Precipitation and seasonality affect grazing impacts on herbage nutritive values in alpine meadows on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 993-1008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xixi Yao ◽  
Jianping Wu ◽  
Xuyin Gong
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Nutritional Values ◽  
Potentilla Fruticosa ◽  
Nutritive Values ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

AbstractAimsGrasslands used for animal husbandry are chosen depending on the nutritive values of dominant herbage species. However, the influence of grazing in combination with precipitation and growing season on the nutritive values of dominant species has not been explicated.MethodsTo unveil the influence of the different grazing intensities on the nutritional values, an ecological study was formulated, namely fencing (G0), light grazing (G1), moderate grazing (G2) and high grazing (G3). This ambitious study was undertaken on the nutritive values of the four dominant species of herbage in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) during growing season (June–September) for two successive years, namely 2015 (rainy year) and 2016 (droughty year).Important FindingsWe found that (i) the nutritive value of Kobresia capillifolia, Polygonum viviparum and Caragana sinica was noticeably increased by grazing, but negligible effect on Potentilla fruticosa nutritive value was recorded. (ii) During the rainy year (2015), compared with G0, Polygonum viviparum and Potentilla fruticosa displayed 5.4 and 1.5% increases in the crude protein (CP) content and 8.5 and 2.4% increases in vitro true digestibility (IVTD), respectively, while the neutral detergent fibre (NDF) decreased by 13.5 and 0.9%, respectively. During the droughty year (2016), compared with G0, C. sinica and Potentilla fruticosa showed increases in the CP content by 4.3 and 1.3% and increases in the IVTD by 10.7 and 0.4%, respectively, during G3, while the NDF decreased by 6.0 and 1.0%, respectively. (iii) The nutritive values of all species were higher in the years when the rains were good. However, the nutritive values suffered heavily during drought conditions. Besides, the highest and lowest values of nutrition were detected in June and in September, respectively. The inter-seasonal and the inter-annual changes in the nutritional values of species were higher for K. capillifolia and Polygonum viviparum than for Potentilla fruticosa and C. sinica, suggesting that Potentilla fruticosa and C. sinica had higher water-use efficiency. (iv) Grazing clearly reduced the drought tolerance of three species and showed no effects on Potentilla fruticosa. (v) Grazing clearly increased the inter-month variation in the nutritional value of K. capillifolia and Polygonum viviparum but showed no effects on Potentilla fruticosa or C. sinica. Evidently, the grazing effects impacting the nutritional value of the dominant species of herbage exhibited conspicuous inter-annual and seasonal variations with species-specific influences and responses. Our findings are expected to have far-reaching implications enabling the authorities to arrive at strategic decisions and designing of relevant policies for the efficient management of the ecosystems ensuring the speed restoration of the QTP under severe grazing and extreme climatic circumstances.

scholarly journals Spatial and Temporal Differences in Alpine Meadow, Alpine Steppe and All Vegetation of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Their Responses to Climate Change

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 669
Author(s):  
Hanchen Duan ◽  
Xian Xue ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
Wenping Kang ◽  
Jie Liao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Alpine Meadow ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Alpine Steppe ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau ◽  
Variation Trends

Alpine meadow and alpine steppe are the two most widely distributed nonzonal vegetation types in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In the context of global climate change, the differences in spatial-temporal variation trends and their responses to climate change are discussed. It is of great significance to reveal the response of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to global climate change and the construction of ecological security barriers. This study takes alpine meadow, alpine steppe and the overall vegetation of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau as the research objects. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data and meteorological data were used as the data sources between 2000 and 2018. By using the mean value method, threshold method, trend analysis method and correlation analysis method, the spatial and temporal variation trends in the alpine meadow, alpine steppe and the overall vegetation of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were compared and analyzed, and their differences in the responses to climate change were discussed. The results showed the following: (1) The growing season length of alpine meadow was 145~289 d, while that of alpine steppe and the overall vegetation of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was 161~273 d, and their growing season lengths were significantly shorter than that of alpine meadow. (2) The annual variation trends of the growing season NDVI for the alpine meadow, alpine steppe and the overall vegetation of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau increased obviously, but their fluctuation range and change rate were significantly different. (3) The overall vegetation improvement in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was primarily dominated by alpine steppe and alpine meadow, while the degradation was primarily dominated by alpine meadow. (4) The responses between the growing season NDVI and climatic factors in the alpine meadow, alpine steppe and the overall vegetation of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau had great spatial heterogeneity in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. These findings provide evidence towards understanding the characteristics of the different vegetation types in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and their spatial differences in response to climate change.

