Effects of enclosure on the plant species and coverage of degenerated upland meadow in Yunnan Province

The effect of enclosing on the improvement of degenerated upland meadow was conducted. The result showed that this measure was very effective to restore plant species richness and coverage on deteriorated upland meadow. After 3 years of enclosure, the number of plant species increased from 27 to 57, 2 times more than before; and reached stable at the 4th year. It was concluded that enclosure was an effective way to inhibit grassland degradation, restore plant species richness and coverage in southern China.