Distribution of Alpine Meadow Grassy Hills Under the Moisture Gradient Induced by Vegetation Habitats Spatial Change Pattern

doi:10.11733/j.issn.1007-0435.2026.03.026

Acta Agrestia Sinica ›› 2026, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (3): 1029-1040.DOI: 10.11733/j.issn.1007-0435.2026.03.026

Distribution of Alpine Meadow Grassy Hills Under the Moisture Gradient Induced by Vegetation Habitats Spatial Change Pattern

ZHANG Yu-kun^1,2, WANG Hong-bin³, LI Chen-hui³, ZHANG Da-cai³

1. Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai Province 810008, China;
2. Qinghai Sanjiangyuan Grassland Ecosystem National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Xining, Qinghai Province 810008, China;
3. Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation in Southwest China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration; College of Forestry, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, Yunnan Province 650224, China

Received:2025-03-31 Revised:2025-05-26 Published:2026-03-23

水分梯度下高寒草甸草丘分布引起植被生境的空间变化

张煜坤^1,2, 王洪斌³, 李辰晖³, 张大才³

1. 中国科学院西北高原生物研究所, 青海西宁 810008;
2. 青海三江源草地生态系统国家野外科学观测研究站, 青海西宁 810008;
3. 国家林业和草原局西南地区生物多样性保育重点实验室, 西南林业大学林学院, 云南昆明 650224

通讯作者: 张大才，E-mail：dczhang24@163.com
作者简介:张煜坤（1994-），男，汉族，青海格尔木人，硕士，主要从事生态环境保护，E-mail：124203919@qq.com；
基金资助:
国家自然科学基金项目（31960340）资助

Abstract

Abstract: In alpine meadows， the surface soil heaves to form hummocks under the influence of frost heaving， transforming the originally relatively homogeneous habitat into a heterogeneous one. In this study， 9 sampling plots were established along a soil moisture gradient in the alpine meadows of the Western Sichuan Plateau. We compared and analyzed the differences in plant communities and species diversity between hummocks and inter-hummock meadows under different soil moisture conditions. The results showed that： Soil physical properties and soil chemical properties exerted effects on the plant diversity of hummocks and inter-hummock meadows， respectively. The plant community on hummocks gradually transitioned from Kobresia （sedge）-dominated vegetation to shrub-dominated vegetation， while the plant community in inter-hummock meadows gradually shifted from Carex （sedge） and Kobresia-dominated vegetation to grass-dominated vegetation. The abundance of weedy plants and occasional species in hummocks was significantly higher than that in inter-hummock meadows. Habitat aridification increased the dissimilarity in species composition between hummocks and inter-hummock meadows， and the dissimilarity in species composition of hummocks was higher under different soil moisture conditions. In conclusion， hummocks tend to aridify the microhabitat and provide favorable conditions for the invasion of occasional species. Although hummocks increase plant diversity， they have a negative impact on the stability of alpine meadow vegetation. This research holds significant implications for guiding the conservation and management of alpine meadow vegetation.

Key words: Alpine meadow, Spatial differentiation, Species diversity, Grass hummocks, Inter-hummock meadows

摘要： 高寒草甸受冻胀作用的影响，表层土壤隆起形成草丘，使原本较同质的生境异质化。本研究在川西高原高寒草甸沿土壤水分梯度设置9个样地，对比分析了不同土壤水分条件下草丘和丘间草地植物群落及物种多样性的差异，这项研究对于指导高寒草甸植被的保护与管理具有重要意义。结果表明：土壤物理性质和土壤化学性质分别对草丘和丘间草地的植物多样性产生影响。沿土壤水分梯度，草丘植物群落由嵩草类植物逐渐向灌丛类植物过渡，而丘间草地植物群落则由苔草类和嵩草类植物逐渐向禾草类植物过渡。草丘中的杂类草植物和偶见种植物数量显著高于丘间草地，生境干旱化导致草丘和丘间草地的物种组成相异性增大且不同土壤水分条件下草丘物种组成相异性更高。综上所述，草丘使微生境趋于干旱化且为偶见种植物的侵入提供了有利条件，但植物多样性增加的同时对高寒草甸植被的稳定性具有负面影响。

