Comparison of soil properties under fencing and grazing in alpine meadow on QinghaiTibet Plateau

Soil properties under two conditions (fenced without grazing since 2002 and continuously grazed in the winter) were compared in the alpine meadow on QinghaiTibet Plateau. Under the two conditions, soil respiration rate, root biomass, soil water content, bulk densities, soil organic carbon and total nitrogen contents were compared and analyzed. The results showed that the soil respiration rate, bulk density and root biomass at the wintergrazed meadow were higher than those at the fenced meadow; while the soil water content, organic carbon and total nitrogen contents at the wintergrazed meadow were lower than those at the fenced meadow. Moderate grazing in the alpine meadow could increase the activities of soil microbes and accelerate mineralization and decomposition of soil nitrogen and organic carbon. However, appropriate exclusion of grazing can maintain soil nutrients and avoid loss of soil organic matter.