of C and N in HF.

Changes in plant species composition and diversity of alpine Kobresia (Kobresia pygmaea) steppe meadow at different stages of desertification in the North Tibetan plateau

The impacts of desertification on the vegetation composition, structure, and species diversity of alpine Kobresia steppe meadow were evaluated in an area of severe desertification in Anduo County, Tibet Autonomous Region, northern China. We investigated and analyzed the floristic features of communities at four different stages of desertification (slight desertification [SLD], moderate desertification [MD], severe desertification [SD], and very severe desertification [VSD]). The composition and structure of the alpine Kobresia steppe meadow at the SLD site differed significantly from that at the MD, SD, and VSD sites. Species that were more drought resistant and inedible by livestock were the dominant species at the SD site. No plants were found in the shifting dunes of the VSD site. Species diversity also decreased with increasing desertification. The SLD site had the largest mean number of species and individuals and the largest richness index; the MD grassland had the largest Shannon-Wiener index and evenness index, but the smallest Simpson’s index. The vegetation cover declined from 91.8% to 34.8% as desertification increased from SLD to SD, and reached 0% in VSD areas with shifting dunes.

Study on Soil Respiration Characteristics and Carbon Balance of <i>Kobresia pygmaea</i>Meadow in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

Although soil respiration is the largest contributor to C flux from terrestrial ecosystems to the atmosphere, our understanding of its characteristics and carbon budget in alpine meadow is rather limited because of extremely geographic situation. This study was designed to examine soil CO2 efflux characteristics of diurnal and seasonal variation, thus obtaining estimates of carbon balance of Kobresia pygmaea meadow in Qinghai-Tibet plateau. The results showed that the soil respiration of diurnal and seasonal rate changed little in growing season and was mainly affected by temperature, and single peak curve that showed afternoon appeared. Composite model which was set by soil respiration rate, soil moisture content and temperature (atmospheric temperature and soil temperature) could explain better the variations of soil respiration rate. The variation range of Q10 ranged from 1.28 to 2.34, which was sensitive to temperature in green-up period and late growth stage, and decreased in growth peak period. Meanwhile, during the growing seasons the observed amount of annual carbon fixation via primary production for Kobresia pygmaea meadow ecosystem was about 120.21 g C·m-2·a-1. The carbon dioxide output via soil heterotrophic respiration was about 37.54 g C·m-2·a-1. So carbon budget had more input than output. The Kobresia pygmaea meadow ecosystem has stronger potential to absorb carbon dioxide, it was a sink of atmospheric CO2, and the plant community had a net carbon gain of 82.67 g C·m-2·a-1.

划破草皮技术对退化高寒小嵩草草甸土壤及植被恢复的影响

【目的】明确不同土壤草皮划破技术对高寒小嵩草草甸土壤理化性质和植物群落地上生产力恢复的影响。【方法】以退化小嵩草草甸的不同土层深度(0~10、10~20、20~30、30~40 cm)土壤养分、水分、紧实度等特征及植物群落生长繁殖特性为评判指标,分析划破草皮(C_(1))、划破草皮+补播(C_(2))、划破草皮+施肥(C_(3))、划破草皮+补播+施肥(C_(4))4种草皮划破技术处理对土壤理化性质和植物群落地上生产力恢复的影响。【结果】4种草皮划破技术处理下土壤湿度分别比对照增加了0.09%、4.80%、3.58%和4.05%,对土壤碳、氮、磷和钾含量亦具有一定程度的提升效果。双因素方差分析结果表明,处理方式、土壤深度及两者的交互作用对土壤全碳和全氮含量存在极显著影响(P<0.01)。不同处理方式对植物群落及实生苗数量特征存在不同程度的提升效应(P<0.01),其中,C_(2)处理植物群落密度比对照增加了68.77株/m^(2)(P<0.05);双子叶植物数量与土壤无机碳含量存在极显著负相关关系(P<0.01),相关系数为-0.37。基于不同处理的土壤物理性质(土壤湿度、土壤温度、土壤紧实度)、全量养分(全氮、全碳)和速效养分(有效磷、速效钾、铵态氮)含量的标准化多维数据分析结果表明,单一划破草皮处理(C_(1))在短期内对土壤物理和化学性质的综合改善能力较弱,而在划破草皮之上辅以补播或施肥处理对土壤理化性质的改善和限制性养分的活化效果更优。【结论】采用划破草皮配合外源种库和外源养分添加的生态恢复措施可以在短期内提高退化小嵩草草甸生产能力和土壤限制性养分含量,在生态恢复实践中具有一定的应用前景。