关键词: 高寒草甸, 空间分异, 物种多样性, 草丘, 丘间草地

CLC Number:

S812

ZHANG Yu-kun, WANG Hong-bin, LI Chen-hui, ZHANG Da-cai. Distribution of Alpine Meadow Grassy Hills Under the Moisture Gradient Induced by Vegetation Habitats Spatial Change Pattern[J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 2026, 34(3): 1029-1040.

张煜坤, 王洪斌, 李辰晖, 张大才. 水分梯度下高寒草甸草丘分布引起植被生境的空间变化[J]. 草地学报, 2026, 34(3): 1029-1040.

References

[1] LIU X Y，XIONG Z Q，OUYANG L，et al. Macrohabitat and microhabitat mediate the relationships between wetland multifaceted biodiversity and multifunctionality[J]. Catena，2024，241：108023
[2] LI W，CUI L J，SUN B D，et al. Distribution patterns of plant communities and their associations with environmental soil factors on the eastern shore of Lake Taihu，China[J]. Ecosystem Health and Sustainability，2017，3（9）：1385004
[3] HU B B，LI H H，LIANG Z P，et al. Diversity and fauna of butterflies in baxian mountain state nature reserves[J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica，2010，30（12）：3226-3238胡冰冰，李后魂，梁之聘，等. 八仙山自然保护区蝴蝶群落多样性及区系组成[J]. 生态学报，2010，30（12）：3226-3238
[4] CHEN S B，OUYANG Z Y，XU W H，et al. A review of beta diversity studies[J]. Biodiversity Science，2010，18（4）：323-335陈圣宾，欧阳志云，徐卫华，等. Beta多样性研究进展[J]. 生物多样性，2010，18（4）：323-335
[5] CHAO A，RICOTTA C. Quantifying evenness and linking it to diversity，beta diversity，and similarity[J]. Ecology，2019，100（12）：e02852
[6] MACKAY J R. The origin of hummocks，western Arctic coast，Canada[J]. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences，1980，17（8）：996-1006
[7] NUNGESSER M K. Modelling microtopography in boreal peatlands： hummocks and hollows[J]. Ecological Modelling，2003，165（2/3）：175-207
[8] ZHOU H K，ZHAO X Q，ZHOU L，et al. A study on correlations between vegetation degradation and soil degradation in the Alpine Meadow of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau[J]. Acta Pratacultural Science，2005，14（3）：31-40周华坤，赵新全，周立，等. 青藏高原高寒草甸的植被退化与土壤退化特征研究[J]. 草业学报，2005，14（3）：31-40
[9] LIU S S，WANG M，DONG Y M，et al. The influence of hummock microtopography on plant litter decomposition in Carex peat mire[J]. Chinese Journal of Ecology，2018，37（1）：95-102刘双双，王铭，董彦民，等. 草丘微地貌对苔草泥炭沼泽枯落物分解的影响[J]. 生态学杂志，2018，37（1）：95-102
[10] WU X S，ZHAO C Z，MA X Y，et al. Spatial pattern and interspecific association of Beckmannia syzigachne and Kobresia tibetica in an alpine peatland[J]. Chinese Journal of Ecology，2024，43（6）：1621-1628吴娴诗，赵成章，马昕宇，等. 高寒泥炭沼泽菵草与藏嵩草种群空间分布格局及其关联性[J]. 生态学杂志，2024，43（6）：1621-1628
[11] XU Y B，LI Q，XIE S Y，et al. Composition and sources of heavy metals in aerosol at a remote site of Southeast Tibetan Plateau，China[J]. Science of the Total Environment，2022，845：157308
