Response of Salsola passerina rangeland to simulated grazing intensity

The relationship between grass and livestock is the key issue of grazing ecology. Salsola passerine, the typical desert rangeland plant in Alashan, was selected to study its response to grazing under different simulated grazing intensities in order to provide proper management suggestions. The results showed that the population density of S. passerina was increased under light, moderate and heavy grazing conditions. The canopy cover area did not significantly vary among treatments. The plant height was the highest under moderate grazing condition, which was followed by light grazing and heavy grazing. The biomass was significantly impacted by treatments, and it was increased under light and moderate grazing but was decreased under heavy grazing. Compensation growth was obvious in autumn. The moderate grazing in spring was propitious to better compensatory growth and the compensatory growth was not obvious in summer. So, the moderate grazing was proper for the recover and health of S. passerina rangeland and this type of rangeland possesses excellent resistance to grazing especially in autumn.