江河源区高山嵩草(Kobresia pygmaea)草甸植物和土壤碳、氮储量对覆被变化的响应

以青海省果洛州藏族自治州甘德县青珍乡高山嵩草Kobresia pygmaea草甸轻度退化草地和重度退化草地为研究对象,通过植物地上部分主要功能群（禾草类、杂类草、莎草类）、植物根系和土壤碳、氮浓度及储量动态研究,结果表明：高寒小嵩草草甸轻度退化草地地上部分主要功能群碳、氮浓度和C∶N比值明显高于重度退化草地的浓度。同一草地类型主要功能群比较,碳、氮浓度依次为杂类草〉禾草类〉莎草类;植物地上部分的碳、氮浓度明显高于地下根系的碳、氮浓度。重度退化草地植物根系碳、氮浓度高于轻度退化草地植物根系碳、氮浓度。重度退化草地土壤总有机碳浓度显著低于轻度退化草地土壤总有机碳浓度,随着土层的加深碳、氮浓度有减少的趋势。江河源区高山嵩草草甸的土壤有机碳、氮储量最大,植物根系碳、氮储量居中,植物地上部分碳、氮储量最小。重度退化草地总有机碳储量（13554.3g/m^2）较轻度退化草地储量（14669.2g/m^2）下降7.60%。其中,0-40cm土壤层碳储量下降4.10%,植物根系碳储量下降59.97%,植物地上部分碳储量下降15.39%;重度退化草地总氮储量（3780.6g/m^2）较轻度退化草地储量（3352.7g/m^2）高12.76%,其中,0-40cm土壤中总氮储量高13.07%,植物根系全氮储量下降55.09%,植物地上部分全氮下降16.00%。由于草地退化损失有机碳11149kg/hm^2,而全氮增加4278kg/hm^2。

氮肥添加对高寒藏嵩草(Kobresia tibetica)沼泽化草甸和土壤微生物群落的影响

以藏嵩草沼泽化草甸为研究对象,利用磷脂脂肪酸(PLFA)技术,研究连续6年N素添加对地上植被群落数量特征、土壤微生物群落结构的影响。结果表明:①藏嵩草沼泽化草甸群落生物量、枯枝落叶对施肥处理无明显响应,且莎草科植物对土壤氮素的吸收和利用率较低。②施肥增加了0-10 cm土壤微生物类群PLFAs丰富度尤其细菌和革兰氏阳性菌PLFAs,降低了10-20 cm PLFAs丰富度;③磷脂脂肪酸饱和脂肪酸/单烯不饱和脂肪酸、细菌PLFAs/真菌PLFAs的比值随土壤层次增加而增加;④0-10 cm土层革兰氏阳性菌、真菌PLFAs含量与pH、土壤速效磷、速效氮、土壤有机质显著正相关(P<0.05或P<0.01);10-20 cm土层,细菌、革兰氏阳性菌、真菌和总PLFAs含量与土壤有机质含量显著正相关(P<0.05或P<0.01)。表明藏嵩草沼泽化草甸微生物PLFAs含量和丰富度对施肥的响应存在明显的土层梯度效应,土壤微生物PLFAs含量和丰富度主要受表层土壤初始养分含量的影响。

矮嵩草(Kobresia humilis)草甸主要植物含水量及需水程度的初步研究

本项工作测定了高寒矮嵩草草甸10种主要植物不同物候期的水分含量、自然饱和亏、临界饱和亏和需水程度,分析了植物含水量及其季节性动态规律,了解了植物不同发育阶段的水分亏缺状况和抗旱性,并根据植物需水程度和水分饱和亏,初步提出不同时期灌溉对矮嵩草草甸生长的影响。