[12] ZHU G Q，YUAN C X，GONG H D，et al. Effects of short-term grazing prohibition on soil physical and chemical properties of meadows in Southwest China[J]. PeerJ，2021，9：e11598
[13] ZHU N，SUN J，SHI N，et al. Effects of short-term fence enclosing on plant community and the physical and chemical properties of alpine meadow soils[J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica，2023，31（3）：834-843朱牛，孙建，石凝，等. 短期围栏封育对高寒草甸植物群落及土壤理化性质的影响[J]. 草地学报，2023，31（3）：834-843
[14] QIAN H，RICKLEFS R E，WHITE P S. Beta diversity of angiosperms in temperate floras of eastern Asia and eastern North America[J]. Ecology Letters，2005，8（1）：15-22
[15] ZHOU J G，LI L，WEI S G. Influencing factors of functional redundancy and functional vulnerability of common and occasional species in south Asian tropical forests[J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica，2024，44（2）：699-711周景钢，李林，魏识广. 南亚热带森林常见种和偶见种的功能多样性特征[J]. 生态学报，2024，44（2）：699-711
[16] JOHNSTON C A，ZEDLER J B. Identifying preferential associates to initiate restoration plantings[J]. Restoration Ecology，2012，20（6）：764-772
[17] WANG M，WANG G D，WANG S Z，et al. Structure and richness of Carex meyeriana tussocks in peatlands of northeastern China[J]. Wetlands，2018，38（1）：15-23
[18] HE M R，XIN C M，MA M J. Change in grass hill size can signal species diversity changes and ecosystem state transitions during alpine wetland degradation[J]. Ecological Indicators，2021，132：108302
[19] MU X M. Study on the spatial pattern of plant community in alpine meadow on northeast[D]. Lanzhou：Lanzhou University，2015：50牟晓明. 青藏高原东北缘高寒草甸植物群落空间格局研究[D]. 兰州：兰州大学，2015：50
[20] LI G Y，MU J P，LIU Y Z，et al. Effect of microtopography on soil respiration in an alpine meadow of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau[J]. Plant and Soil，2017，421（1）：147-155
[21] WU X W，WANG Y C，SUN S C. Long-term fencing decreases plant diversity and soil organic carbon concentration of the Zoige alpine meadows on the eastern Tibetan Plateau[J]. Plant and Soil，2021，458（1）：191-200
[22] KOTROCZÓ Z，MAKÁDI M，KOCSIS T，et al. Long-term changes in organic matter content and soil moisture determine the degree of root and soil respiration[J]. Plants，2023，12（2）：251
[23] BIASI C，WANEK W，RUSALIMOVA O，et al. Microtopography and plant-cover controls on nitrogen dynamics in hummock tundra ecosystems in Siberia[J]. Arctic，Antarctic，and Alpine Research，2005，37（4）：435-443
[24] GRAB S. Aspects of the geomorphology，genesis and environmental significance of earth hummocks （thúfur，pounus）： miniature cryogenic mounds[J]. Progress in Physical Geography：Earth and Environment，2005，29（2）：139-155
[25] LIU Y L，DU J Q，XU X L，et al. Microtopography-induced ecohydrological effects alter plant community structure[J]. Geoderma，2020，362：114119