scholarly journals Effects of Air Temperature and Precipitation on Soil Moisture on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during the 2015 Growing Season

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Qingyan Xie ◽  
Jianping Li ◽  
Yufei Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Ecosystem Stability ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) holds massive freshwater resources and is one of the most active regions in the world with respect to the hydrological cycle. Soil moisture (SM) plays a critical role in hydrological processes and is important for plant growth and ecosystem stability. To investigate the relationship between climatic factors (air temperature and precipitation) and SM during the growing season in various climate zones on the QTP, data from three observational stations were analyzed. The results showed that the daily average (Tave) and minimum air temperatures (Tmin) significantly influenced SM levels at all depths analyzed (i.e., 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 cm deep) at the three stations, and Tmin had a stronger effect on SM than did Tave. However, the daily maximum air temperature (Tmax) generally had little effect on SM, although it had showed some effects on SM in the middle and deeper layers at the Jiali station. Precipitation was an important factor that significantly influenced the SM at all depths at the three stations, but the influence on SM in the middle and deep layers lagged the direct effect on near-surface SM by 5–7 days. These results suggest that environment characterized by lower temperatures and higher precipitation may promote SM conservation during the growing season and in turn support ecosystem stability on the QTP.

Seasonal changes in forage nutritive value of common weeds encountered in Missouri pastures

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-171
Author(s):  
Gatlin Bunton ◽  
Zach Trower ◽  
Craig Roberts ◽  
Kevin W. Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Quality Parameter ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Growing Seasons

AbstractDuring the 2015, 2016, and 2017 growing seasons, weed and weed-free mixed tall fescue and legume forage samples were harvested from 29 pastures throughout Missouri for investigation of the nutritive value of 20 common pasture weed species throughout the season. At certain times during the growing season, many broadleaf weed species had greater nutritive values for a given quality parameter as compared with the available weed-free, mixed tall fescue and legume forage harvested from the same location. There were no significant differences in crude protein concentration between the weed-free forage and many weeds throughout the growing season. However, crude protein content of common burdock, common cocklebur, common ragweed, dandelion, horsenettle, and lanceleaf ragweed was greater than that of the corresponding forage sample at multiple collection periods. The digestible neutral detergent fiber (dNDF) content of all broadleaf weeds except lanceleaf ragweed was significantly lower than that of the weed-free forage at all collection periods. Conversely, large crabgrass had significantly greater digestible neutral detergent fiber levels than did the mixed tall fescue forage at all sampling dates. Dandelion and spiny amaranth had greater in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) content than did the forage for the entire growing season. Three perennial weeds—horsenettle, vervains, and late boneset—did not differ in IVTD levels as compared with the mixed tall fescue and legume forage at any collection date. For most summer annual weeds, the trend was toward greater digestibility earlier in the season, with a gradual decline and often lower IVTD by the late summer or early fall. The results of this study will enable producers to make more informed management decisions about the potential benefit or detriment a weed may provide to the overall nutritive value of the pasture system.

Response of plant functional traits to grazing for three dominant species in alpine steppe habitat of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 515-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianxun Wang ◽  
Mengying Zhong ◽  
Ruixin Wu ◽  
QuanMin Dong ◽  
Kun Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Traits ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Plant Functional Traits ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Alpine Steppe ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

scholarly journals Driving Forces of the Changes in Vegetation Phenology in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 4952
Author(s):  
Xigang Liu ◽  
Yaning Chen ◽  
Zhi Li ◽  
Yupeng Li ◽  
Qifei Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Temperature ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Vegetation Phenology ◽  
Climate Change Research ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