矮嵩草(Kobresia humilis)草甸内架设开顶式增温小室对微气候的影响

矮嵩草 (Kobresiahumilis)草甸内架设开顶式增温小室后 ,在牧草生长季节 ,增温小室内的气温平均提高 1 .47℃ ,土温平均提高 1 .0 0℃ ,地表温度平均提高 1 .5 4℃ ;增温小室外的湿度略高于其内部 ;增温小室外的风速明显高于其内部 ;增温小室内外的太阳水平总辐射、反射系数和极端温度差异不显著 ,但变化趋势各有异同 ;增温小室的修建对地温与湿度间、气温与空气湿度间的相关显著性有影响 。

添加氮肥对高寒嵩草(Kobresia)草甸群落植物N、P生态化学计量特征的影响

为了探讨尿素对高寒嵩草(Kobresia)草甸植物和土壤N、P养分生态化学计量特征及生物量的影响,试验测定了高寒草甸生物量和植物全氮、全磷、全钾及土壤全氮、全磷、全钾、硝态氮含量。结果表明:在施肥量为450 kg/hm2时,牧草鲜重和干重分别为877.87,341.07 g/m2,显著高于其他处理(P<0.05);在施肥量为400 kg/hm2时植物全氮含量最高,为56.53 g/kg,与施肥量为450 kg/hm2时相比差异不显著(P>0.05),显著高于其他处理(P<0.05);对照处理的植物全磷含量最高;在施肥量为400 kg/hm2时土壤硝态氮含量最高,与施肥量为450,350 kg/hm2相比差异不显著(P>0.05),显著高于其他处理(P<0.05),对照处理的土壤硝态氮含量最低(0.036 g/kg);与对照相比,各施肥处理下植物氮磷比呈不同程度增加的趋势。说明高寒嵩草草甸植被主要受氮限制,施氮肥能促进植被对氮的吸收,抑制对磷的吸收,提高植物氮磷比。

Characteristics of Kobresia humilis Community Structure at Different Degraded Levels in Northern Qinghai

[ Objective] To reveal structure and function of alpine meadow ecosystem and thus to provide a scientific basis for development, utilization and scientific management of alpine meadow pasture as well as sustainable development of grassland agriculture. [ Method] Charactedstics of Kobresia humilis communities with primary vegetation （community I） and degraded vegetation （community II） were analyzed. [Result] Species richness, biodiversity index and biomass of the community I were respectively 42, 3. 531 and 3 553.1 g/m^2, which were respectively higher than those of the community II （37, 2.270 and 3 391.1 g/m^2）. Correlation analysis shows that community biomass was correlated positively with the dchness index （ P 〈 0.01 ）, and biodiversity index was correlated positively with the aboveground biomass and dchness index （ P 〈 0.01 ）. [ Conclusion] The Kobresia humilis community I has reasonable structure and large coverage of ground vegetation, which play an important role in maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem function.

2015-2020年海北高寒草甸碳水热通量观测数据集

青藏高原寒高草甸面积约为5.04×10^(5) km^(2),是高原生态屏障功能发挥和区域可持续发展的重要基质。2014年5月,青海海北高寒草地生态系统国家野外科学观测研究站(简称海北站)应用涡度相关技术进行高寒禾草-矮嵩草(Kobresia hulimis)草甸生态系统碳水循环和能量交换的连续观测,获取了宝贵的原始资料。经过异常值剔除、缺失通量数据的增强回归树模型插补等数据质控流程,海北站拟公开发布2015–2020年高寒草甸碳水热通量观测数据集。本数据集包含净生态系统CO_(2)交换、生态系统CO_(2)呼吸、总生态系统CO_(2)交换、潜热通量、显热通量等通量数据子集和空气温度、空气相对湿度、总辐射、净辐射、光合有效辐射、降水、土壤温度、土壤体积含水量等常规微气象数据子集,时间分辨率有30分钟、日、月和年等4种尺度。本数据集可以用于高寒草甸生态系统碳水循环过程模型的参数优化及碳素固持、水源涵养等生态功能的时空格局及演变趋势的科学认知。

