Steppe felt accumulation in Leymus chinensis communities of eastern Transbaikalia and transformation of its chemical composition

Abstract

The study objective is to determine stocks and chemical composition of died phytomass and felt in Leymus coenoses in southeastern Transbaikalia. Using standard field geobotanical tools, the authors have determined macroelement composition by generally accepted techniques, calculated indicators of litter-fall index (LFI), C/N, C/P, C:N:S:P, Ca/K ratios. Statistical data processing has been carried out in Microsoft Excel. At present, the felt stock is 54 – 107 g/m2. Died phytomass content depends on the species composition in the coenoses, soil and environmental conditions of their growth, and the grazing load degree. The coefficient of correlation between died phytomass and felt content shows moderate value. The steppe litter-fall index indicates a low rate of felt decomposition. The felt chemical composition is defined by soil and environmental conditions (supply of nutrients and moisture). For the first time study has revealed that died phytomass and felt are highly resistant to decomposition and mineralization according to C/N, C/P, C:N:S:P and Ca/K ratio values in the aboveground phytomass of coenoses. However, the resistance can be adjusted once the species composition, climatic (drought, heavy rainfall) and anthropogenic conditions (spring burnings and steppe fires) change.