[26] XUE X，YOU Q G，PENG F，et al. Experimental warming aggravates degradation-induced topsoil drought in alpine meadows of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau[J]. Land Degradation & Development，2017，28（8）：2343-2353
[27] WANG Y B，WU Q B，TIAN L M，et al. Correlation of alpine vegetation degradation and soil nutrient status of permafrost in the source regions of the Yangtze River，China[J]. Environmental Earth Sciences，2012，67（4）：1215-1223
[28] PEACH M，ZEDLER J B. How tussocks structure sedge meadow vegetation[J]. Wetlands，2006，26（2）：322-335
[29] HONG J T，MA X X，ZHANG X K，et al. Nitrogen uptake pattern of herbaceous plants： coping strategies in altered neighbor species[J]. Biology and Fertility of Soils，2017，53（7）：729-735
[30] WANG W Y，MA Y G，XU J，et al. The uptake diversity of soil nitrogen nutrients by main plant species in Kobresia humilis alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau[J]. Science China Earth Sciences，2012，55（10）：1688-1695
[31] LIU W J，CHEN S Y，ZHAO Q，et al. Variation and control of soil organic carbon and other nutrients in permafrost regions on central Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau[J]. Environmental Research Letters，2014，9（11）：114013
[32] WERNER K J，ZEDLER J B. How sedge meadow soils，microtopography，and vegetation respond to Sedimentation[J]. Wetlands，2002，22（3）：451-466
[33] CARDINALE B J，PALMER M A，SWAN C M，et al. The influence of substrate heterogeneity on biofilm metabolism in a stream ecosystem[J]. Ecology，2002，83（2）：412-422
[34] QI Q，LIU X W，TONG S Z，et al. Analysis of landscape pattern changes of restored tussock wetland in Sun Island，Harbin，China[J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica，2019，39（14）：5261-5267齐清，刘晓伟，佟守正，等. 苔草草丘恢复湿地的景观格局变化——以哈尔滨太阳岛为例[J]. 生态学报，2019，39（14）：5261-5267
[35] YANG S H，LI Y N，PU J Y，et al. Investigation of the plant community and soil environmental factors of three alpine vegetation types[J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica，2006，14（1）：77-83杨时海，李英年，蒲继延，等. 三种高寒草甸植被类型植物群落结构及其土壤环境因子研究[J]. 草地学报，2006，14（1）：77-83
[36] WANG Y T，BI Y T，WANG Q，et al. Spatial differentiation of plant species diversity in subalpine meadows in Shanxi Province[J]. Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin，2018，34（18）：77-83王誉陶，毕玉婷，王倩，等. 山西亚高山草甸植物群落物种多样性的空间分异[J]. 中国农学通报，2018，34（18）：77-83
[37] BISWAS S R，MALLIK A U，BRAITHWAITE N T，et al. Effects of disturbance type and microhabitat on species and functional diversity relationship in stream-bank plant communities[J]. Forest Ecology and Management，2019，432：812-822
