Effects of enclosures on vegetation recovery and succession in Hulunbeier steppe, China

Abstract

Hulunbeier steppe is one of the four largest grasslands in China and is renowned for its excellent natural grassland conditions. However, its natural ecosystem has been continuously disrupted due to heavy land use, excessive stock-farming, and deforestation as human activities have expanded. Exclusion of human disturbance is one of the common measures used for ecological environment restoration in Chinese desert areas. This study aims to investigate whether the duration of enclosure affects vegetation recovery and succession processes. Plant distribution, coverage and biomass were measured and described in non-enclosure, 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year enclosure plots. Vegetation succession proceeded via three stages. In the first stage, annual plant communities, such as Agriophyllum squarrosum and Corispermum stauntonii, were dominant, while in the second stage renascent arboreal herbs, mainly Cleistogenes squarrosa and Artemisia frigid, predominantly occupied the vegetation community. In the third stage, transition vegetation such as Agropyron cristatum and C. squarrosa werepredominant. Relevant government authorities in the Hulunbeier region should educate the herders regarding the apposite management of enclosure and provide incentives for compliance. Future study design should focus on effective enclosure management including grazing rate control and plantation development in enclosure.