青海省东南部黄河二级支流流域矮嵩草种群分布特征

以青海省东南部黄南州河南县黄河二级支流流域高寒草甸中的优势种矮嵩草为对象,研究其分布特征对小流域生境的响应。结果表明:流域内不同生境的土壤理化性质中土壤紧实度、湿度、全氮、全磷、速效氮、速效磷、有机质含量在一级阶地、二级阶地较高,其次为山顶、滩地,阳坡最低,而土壤温度、全钾和速效钾含量呈相反趋势,在阳坡、山顶、滩地较高,二级阶地、一级阶地较低。土壤pH在各生境间差异不显著。由于地形和土壤理化性质的异质性,矮嵩草除了在一级阶地无分布外,其他生境均有分布,且在阳坡地为优势种,在山顶、滩地为亚优势种。二级阶地的阶地湿地最少,仅呈零星分布。矮嵩草的盖度、重要值、生物量和生物量比重、生态位宽度均在阳坡、滩地最高,山顶次之,其特征值隶属函数值顺序为阳坡、山顶、滩地、二级阶地。矮嵩草植物特征值(盖度、地上生物量、生物量比重、重要值)与土壤湿度、全氮和有机质含量、紧实度呈极显著或显著负相关,与土壤温度、全钾和速效钾含量呈极显著正相关。综上,在青海省东南部黄河二级支流流域矮嵩草生态幅较广,且对较干旱的阳坡生境适应良好。

放牧强度对高寒草甸优势植物叶片解剖结构的影响

为探明优势植物叶片解剖结构对放牧的响应机制,本研究以青藏高原高寒草甸为研究对象,依托6年的长期放牧平台,分析了不放牧、轻度放牧、中度放牧和重度放牧4种放牧处理对优势植物矮生嵩草(Kobresia humilis)和紫花针茅(Stipa purpurea)叶解剖结构性状的影响。结果显示:放牧干扰造成紫花针茅叶长减小、叶保护组织厚度整体呈下降趋势;放牧强度的增加导致矮生嵩草叶长减小、叶厚变薄、最大导管直径减小,角质层厚和近轴面表皮细胞厚呈上升趋势。放牧会缩小优势植物最大导管直径在不同运输路径长度间的差异。因此,放牧促使高寒草甸优势植物的叶形态结构产生适应性变化以适应放牧干扰,反映了叶解剖结构具有高度的可塑性,并且矮生嵩草对放牧的敏感性较强。

海北高寒灌丛草甸(2003-2020年)与高寒矮生嵩草草甸(2002-2020年)生物量监测数据集

青藏高原是全球气候变化的热点区域和敏感区域,高寒灌丛和高寒矮生嵩草(Kobresia humilis)草甸是高寒草甸主要类型,对青藏高原乃至全球的高寒草甸生态系统的可持续发展有着重要的作用。生物量作为反映草地生态系统生产功能的直接指标,是研究其生态系统功能及其他因素之间关系的有效途径。高寒灌丛与高寒矮生嵩草草甸生物量的准确测定和评估是科学认知青藏高原高寒草甸生态功能的关键之一。位于青海省海北州的高寒草地生态系统国家野外科学观测研究站(简称海北站),自2003年和2002年分别开展高寒金露梅(Potentilla fruticosa)灌丛与高寒矮生嵩草生态系统生物量的科学监测,已分别连续积累了17年、18年的原始数据。为准确掌握青藏高原乃至全球高寒灌丛和高寒矮生嵩草草甸生态系统的碳汇潜力及准确预测其生态系统对气候变化的长期响应等相关研究,现公开发表海北通量监测站区2003–2020年高寒灌丛、2002–2020年高寒矮生嵩草草甸相关生物量数据。本数据集包含金露梅灌丛草甸、高寒矮生嵩草草甸地上生物量和地下生物量,可为高寒草甸生态系统生物量时空动态的科学认知、遥感反演、模型验证提供地面观测数据,有助于高寒草甸健康可持续发展。

