Effect of Enclosure on Vegetation Composition and Species Diversity of Desertification Steppe in Northern Lanzhou

PurposeTo explore the change pattern and its evolution characteristics of plant community structure and species diversity in Stipa breviflora desertification steppe under long-term enclosure.

MethodThe plant species composition and importance value, characteristics of community and dominant population, plant species diversity were measured in S. breviflora desertification steppe, which under two terrains (flat and slope) in northern Lanzhou.

ResultsThe desertification steppe was mainly composed of perennial herbs, the dominant and subdominant species were S. breviflora and Reaumuria soongorica for enclosure plots, while they were respectively R. soongorica and S. breviflora for the control (grazing plots). Enclosure increased the sward height, coverage, biomass and plant species diversity, encouraging the growth of dominant plants (S. breviflora and R. soongorica) and perennial herbs, reducing the ratio of therophyte and shrubs, and promoting the cluster aging of S. breviflora. The response to enclosure of S. breviflora was more sensitive than that of R. soongorosa, the positive effects of slope on growth of perennial herbs and the maintenance of plant species diversity were better than that of flat land.

ConclusionEnclosure restores the vegetation by changing plant species composition and community characteristics, which will encourage the development of S. breviflora desertification steppe into steppe.