Effects of precipitation variation and trampling disturbance on seedling emergence of annual plants in a semi-arid grassland

Precipitation change and grazing are the main factors influencing vegetation structure dynamics in semi-arid grassland. However, effects of precipitation variation livestock trampling on seedling emergence patterns plants remain largely unknown. In this study, an experiment with four gradients (no-trampling, light, moderate, heavy) three treatments (ambient precipitation, +30% −30% precipitation) was conducted to assess disturbance annual plants. The results showed that increase significantly improved total by 3.5–3.6 times density grasses more than 4.1 under conditions, while improving forbs no-trampling conditions. Moreover, proportion heavy trampling, decreasing forbs. Seedling sensitive disturbance, changes, especially Light moderate a promoted grasses, no Thus, targeted management measures should be implemented for plant communities dominated either or changing