Effects of Grazing Residuals and Simulated Precipitation on Soil Particle Size and Organic Carbon in Desert Steppe
This study investigated the long-term effects(residual effects)of grazing intensity and altered precipitation regimes on soil particle size composition and organic carbon content in a Stipa breviflora desert steppe ecosystem located in Inner Mongolia,China.A simulated precipitation experiment was established within three grazing intensities(no grazing,light grazing,and heavy grazing)alongside a field control.Four precipitation gradients were implemented:50%reduction in natural precipitation,natural precipitation level,50%increase in natural precipitation,and 100%increase in natural precipitation.Soil samples were collected in August of the growing season,and the soil particle size composition and soil organic carbon content were ana-lyzed.The results showed the following:1)Both grazing residual effect and precipitation change significantly impacted soil organic carbon content(P<0.05).The grazing residual effect positively affected on soil organic carbon content,while changes in precipitation negatively affected soil organic carbon content.2)Grazing residual effect,precipitation change,and their interaction significantly affected soil clay and silt content(P<0.05).Soils under a legacy of light grazing exhibited higher clay and silt content compared to those under heavy grazing.Furthermore,increased precipitation in conjunction with heavy grazing legacy led to a decrease in clay and silt contents,while soil sand particles content under a legacy of heavy grazing exhibited the opposite trend.3)The study suggested that grazing residual effect and precipitation changes directly influence soil organic car-bon content and indirectly affected it through alternations in soil particle size composition.In conclusion,light grazing and appropriate precipitation levels resulted in optimal soil texture and organic carbon content within the desert steppe.The findings also indicate that soil organic carbon content and particle size composition remain affected by grazing history even after six years of enclosure.The combined effects of grazing and extreme pre-cipitation events can significantly alter soil particle size composition,further impacting the accumulation of soil organic carbon.