Various adaptations of meadow forage grasses in response to temperature changes on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China

Abstract

Global warming is considered a pivotal environmental factor influencing the growth of meadow forage grasses and the balance of alpine meadow ecosystems, especially on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. The objective of this study was to evaluate the adaptability of introducing and restoring forage grass species on the Hongyuan prairie in response to temperature changes. Based on the analysis of photosynthetic parameters such as PN, GS, CI, Vcmax, Jmax, Fv/Fm, Fv′/Fm′, qP, and ΦPSII for different forage grass species grown in the alpine meadow area, we found the local native grass species had photosynthetic capacities that were more sensitive to temperature changes than those of the introduced species. Among the several kinds of introduced forage grasses, reed canary grass showed the greatest redistribution of absorbed light energy when light energy exceeded the utilization capacity. Reed canary grass also showed an increased distribution of biomass in its roots and a decreased distribution of biomass in its stems. Overall, reed canary grass is a potential resource to address grassland desertification and to restore or reconstruct meadow grass ecosystems in accordance with the temperature changes.