Effect of rest-grazing management on soil water and carbon storage in an arid grassland (China)

Abstract

Summary The appropriate grassland management practices play an important role for sustainable use of grassland. Rest grazing is beneficial to maintain higher grassland productivity and species diversity. However, little knowledge exists about the effects of rest grazing on soil water and carbon storages in arid regions. In the current study, we investigated the above- and below-ground community characteristics of the three-paired rest-grazing and grazing grasslands in an arid region of northern-west China. An 11-year rest grazing grassland and a continuous grazing grassland were studied to understand soil water and carbon storages. The results revealed that soil water content and carbon storage significantly increased after rest grazing, which was mainly attributable to increasing below-ground biomass density. At the 30–50 cm soil layer depth of the continuously grazing grassland, bulk density was higher and below-ground biomass was lower than the rest of the grazing grassland. This layer significantly affected the water cycle by blocking water exchange between the upper and lower soil layers. Soil carbon content did not significantly increase after rest grazing. The results indicated that rest grazing has a great potential for the recovery of soil water storage, and is an effective way to enhance grassland restoration in the arid area.