Articles | Volume 15, issue 13
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-4233-2018
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-4233-2018
Research article
 | 
12 Jul 2018
Research article |  | 12 Jul 2018

Grazing increases litter decomposition rate but decreases nitrogen release rate in an alpine meadow

Yi Sun, Xiong Z. He, Fujiang Hou, Zhaofeng Wang, and Shenghua Chang

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Cited articles

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Short summary
To investigate how grazing alters litter composition, quality and decomposition, we collected litter from grazing (GP) and grazing exclusion paddocks (GEP) and incubated them in situ and across sites. Grazing increased litter N and grazing exclusion increased litter mass of palatable species and promoted SOC. Litter decomposed faster in GP and N was opposite. Site environment had more impact on litter decomposition. Results may be helpful in developing strategies to restore degraded grasslands.
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