Effects of a Cattle and Sheep Dung Sand Barrier on Desertified Grassland Restoration in Alpine Area

Abstract

[Objective] The effects of plant fiber sand barriers, cattle and sheep dung barriers, and sand barriers comprised of cattle and sheep dung combined with plant fiber were studied in order to create effective sand barriers for the restoration of desertified grassland in the alpine area at Maqu County, Gansu Province. [Methods] Sand barriers made of plant fiber, cattle and sheep dung, and cattle and sheep dung combined with plant fiber were installed in the alpine area at Maqu County. Plant and soil characteristics in the grassland before and after installing the sand barriers were compared. [Results] ① Sand barriers made of cattle and sheep dung, and made of cattle and sheep dung combined with plant fiber produced good effects with regard to vegetation restoration. The average plant community cover grew from 7.28% to 48.21% and 58.29%, respectively, and the number of species increased from 4 to 11. Plants grew taller, increasing from an average of 6.67 cm to 35.17 cm and 30.70 cm, respectively. Average plant dry weight increased from 4.46 g/m2 to 81.17 g/m2 and 80.70 g/m2, respectively. The plant dieback rate dropped from 9.55% to 7.0% and 6.80%, respectively; ② Cattle and sheep dung sand barriers as well as cattle and sheep dung sand barriers combined with plant fiber greatly boosted soil nutrients at the 5 cm depth. Total nitrogen increased from 0.154 g/kg to 0.370 g/kg and 0.491 g/kg, respectively. Soil alkaline hydrolyzed nitrogen rose from 4.78 mg/kg to 13.99 mg/kg and 19.78 mg/kg, respectively. Available phosphorus increased from 1.64 mg/kg to 5.54 mg/kg and 6.20 mg/kg, respectively. Available potassium increased from 21.07 mg/kg to 55.37 mg/kg and 56.90 mg/kg, respectively. [Conclusion] Considering the vegetation restoration effects, costs, and degradation factors, cattle and sheep dung sand barriers are the ideal technique for vegetation restoration of desertified grassland in alpine area of Maqu County.

Keywords

• cattle and sheep dung sand barrier
• desertified grassland
• vegetation restoration
• soil nutrient
• alpine area