Effect of grazing on vegetation and soil nutrients of adesert steppe in Inner Mongolia

The effect of grazing on vegetation and soil nutrients during growing season were examined in a desert steppe in Inner Mongolia. There were four treatments: no grazing (CK), light grazing (LG), moderate grazing (MG), and heavy grazing (HG). The results of the study indicated that with increased grazing intensity, the aboveground biomass declined significantly. In August, as compared with CK, the aboveground biomass of LG, MG, HG decreased by 7.47%, 41.96%, and 51.75%, respectively. There was no significant change in the biodiversity of grassland vegetation communities; however, with increased grazing intensity, the richness decreased. Grazing intensity had no significant impact on soil organic matter and total nitrogen in the short term. The biodiversity of grassland and the organic matter in the surface of the soil were negatively correlated.