Impact of Grazing Management on Soil Carbon-Nitrogen Cycling and Ecosystem Functions in Northwest Yunnan Plateau Wetlands: A Review Based on Studies in Napahai Wetland
Journal: Architecture Engineering and Science DOI: 10.32629/aes.v6i1.3762
Abstract
The Northwest Yunnan Plateau Wetlands, as a critical ecological barrier on the southeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, possess significant carbon sequestration capacity and biodiversity conservation value. In recent years, increasing grazing intensity and land-use changes have posed risks of wetland ecosystem degradation. This paper systematically reviews the effects of different grazing practices (trampling, disturbance by Tibetan fragrant pigs, and grazing exclusion) on soil physicochemical properties, carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus distribution, and ecological functions in Napahai Wetland. The results indicate that grazing significantly alters the physical structure and carbon-nitrogen accumulation capacity of topsoil (0–20 cm). Trampling-type grazing increases soil bulk density, while disturbance by Tibetan fragrant pigs reduces topsoil bulk density through soil loosening. Grazing exclusion (fencing) enhances vegetation coverage, significantly increasing active organic carbon components (POC, DOC, EOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC). Additionally, soil organic carbon (SOC) content in degraded meadows decreases by approximately 50% with intensifying degradation, showing significant correlations with soil moisture and bulk density. This study proposes adaptive management strategies, including optimized grazing intensity classification and stricter implementation of grazing exclusion policies, to support ecological restoration and carbon sequestration in plateau wetlands.
Keywords
wetland; carbon cycle; napahai; carbon sequestration
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[7]Yu, L. C. (2016). Effects of grazing on soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content in peat swamp wetlands of Northwest Yunnan. Ecological Economy, (4), 55–56.
[8]Xie, C. J., Guo, X. L., Yu, L. C., et al. (2013). Nitrogen mineralization characteristics in Napahai Wetland soils, Northwest Yunnan. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 33(24), 7782–7787.
[2]Xi, W. J., Wang, J. L., Chen, H. F., et al. (2010). Functional evaluation of typical wetlands in Shangri-La, Northwest Yunnan. Journal of Anhui Agricultural Sciences, 38(10), 5264–5267.
[3]Zhan, P. F., Yan, P. F., Liu, Z. Y., et al. (2019). Impacts of Tibetan fragrant pig grazing on soil CO₂ flux in Northwest Yunnan Plateau wetlands. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 39(9), 3309–3321.
[4]Liu, S., Fan, F. H., Zhang, K., et al. (2023). Effects of grazing exclusion on soil active organic carbon in alpine wetlands of Northwest Yunnan. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 43(4), 1506–1514.
[5]Li, X., & Li, Z. F. (2017). Characteristics of soil organic carbon in degraded meadows of Napahai Plateau Wetland, Northwest Yunnan. Research of Environmental Sciences, 30(7), 1079–1088.
[6]Fan, Q. F., Xiao, D. R., Tian, K., et al. (2014). Effect of grazing on carbon and nitrogen reserve of typical plateau wetland in Northwestern Yunnan. Chinese Journal of Soil Science, 45(5), 1151–1156.
[7]Yu, L. C. (2016). Effects of grazing on soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content in peat swamp wetlands of Northwest Yunnan. Ecological Economy, (4), 55–56.
[8]Xie, C. J., Guo, X. L., Yu, L. C., et al. (2013). Nitrogen mineralization characteristics in Napahai Wetland soils, Northwest Yunnan. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 33(24), 7782–7787.
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