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Purpose <p>Alpine meadow degradation alters soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions through changes in soil composition and respiration rates (<i>Rs</i>). Restoration using plant species with different functional traits, including historically non-dominant species, may further affect these processes. To assess how species identity influences CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, we measured <i>Rs</i> in degraded meadows and in sites restored with either historically dominant or non-dominant species, focusing on their impacts on soil C and N dynamics.</p> Methods <p>Biweekly in situ monitoring of <i>Rs</i> in meadow soils was conducted in 2015 and 2016 using a portable LI-8100 analyzer across plots with five treatments: non-degraded meadow (dominated by <i>Miscanthus floridulus</i>), seriously degraded meadows (bare land), or meadows restored using historically dominant (<i>M. floridulus</i>) or non-dominant (<i>Carex chinensis</i> or <i>Fimbristylis dichotoma</i>) plant species.</p> Results <p>Degradation to bare land decreased multiple C and N variables but not nitrate, pH or soil temperature compared with non-degraded meadows. Meadow degradation and restoration decreased and increased cumulative CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by 57.7% and up to 118.1% compared with non-degraded meadow and bare land, respectively. Microbial biomass C contributed 46% and 16% to <i>Rs</i> dynamics in <i>M. floridulus</i>-restored and non-degraded meadows, respectively. Averagely, temperature sensitivity of <i>Rs</i> was 91.1% higher in meadows restored by <i>M. floridulus</i> relative to that by non-dominant species.</p> Conclusion <p>Non-dominant species restoration of degraded meadow reduced <i>Rs</i> temperature sensitivity by modifying soil C, N and microbial activity. These findings reveal how degradation and restoration alter C and N cycling, highlighting the role of species identity and functional traits. This provides a mechanistic basis for science-based strategies to enhance C retention and climate resilience in degraded alpine meadows.</p>

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Restoration with non-dominant species reduces CO2 emissions and temperature sensitivity of soil respiration in degraded meadows

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月2日

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  • Shuli Wang,
  • Evan Siemann,
  • Bangliang Deng,
  • Hongyuan Huang,
  • Xueling Zhang,
  • Wenyuan Zhang,
  • Ling Zhang

摘要

Purpose

Alpine meadow degradation alters soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and CO2 emissions through changes in soil composition and respiration rates (Rs). Restoration using plant species with different functional traits, including historically non-dominant species, may further affect these processes. To assess how species identity influences CO2 emissions, we measured Rs in degraded meadows and in sites restored with either historically dominant or non-dominant species, focusing on their impacts on soil C and N dynamics.

Methods

Biweekly in situ monitoring of Rs in meadow soils was conducted in 2015 and 2016 using a portable LI-8100 analyzer across plots with five treatments: non-degraded meadow (dominated by Miscanthus floridulus), seriously degraded meadows (bare land), or meadows restored using historically dominant (M. floridulus) or non-dominant (Carex chinensis or Fimbristylis dichotoma) plant species.

Results

Degradation to bare land decreased multiple C and N variables but not nitrate, pH or soil temperature compared with non-degraded meadows. Meadow degradation and restoration decreased and increased cumulative CO2 emissions by 57.7% and up to 118.1% compared with non-degraded meadow and bare land, respectively. Microbial biomass C contributed 46% and 16% to Rs dynamics in M. floridulus-restored and non-degraded meadows, respectively. Averagely, temperature sensitivity of Rs was 91.1% higher in meadows restored by M. floridulus relative to that by non-dominant species.

Conclusion

Non-dominant species restoration of degraded meadow reduced Rs temperature sensitivity by modifying soil C, N and microbial activity. These findings reveal how degradation and restoration alter C and N cycling, highlighting the role of species identity and functional traits. This provides a mechanistic basis for science-based strategies to enhance C retention and climate resilience in degraded alpine meadows.