Effects of drought on grassland turning green period in Inner Mongolia

Taking the relationship between April precipitation and grass turning green time into consideration, direct loss assessment caused by the drought on the grass turning green was studied. The results showed that grass turning green and April precipitation were negatively correlated, and the correlation coefficient was -0.185. If April precipitation reduced by 30% to 50%, grass turning green time will be delayed 5 to 15 days in the desert steppe. When April precipitation reduced over 50%, grass turning green time will be delayed 10 days in the typical steppe and meadow steppe. Correspondence of drought grade and cost of the loss between the feeding and drinking water was established, along with the fulfillment of quantitative assessment of direct economic losses of drought on the grass turning green. The assessment model is in line with the regularity of grass pasture growth and livestock production characteristics, a case assessment may reflect livestock actual loss extent. This model is able to apply on assessing influence of drought on the grassland animal husbandry service.