4.1 | Recommendations for grazing in environmentally
sensitive areas
In this study, soil nutrients decreased with increasing grazing
intensity, and soil microorganisms MBC and MBN increased with increasing
grazing intensity, indicating that the negative effects of grazing were
greater in alpine meadows with poor geographical environment. The
results of structural equation model analysis (FIG. 3(e)(g)) showed that
under LG treatment, the grassland could maintain a relatively stable
soil environment, while under MG treatment, there was a decoupling of
the interaction between various soil factors and soil microbial biomass,
and only a weak interaction relationship existed between SOM and other
nutrient factors instead of an interaction network, indicating that the
alpine meadow with restricted environment was more vulnerable. Excessive
disturbance can disrupt the internal stability of the ecosystem and even
impair its function, which may lead to grassland degradation in the long
term. At the same time, the stimulating effect of soil microorganisms,
although leading to short-term accumulation of TN and SOM, will cause
more carbon release and thus affect soil carbon storage. In addition,
overactive microorganisms will compete with vegetation for nutrients,
resulting in nutrient competition between microorganisms and vegetation,
which will slow the recovery of vegetation and cause vegetation
degradation in the long run.