Assessment of Grassland Carrying Capacity and Grass–Livestock Balance in the Three River Headwaters Region Under Different Scenarios
Simple Summary
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Area
2.2. Data Sources
2.3. Research Methods
2.3.1. Grass Yield Calculation and Mann-Kendall (MK) Test
2.3.2. Calculation of Actual Livestock Carrying Capacity (CC)
2.3.3. Calculation of Theoretical Livestock Carrying Capacity (CC)
2.3.4. Calculation of Crude Protein Yield of Edible Forage
2.3.5. Calculation of Grass and Livestock Balance and Overgrazing Rate in Different Scenarios
2.3.6. Evaluation Grade Classification of Grass–Livestock Balance and Overgrazing Rate
3. Results
3.1. Analysis of Grass Yield
3.2. Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Actual Livestock Carrying Capacity (CC)
3.3. Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Theoretical Carrying Capacity (CC)
3.3.1. Theoretical Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Livestock Carrying Capacity (CC) Under Complete Grazing Conditions
3.3.2. Theoretical Crude Protein Carrying Capacity (CC) of Edible Pasture Under Nutrient Loading
3.4. Grass–Livestock Balance Under Different Scenarios
3.4.1. The Grass–Livestock Balance Under Complete Grazing Conditions
3.4.2. The Grass–Livestock Balance Under Artificial Supplementary Feeding Conditions
3.4.3. The Grass–Livestock Balance Under Nutrient Carrying Capacity (CC)
4. Discussion
4.1. Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Grass Yield and Supply–Demand Contradictions in the TRHR
4.2. The Balance of Grass and Livestock in the TRHR and the Impact of Artificial Supplementary Feeding on It
4.3. Influencing Factors and Limitations of Grassland Carrying Capacity (CC) Assessment
4.4. Recommendations for Improving Grassland Management
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
TRHR | Three River Headwaters Region |
CC | carrying capacity |
SU | sheep units |
NPP | Net Primary Productivity |
MK | Mann-Kendall |
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Classification | Overgrazing Rate |
---|---|
Understocking | B < 0 |
Balanced Stocking | 0 ≤ B < 15% |
Overstocking | 15% ≤ B < 50% |
Severe Overstocking | B ≥ 50 |
Period | Crude Protein Yield g/m−2 | Maintenance of Basic Metabolism SU/hm−2 | Maintenance of 45 kg Body Weight SU/hm−2 | Standard Sheep Body Weight Gain 100 g per Day SU/hm−2 |
---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | 2.54 | 12.90 | 7.40 | 4.58 |
2005 | 2.78 | 14.11 | 8.09 | 5.00 |
2010 | 3.21 | 16.32 | 9.37 | 5.79 |
2015 | 2.67 | 13.56 | 7.78 | 4.81 |
2020 | 3.11 | 15.79 | 9.06 | 5.60 |
2023 | 3.02 | 15.36 | 8.81 | 5.45 |
Grass–Livestock Balance and Overgrazing Rate | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2023 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maintenance of basic metabolism | −0.94 | −0.95 | −0.95 | −0.94 | −0.95 | −0.95 |
Maintenance of 45 kg body weight | −0.90 | −0.91 | −0.92 | −0.90 | −0.91 | −0.90 |
Standard sheep body weight gain 100 g per day | −0.84 | −0.85 | −0.86 | −0.83 | −0.85 | −0.85 |
Maintenance of basic metabolism | −0.94 | −0.95 | −0.95 | −0.94 | −0.95 | −0.95 |
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Li, W.; Luo, Q.; Chen, Z.; Liu, Y.; Li, Z.; Wang, W. Assessment of Grassland Carrying Capacity and Grass–Livestock Balance in the Three River Headwaters Region Under Different Scenarios. Biology 2025, 14, 978. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14080978
Li W, Luo Q, Chen Z, Liu Y, Li Z, Wang W. Assessment of Grassland Carrying Capacity and Grass–Livestock Balance in the Three River Headwaters Region Under Different Scenarios. Biology. 2025; 14(8):978. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14080978
Chicago/Turabian StyleLi, Wenjing, Qiong Luo, Zhe Chen, Yanlin Liu, Zhouyuan Li, and Wenying Wang. 2025. "Assessment of Grassland Carrying Capacity and Grass–Livestock Balance in the Three River Headwaters Region Under Different Scenarios" Biology 14, no. 8: 978. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14080978
APA StyleLi, W., Luo, Q., Chen, Z., Liu, Y., Li, Z., & Wang, W. (2025). Assessment of Grassland Carrying Capacity and Grass–Livestock Balance in the Three River Headwaters Region Under Different Scenarios. Biology, 14(8), 978. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14080978