Soil nitrogen and carbon determine the trade-off of the above- and below-ground biomass across alpine grasslands, Tibetan Plateau. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Jian; Wang, Haiming
• Is Part Of: Ecological indicators. Volume 60(2016)
• Page Start: 1070
• Page End: 1076
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Soil properties -- Trade-off -- Aboveground biomass -- Belowground biomass -- Climate factors -- Alpine steppe -- Alpine meadow -- Alpine grassland -- Tibetan Plateau; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environmental impact analysis -- Periodicals; Environmental risk assessment -- Periodicals; Sustainable development -- Periodicals; 333.71405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2015.08.038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-160X

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the trade-offs between the aboveground biomass (AGB) and belowground biomass (BGB) due to environmental factors in alpine grasslands, including alpine steppes and alpine meadows, on the Tibetan Plateau. We assessed transect surveys to determine the response threshold and critical determinant of trade-offs. Additionally, a non-significant relationship was observed between trade-offs and climate factors and soil properties when the data for the alpine meadow and alpine steppe were analyzed separately. However, the trade-off between AGB and BGB were increased with soil nitrogen and organic carbon gradients across the alpine grassland. The results demonstrate the trade-off effects of AGB and BGB in alpine grasslands, emphasizing the need for an understanding of how the trade-off is affected by drivers of critical environmental factors at the regional scale. Consequently, trade-offs are an ecological indicator and tool for ecological management and decision-making.