title: Effects of stocking rates on functional group diversity and forage quality in rangeland of Qilian Mountain, China.
abstract: The present study aimed at investigating a balance between environment and livestock grazing, through identifying appropriate stocking rate in rangeland with highest biodiversity and forage quality. The experiment was carried out to determine the effects of six stocking rates on Shannon Weiner index of functional group diversity and nutritive value and relationship between them in the edge of the Tibetan plateau of China. The results showed that abundance of functional group diversity indices were significantly influenced by stocking rates (p < 0.05) and the highest appeared in 2.5 and 2.6 animal month unit (AMU) ha(-1)'. There were significant differences in forage content of nitrogen (N), water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) under stocking rates (p<0.05). There were higher N and WSC content but lower NDF and ADF content under 2.5 and 2.6 AMU ha(-1) than other stocking rates. Positive relationship was found between all functional group diversity indices and N and WSC content of community but negative relationship between all functional group diversity indices and NDF and ADF content of community. All the results represented that moderate control of stocking rates was an effective management measure to protect functional diversity, improve forage quality and sustain rangeland health.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhanq
authors.forename: Xianjiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yunxiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Shenghua
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Fujiang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hou
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D002681:China; D003670:Deer; D060434:Herbivory; D010944:Plants