[38] NIU Y J，YANG S W，ZHU H M，et al. Cyclic formation of zokor mounds promotes plant diversity and renews plant communities in alpine meadows on the Tibetan Plateau[J]. Plant and Soil，2020，446（1）：65-79
[39] WU G L，LI X L，GAO J. The evolution of hummock-depression micro-topography in an alpine marshy wetland in Sanjiangyuan as inferred from vegetation and soil characteristics[J]. Ecology and Evolution，2021，11（9）：3901-3916
[40] LÜ Y H，ZHAO M D，ZHOU H K，et al. Response of plant community structure to soil water content in luanhaizi alpine wetlands，Qinghai Province[J]. Wetland Science，2017，15（5）：697-704吕艳花，赵明德，周华坤，等. 青海乱海子高寒湿地植物群落结构对土壤水分变化的响应[J]. 湿地科学，2017，15（5）：697-704
[41] ALADOS C L，ELAICH A，PAPANASTASIS V P，et al. Change in plant spatial patterns and diversity along the successional gradient of Mediterranean grazing ecosystems[J]. Ecological Modelling，2004，180（4）：523-535
[42] JI W，JESKE C. Spatial modeling of the geographic distribution of wildlife populations： a case study in the lower Mississippi River region[J]. Ecological Modelling，2000，132（1/2）：95-104
[43] YUAN Z，WEI S P，JIA L M，et al. Differentiation of vegetation characteristics on micro-topography in gneiss mountainous area of Pingshan County，Hebei Province of northern China[J]. Journal of Beijing Forestry University，2017，39（2）：49-57袁振，魏松坡，贾黎明，等. 河北平山片麻岩山区微地形植物群落异质性[J]. 北京林业大学学报，2017，39（2）：49-57
[44] WANG W Y，WANG Q J，JING Z C，et al. Effects of vegetation cover change of alpine kobersia meadow on plant community structure and diversity in source region of the Yangtze and Yellow River[J]. Resources Science，2006，28（2）：118-124王文颖，王启基，景增春，等. 江河源区高山嵩草草甸覆被变化对植物群落特征及多样性的影响[J]. 资源科学，2006，28（2）：118-124
[45] WANG M，XU B，ZHANG D Y，et al. Changes in plant community biomass and biodiversity along soil moisture content gradients in Xilin River basin，Inner Mongolia[J]. Journal of Beijing Normal University （Natural Science），2016，52（4）：445-449王萌，徐冰，张大勇，等. 内蒙古草原锡林河流域植物群落生物量及多样性沿土壤水分含量梯度的变化[J]. 北京师范大学学报（自然科学版），2016，52（4）：445-449
[46] NI H W，MA K M，ZHAO F C. The fractal character of the distribution pattern of Deyeuxia angustifolia population I. box dimension[J]. Bulletin of Botanical Research，2000，20（2）：229-234倪红伟，马克明，赵伏臣. 小叶章种群分布格局的分形特征Ⅰ计盒维数[J]. 植物研究，2000，20（2）：229-234
[47] QI Q. Responses of Carex tussock wetland landscape-structure carbon sink function changes to hydrological conditions[D]. Harbin：Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology，Chinese Academy of Sciences，2021：3齐清. 苔草草丘湿地景观-结构-碳汇功能变化对水文条件的响应[D]. 哈尔滨：中国科学院大学（中国科学院东北地理与农业生态研究所），2021：3
[48] WANG M，LI X L，DONG Y M，et al. Plant species diversity of Carex peat mire in Changbai Mountains，China[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology，2021，32（6）：2138-2146王铭，李兴丽，董彦民，等. 长白山区苔草泥炭沼泽植物物种多样性[J]. 应用生态学报，2021，32（6）：2138-2146

