Can Overgrazing Responses Be Disentangled by Above- and Below-Ground Traits?

Understanding functional traits that capture species response to overgrazing can help optimize ecosystem functioning. However, most studies have ignored the effects of life-form on above- and below-ground overgrazing. Here, we determined whether respond similarly overgrazing; does vary between annual vs. perennial life-forms. We compared common grassland fenced overgrazed meadows at four elevations (from 3000 3600 m), spanning an area ?200 square kilometers Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. found resulted in large removal all elevations, which forced alter their so they could shift from resource conservation acquisition avoid In contrast, promoted elevation, thus did not make any These findings bridge gap literature for influence life-forms species-specific both above-, levels during More important, these results facilitate selecting sustainable managements restoration