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The Effect of Fertilizers on Biomass and Biodiversity on a Semi-Arid Grassland of Northern China

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  • Zongyong Tong

    (Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China)

  • Guoling Quan

    (Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China)

  • Liqiang Wan

    (Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China)

  • Feng He

    (Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China)

  • Xianglin Li

    (Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China)

Abstract

Semi-arid grassland in northern China faces degradation and desertification problems, with fertilizer application appearing to be a potential solution by improving soil fertility and plant fields or biodiversity. In this study, mineral and organic fertilizers were used in a semi-arid natural grassland in Hebei Province for three years. The plant characteristics, biomass and species diversity index were assessed and analyzed. In the years 2016 and 2017, mineral fertilizers (RC) significantly increased the total aboveground biomass and the aboveground biomass, natural height, density and coverage of Leymus chinensis compared with organic fertilizers (RO), especially at a moderate application rate (RC 2 ). Leymus chinensis was first divided into its own group and then separated into four groups via cluster tree analysis. The importance values of Leymus chinensis showed continuous increases in mineral fertilizer treatments, but not for organic fertilizers. Margalef’s species richness indexes increased significantly (to 2.09) in the organic treatment (RO 1 ) when compared with RC 2 . Thus, it was concluded that mineral fertilizers could enhance the position of Leymus chinensis in the natural grassland, while organic fertilizers could promote species biodiversity. This study also provides recommendations regarding the use of fertilizers for the purposes of increasing plant biomass and biodiversity in semi-arid grasslands of northern China.

Suggested Citation

  • Zongyong Tong & Guoling Quan & Liqiang Wan & Feng He & Xianglin Li, 2019. "The Effect of Fertilizers on Biomass and Biodiversity on a Semi-Arid Grassland of Northern China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-11, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:10:p:2854-:d:232599
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ma, Wenqi & Li, Jianhui & Ma, Lin & Wang, Fanghao & Sisák, István & Cushman, Gregory & Zhang, Fusuo, 2008. "Nitrogen flow and use efficiency in production and utilization of wheat, rice, and maize in China," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 99(1), pages 53-63, December.
    2. Finger, Robert & Buchmann, Nina, 2015. "An ecological economic assessment of risk-reducing effects of species diversity in managed grasslands," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 89-97.
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    1. Mahmoud F. Seleiman & Nasser Al-Suhaibani & Salah El-Hendawy & Kamel Abdella & Majed Alotaibi & Ali Alderfasi, 2021. "Impacts of Long- and Short-Term of Irrigation with Treated Wastewater and Synthetic Fertilizers on the Growth, Biomass, Heavy Metal Content, and Energy Traits of Three Potential Bioenergy Crops in Ari," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-22, May.

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