Phenological change is an emerging hot topic in ecology and climate change research. Existing phenological studies in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) have focused on overall changes, while ignoring the different characteristics of changes in different regions. Here, we use the Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS3g) normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) dataset as a basis to discuss the temporal and spatial changes in vegetation phenology in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau from 1982 to 2015. We also analyze the response mechanisms of pre-season climate factor and vegetation phenology and reveal the driving forces of the changes in vegetation phenology. The results show that: (1) the start of the growing season (SOS) and the length of the growing season (LOS) in the QTP fluctuate greatly year by year; (2) in the study area, the change in pre-season precipitation significantly affects the SOS in the northeast (p < 0.05), while, the delay in the end of the growing season (EOS) in the northeast is determined by pre-season air temperature and precipitation; (3) pre-season precipitation in April or May is the main driving force of the SOS of different vegetation, while air temperature and precipitation in the pre-season jointly affect the EOS of different vegetation. The differences in and the diversity of vegetation types together lead to complex changes in vegetation phenology across different regions within the QTP. Therefore, addressing the characteristics and impacts of changes in vegetation phenology across different regions plays an important role in ecological protection in this region.

scholarly journals Assessment of the nutritive value of corn stover and king grass in complete feed on Ongole steer calves productivity

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 801-806
Author(s):  
Ronny Agustinus Victor Tuturoong ◽  
Sjenny Sutryaty Malalantang ◽  
Sony Arthur Ely Moningkey
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Corn Stover ◽  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Maximum Increase ◽  
Nutritional Values ◽  
Interval Weight

Aim: This study aimed to assess the nutritional values of corn stover and king grass (Pennisetum purpupoides) in complete feed on the productivity of male Ongole steer calves. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in two steps: Cattle adaptation and data collection. Cattle adaptation was carried out for 2 weeks, and the cattle were fed the experimental feed. The experimental feed was formulated into five combinations: R1 (50% king grass); R2 (12.5% corn stover +7.5% king grass 50% concentrate); R3 (25% corn stover+25% king grass); R4 (37.5% corn stover+12.5% king grass); and R5 (50% corn stover). All experimental feeds were added with 50% concentrate. Data were collected in five intervals, and each interval was of 4 weeks. In every interval, weight gain and digestibility were measured every day, beginning from the 4th week by collecting feces. Dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) digestibility, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), body weight gain, and feed conversion data were analyzed. Results: R4 and R5 treatment significantly increased (p<0.05) the feed nutritional value and weight gain of male Ongole steer calves. Interestingly, treatment with R4 had the maximum increase (p<0.05) on the digestibility value of each variable: DM, 68.85%; OM, 71.89%; CP, 73.90%; NDF, 59.10%; ADF, 55.35%; and weight gain, 0.61/gr/day. Conclusion: R4 treatment found to be the best nutritional value for improving the productivity of male Ongole steer calves.

scholarly journals Pharmaceutical and nutraceutics on three endemic species of Ceropegia

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 2221
Author(s):  
Binish T. ◽  
Pushpa R.
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Medicinal Plant ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Total Proteins ◽  
Nutritional Values ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Three Samples ◽  
Biochemical Studies ◽  
Total Carbohydrates

Plants are the richest resource of drugs of traditional systems of medicine and modern medicines. Medicinal plant species has its own nutrient composition besides pharmacologically important phytochemicals. Nutraceutics is an emerging field of therapy. As we come to the end of this millennium, more and more people are getting health conscious are looking at dietary substances for preventive or curative effects. The importance of minerals such as potassium, calcium, sodium etc. to human health is well known.The nutritional values and mineral composition of medicinal plants are being used as dietary supplements by humans. The nutritional compositions of selected Ceropegia species were found as good nutritive value. Nutritive compositions were analyzed and compared in vitro plant parts of Ceropegia spiralis, Ceropegia candelabrum and Ceropegia juncea. Sixty to seventy five days old in vitro plants were taken for biochemical studies of total proteins, total carbohydrates, sugar, starch and amino acid.Among the three samples analyzed, high protein sugar and aminoacids content was noticed in Ceropegia  juncea and total carbohydrates and protein values high in Ceropegia candelabrum, Ceropegia candelabrum was found to be a rich source of iron (18.55±0.11) followed by Ceropegia juncea (17.74±0.25) and Ceropegia spiralis (17.56±0.25).Nutraceuticals importance of these valuable plants may help in future for the production of new medicines and valuable food stuffs.  The secondary metabolitices present in them give them a specific medicinal benefit other than a purely nutritional.These species are utilized for Indian system of medicine and scientists encourage them to rationalize it suiting the modern requirements of biotechnology.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document