嵩草草甸退化和恢复过程中主要牧草演替和地表特征变化

以青藏高原高寒草甸禾草、矮嵩草和小嵩草的重要值及斑块变化为对象,研究其在嵩草草甸退化和恢复过程中的变化规律。结果表明,退化中的嵩草草甸小嵩草重要值显著高于矮嵩草和禾草,样带调查显示在小嵩草样带矮嵩草盖度急剧降低,黑斑盖度增加近一倍,小嵩草斑块分布普遍;重牧小嵩草草甸小嵩草成为优势种,重要值显著高于矮嵩草和禾草(P<0.05),黑斑面积增大,塌陷增多,矮嵩草斑块出现几率小;恢复中的小嵩草草甸禾草重要值增大,矮嵩草恢复慢,恢复斑块上禾草成为优势种,小嵩草斑块接近消失,黑斑和秃斑面积急剧缩小,植被盖度增加;恢复较好的草甸禾草成为样地的优势种,矮嵩草和小嵩草的重要值低(零星斑块分布),没有黑斑和秃斑出现。高寒草甸退化引起优势植物更替,地表黑斑和秃斑严重,封育和减牧措施能够有效恢复退化的草甸。

矮嵩草草甸不同功能群主要植物种生长特征与地表温度的相关性分析

基于国际冻原计划(ITEX)模拟增温效应对植物影响的研究方法,设置温度梯度从物种个体水平研究各功能群主要植物种生长特征与地表温度的相关性,以探讨全球变暖背景下,矮嵩草草甸不同功能群植物种生长特征对地表温度升高的响应。结果显示:(1)莎草科功能群黑褐苔草的高度与地表温度呈线性关系(P<0.01),而分蘖数、叶片数与地表温度呈二次函数关系,但不显著;矮嵩草的分蘖数、叶片数及高度与地表温度均呈二次函数形式变化(P<0.05)。(2)多年生禾本科功能群垂穗披碱草和草地早熟禾的分蘖数、叶片数、高度均与地表温度呈线性正相关关系(P<0.01)。(3)杂类草功能群短穗兔耳草的匍匐茎数与地表温度呈不显著的二次函数关系,而叶片数、高度均与地表温度呈线性相关关系(P<0.01);鸟足毛茛的花蕾数、叶片数、高度均与地表温度呈线性相关关系(P<0.01)。研究表明,不同功能群植物种对地表温度升高的响应是不一致的,地表温度持续升高对禾本科功能群植物种的生长有利,而对莎草科、杂类草功能群植物种均不利。

高寒嵩草草甸的被动与主动退化分异特征及其发生机理

高寒嵩草草甸是广布于青藏高原的地带性植被之一,自1980年代以来,发生退化,形成大面积的"黑土型"次生裸地。目前的研究普遍认为,高寒嵩草草甸的退化是由于过度放牧引起的植被演替和啮齿类动物对草场的破坏所致。而本研究认为,随着持续的超载放牧,高寒嵩草草甸的退化过程可以分为异针茅+羊茅-矮嵩草群落、矮嵩草群落、小嵩草群落和杂类草-黑土型次生裸地的四个演替阶段;其经历了异针茅+羊茅-矮嵩草群落向矮嵩草群落植被的被动退化过程和由小嵩草群落向杂类草-黑土型次生裸地的主动退化过程;其发生的动力分别为放牧作用和嵩草特殊的生物学特性(高地下/地上比)引起的草毡表层极度加厚作用。草毡表层的极度加厚,造成土壤水分渗透速率的降低和土壤-牧草之间水分、营养供求的失调,是导致高寒矮嵩草最终退化的根本原因。同时提出高寒嵩草草甸在被动退化阶段,通过降低放牧强度,灭鼠、封育是可以逆转的,而一旦进入主动退化阶段,草皮的塌陷、斑驳,最终形成"黑土滩"型退化草地,这是不可避免的也是不可逆转的。