The Divergence and Convergence of Aneurolepidium chinense Steppe and Stipa grandis Steppe under the Grazing Influence in Xilin River Valley, Inner Mongolia
Abstract:Aneurolepidium chinense steppe and Stipa grandis steppe are two main community-types of the typical temperate semi-arid steppe in eastern part of the Eurasian continent al steppe region, widely distributed in the eastern part of the Mongolian plateau. Their structures are closely related to grazing pressure. This relationship was analysed based on two typical gradients of grazing pressure. The fuzzy cluster expressed the divergence of the similar communities under different grazing pressure and the convergence of the different communities under heavy grazing pressure, i.e., both Aneurolepidium chinense steppe and Stipa grandis steppe will change into Artemisia frigida steppe through the regressive succession if sustained grazing pressure is imposed.