Effects of grazing on soil aggregate composition and stability in Stipa breviflora desert steppe

Abstract

Grazing, one of the main grassland utilization modes, has notable impacts on grassland ecosystem structure and functions. However, the effects of long-term grazing on soil aggregate composition and stability are poorly understood. Based on a long-term grazing experiment platform in Inner Mongolia Stipa breviflora desert steppe established in 2004, with treatements of no grazing (control), light, moderate, and heavy grazing intensities, we studied the changes of soil aggregate composition and stability under different grazing intensities. With the measurement of relevant soil physical and chemical characteristics, we explored the main factors that affecting the stability of soil aggregates. The results showed that grazing significantly altered soil aggregate composition. Compared with control, the content of large aggregates (0.25-2 mm) was unchanged in light grazing but significantly decreased in treatments with moderate and heavy grazing intensities. Heavy grazing significantly decreased the content of small aggregates (0.053-0.25 mm), while light and moderate grazing significantly increased that of microaggregates (<0.053 mm). Soil aggregate stability was maintained at a high level under light grazing, but significantly decreased under moderate and heavy grazing treatments. Soil aggregate stability was positively correlated with macroaggregate content but negatively correlated with microaggregate content. Soil pH, bulk density, organic carbon and other physicochemical indices jointly contributed to the changes of soil aggregate composition and hence affect soil aggregate stability. In conclusion, our results showed that appropriate grazing could maintain high level of soil aggregate stability in desert steppe.