Patterns Functions And Processes Of Alpine Grassland Ecosystems Under Global Change

Patterns, functions, and processes of alpine grassland ecosystems under global change

Grassland Degradation, Restoration, and Sustainable Management of Global Alpine Areas

The grassland ecosystem on the global alpine area has been degraded seriously over the past half century. It can be compared to the Dust-Bowlification, that is, the degradation of American grasslands over the last century. This book was compiled by outstanding researchers who have been engaged in field research on the global alpine area for over 20 years, with the aim of describing the degradation and restoration of grassland on the global alpine area. The long-term field studies and personal experience of the authors describe the process of grassland degradation and the difficulties in the restoration efforts. Grassland degradation and restoration on the global alpine area involves the stripping and regeneration of the grassland's mattic epipedon. The stripping of the mattic epipedon is a unique phenomenon on the global alpine area, which has left many unanswered questions. Is stripping degradation an inherent, inevitable feature of the alpine grassland ecosystem? Is it an avoidable occurrence? Why is ecological restoration of stripped degraded grassland extremely difficult? Does restoration rely on reconstructing the grassland's mattic epipedon? Or can it be done in another way? How can sustainable ecological restoration be achieved? Frontline researchers in global alpine area have used observational evidence from field studies to respond to these questions and to present a comprehensive picture of the problems and drivers of grassland degradation. The climate-environment interaction mechanism of grassland degradation is revealed by the holistic approach in this book. Ecological restoration is discussed through social and economic participation, and past and present restoration actions are analyzed from the perspective of traditional culture and ecological ethics. The future sustainable management of grassland under climate change and social and economic development trend is discussed. This book will alert people to the dangers of degradation and to the difficulties encountered in ecological restoration. - Thoroughly presents the processes of grassland degradation from the novel viewpoint of the stripping of mattic epipedon - Features the most recent studies to provide new research evidence for long-term grassland restoration efforts on the global alpine area - Contains in-depth analysis of the processes, mechanisms, and drivers of grassland degradation. - Discusses the restoration of degraded grasslands using restoration theory and technologies

Vegetation-based Degradation and Restoration on the Alpine Grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau

Known as the “roof of the world,” the Tibetan Plateau is the highest and largest plateau on Earth. Tibetan Plateau hosts several mountain ecosystems characterized by high elevations, cold conditions, and a wide range in water availability. Its unique physical and geographical environment includes ecosystems typical for alpine regions, classified as alpine grasslands, which account for 50-70% of the total land area of the Tibetan plateau. Most of these grasslands contain fragile tundra-like environments which are seriously affected by anthropogenic modifications and whose restoration presents a challenge. These natural grassland types include alpine deserts, alpine steppes, alpine meadows, and alpine swamp meadows along precipitation gradients, as well as the transition types between them. Alpine grasslands remain subject to severe degradation by multiple factors, mainly overgrazing and climate warming. As a result, grasslands exhibit a decreased capacity to support biodiversity and complexity, and more generally, ecosystem functions. Therefore, these changes also affect social and recreational activities and restrict access to clean water and food by local communities.