Effects of Grazing Intensity on Microbial Diversity at Different Soil Depths in Desert Steppe Soils

This study examines the influence of grazing intensity on soil microbial communities in a desert steppe ecosystem. Soil samples were collected from three depths (0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–30 cm) under varying grazing intensities: control (CK), light (LG), moderate (MG), and heavy grazing (HG). Key s...

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Main Authors: Yuxin Wang, Xin Ju, Qian Wu, Guodong Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Agronomy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/1/124
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author Yuxin Wang
Xin Ju
Qian Wu
Guodong Han
author_facet Yuxin Wang
Xin Ju
Qian Wu
Guodong Han
author_sort Yuxin Wang
collection DOAJ
description This study examines the influence of grazing intensity on soil microbial communities in a desert steppe ecosystem. Soil samples were collected from three depths (0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–30 cm) under varying grazing intensities: control (CK), light (LG), moderate (MG), and heavy grazing (HG). Key soil physicochemical properties and plant characteristics were analyzed alongside microbial diversity and community composition, which were assessed by identifying amplicon sequence variants and by conducting linear discriminant analysis effect size. The results showed that grazing intensity significantly impacted soil moisture, organic carbon, total nitrogen, and phosphorus levels, with a notable decrease in plant cover and microbial diversity under heavy grazing. CK and LG treatments supported higher microbial diversity, especially in surface layers, while heavy grazing was associated with a shift in community composition toward stress-tolerant taxa like Acidobacteriota and Blastocatella. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis revealed differences in microbial community structure between soil depths, with the effects of grazing diminishing with depth. These findings highlight the critical role of sustainable grazing practices in maintaining soil health and microbial diversity, with implications for the long-term resilience of desert steppe ecosystems.
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spelling doaj-art-5cdda2e7cbb74cc889c0ca57dbd4e9162025-01-24T13:16:49ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-01-0115112410.3390/agronomy15010124Effects of Grazing Intensity on Microbial Diversity at Different Soil Depths in Desert Steppe SoilsYuxin Wang0Xin Ju1Qian Wu2Guodong Han3College of Grassland, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010019, ChinaCollege of Grassland, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010019, ChinaCollege of Grassland, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010019, ChinaCollege of Grassland, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010019, ChinaThis study examines the influence of grazing intensity on soil microbial communities in a desert steppe ecosystem. Soil samples were collected from three depths (0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–30 cm) under varying grazing intensities: control (CK), light (LG), moderate (MG), and heavy grazing (HG). Key soil physicochemical properties and plant characteristics were analyzed alongside microbial diversity and community composition, which were assessed by identifying amplicon sequence variants and by conducting linear discriminant analysis effect size. The results showed that grazing intensity significantly impacted soil moisture, organic carbon, total nitrogen, and phosphorus levels, with a notable decrease in plant cover and microbial diversity under heavy grazing. CK and LG treatments supported higher microbial diversity, especially in surface layers, while heavy grazing was associated with a shift in community composition toward stress-tolerant taxa like Acidobacteriota and Blastocatella. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis revealed differences in microbial community structure between soil depths, with the effects of grazing diminishing with depth. These findings highlight the critical role of sustainable grazing practices in maintaining soil health and microbial diversity, with implications for the long-term resilience of desert steppe ecosystems.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/1/124grazing intensitysoil microorganismsdesert steppesoil physiochemical parametersmicrobial diversity
spellingShingle Yuxin Wang
Xin Ju
Qian Wu
Guodong Han
Effects of Grazing Intensity on Microbial Diversity at Different Soil Depths in Desert Steppe Soils
Agronomy
grazing intensity
soil microorganisms
desert steppe
soil physiochemical parameters
microbial diversity
title Effects of Grazing Intensity on Microbial Diversity at Different Soil Depths in Desert Steppe Soils
title_full Effects of Grazing Intensity on Microbial Diversity at Different Soil Depths in Desert Steppe Soils
title_fullStr Effects of Grazing Intensity on Microbial Diversity at Different Soil Depths in Desert Steppe Soils
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Grazing Intensity on Microbial Diversity at Different Soil Depths in Desert Steppe Soils
title_short Effects of Grazing Intensity on Microbial Diversity at Different Soil Depths in Desert Steppe Soils
title_sort effects of grazing intensity on microbial diversity at different soil depths in desert steppe soils
topic grazing intensity
soil microorganisms
desert steppe
soil physiochemical parameters
microbial diversity
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/1/124
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AT xinju effectsofgrazingintensityonmicrobialdiversityatdifferentsoildepthsindesertsteppesoils
AT qianwu effectsofgrazingintensityonmicrobialdiversityatdifferentsoildepthsindesertsteppesoils
AT guodonghan effectsofgrazingintensityonmicrobialdiversityatdifferentsoildepthsindesertsteppesoils