Distribution of Alpine Meadow Grassy Hills Under the Moisture Gradient Induced by Vegetation Habitats Spatial Change Pattern

水分梯度下高寒草甸草丘分布引起植被生境的空间变化

PDF

Knowledge

Abstract

Cite this article

share this article

References

Related Articles 15

Recommended Articles

Metrics

Comments

[1]	CHEN Lin-yao, LIU Nan, MA Jiao-lin, GUO Rong-ming, XIA Mao-lin, WAN Yun-fan, WU Jian-shuang. Effects of Environmental Factors and Livestock Grazing Exclusion on Physiological Indicators of Cold-Tolerance of Common Forage Species in Alpine Meadows on North Tibet Plateau [J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 2026, 34(3): 917-928.
[2]	BI Xin, YU Tian-qi, SHI Meng-yuan, XIN Xiao-ping, ZHANG Zhi-tao, YAN Rui-rui, HAN Guo-dong. The Influences of Grazing Intensity on the Composition of Plant Communities and Ecological Niches in the Leymus chinensis Meadow Steppe [J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 2026, 34(2): 403-414.
[3]	YANG Zhuo-li, LIU Xiao-ni, ZHANG De-gang, QI Hao, JI Tong, HE Guo-xing, LI Ya-li, WANG Yun-jun, MA Cheng-long, LI Jia-jin, YU Yao-xin. Water-holding Capacity and Stoichiometric Characterization of Alpine Meadow Soils with Different Degradation Levels in Gannan [J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 2026, 34(1): 107-117.
[4]	BAO Zhi-peng, LIN Dong, LIU Xue-peng, LUO Wei-wei, SONG Yi-nuo, HUA Xin-ying. Effects of Grazing Intensities on Soil Organic Carbon and its Fractions in Alpine Meadows [J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 2026, 34(1): 172-181.
[5]	YUAN Ying, LI Xi-lai, CHAI Yu, ZHANG Jing, WU Xi, ZHOU Yi-zhi, GAO Pei. Assessment of the Effectiveness of Alpine Meadow Ecological Restoration and the Responses of Plant Communities and Soil Characteristics to Different Rodent Disturbances [J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 2026, 34(1): 191-202.
[6]	LI Jia-jin, LIU Xiao-ni, JI Tong, HE Guo-xing, LI Ya-li, YANG Zhuo-li, QI Hao, YU Yao-xin. Effects of Ecological Restoration on the Characteristics and Stability of Different Grassland Communities in the East Qilian Mountains [J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 2026, 34(1): 301-312.
[7]	HAN Meng-jie, LIU Chao, LIANG Hong-fei, MA Hai-tao, MA Hong-bin, SHEN Yan, WANG Guo-hui. The impact of Different Altitude on Soil Seed Banks in Temperate Mountainous Grassland [J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 2025, 33(9): 2755-2764.
[8]	DUAN Jun-guang, FANG Kai, CHU Jian-min, WANG Ying-xin, ZHANG Qi. Effects of Degradation Stages on the Relationship Between Species Diversity and Soil Nutrients in Typical Steppe [J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 2025, 33(9): 2890-2899.
[9]	ZHAO Hai-dong, LIANG Hai-hong, HU Xiao-wen, FENG Yan-hao, CHANG Sheng-hua, LI Chun-jie, HOU Fu-jiang. The Preliminary Effects of Ecological Restoration Measures in Degraded Alpine Meadows were Evaluated based on Grassland Revegetation Index [J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 2025, 33(9): 3057-3067.
[10]	WANG Rui, SU Shi-feng, YIN Ya-li, ZHAO Wen, WANG Yan-long, LI Shi-xiong. Effects of Grazing on Soil Phosphorus Conversion Rate in Alpine Meadow in Spring Pasture [J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 2025, 33(8): 2502-2511.
[11]	DUAN Jun-guang, FANG Kai, PEI Lu, CHU Jian-min, ZHANG Jin-xin, LI Xiao-xia, WANG Ying-xin. Changes of Trade-offs Between Aboveground and Belowground Plant Biomass Across Different Grazing Intensities of Alpine Meadow [J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 2025, 33(8): 2575-2584.
[12]	JIANG Cheng-dong, LI Guo-rong, TONG Sheng-chun, LI Jin-fang, ZHU Hai-li, LIU Ya-bin, CHEN Weng-ting, HU Xia-song. Effects of Soil Characteristics on Vegetation Diversity in Alpine Meadow Rat Mound Patchs in the Yellow River Source [J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 2025, 33(8): 2652-2665.
[13]	DAI Rong, LIU Su-xing, WANG Zheng-wen, ZHOU Xia-yan, BAI Ya-jun, CAO Wen-xia. Effects of Different Fertilization Modes on Vegetation and Soil of Alpine Meadow in Gannan Prefecture [J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 2025, 33(7): 2184-2197.
[14]	WU Ke-jun, HE Li, LI Hong-lin, DENG Dong-zhou, YAN Wu-xian, CHEN De-chao. Characteristics of Soil Seed Banks in Different Degrees of Desertified Grasslands in the Alpine Region of Northwest Sichuan [J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 2025, 33(6): 1817-1825.
[15]	ZHANG Yi, HU Jian, ZHOU Qing-ping, WANG Hong-yu, CHEN Jiang-mei, WANG San-xin, WANG Jia-qi, MA Wen-ting, SUN Huan. Effects of Shrub Removal Management Measures on Soil Water Conservation Function in Alpine Shrub-encroached Grassland [J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 2025, 33(6): 1912-1923.