Grazing Intensity Effects of Sheep on the Growth of Some Plant Species Grown at the Sandy Land in Semi-arid Region : a case study in Inner Mongolia, China

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  • 緬羊の放牧強度の違いが数種草原植物の生育に及ぼす影響 : 内蒙古半乾燥地草原での事例
  • メンヨウ ノ ホウボク キョウド ノ チガイ ガ スウシュ ソウゲン ショクブ

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Abstract

In order to define the proper stocking intensity at the sandy land in a semi-arid region, a grazing experiment using sheep was conducted at Korqin sandy land in Inner Mongolia, China. Three months after the initiation of this experiment (August, 1992), the effects of grazing intensity on the growth of dominant plant species were investigated by vegetation survey. The results obtained are as follows : 1. All seven species investigated were clearly influenced by sheep grazing and especially the plant height was shortened in heavy grazing site. Individual size and biomass of the investigated species except for Aristida adscensionis became remarkably smaller in grazing sites than the ungrazed control site. 2. The grazing preference of grass plant by sheep varied with species : The biomass of Setaria viridis, Digitaria ciliaris and Pennisetum centrasiaticum showed the tendency to decrease with the increasing of grazing intensity. While that of A. adscensionis was scarcely influenced by grazing pressure because of its hard and long awns. The growth of underground part of S. viridis seems to be strongly inhibited by grazing. 3. It was clarified that the range of grazing preference of sheep was wide comparing with cattle and horse: Artemisia scoparia abounded in the degraded pastures, and a small prostrate plant of Euphorbia hurnifusa were well grazed under heavy grazing conditions. Spiny and pioneer plant in shifting sand dune, such as Agriophyllum squarrosum, was also grazed.

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