Short-term study on the yak dung seed bank on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau: effects of grazing season, seed characteristics and forage preferences

Abstract Aims Viable seeds in herbivore dung constitute the seed bank, and contribution of livestock to this bank grazing pastures is often overlooked. Grazing season (warm cold), characteristics (size shape), forage preference are main factors that affect size composition ultimately grassland ecology. However, how these three interact unclear. Methods We collected yak as well common plant species from warm- cold-season alpine meadows northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, explored shape) foraging preferences (temporary cages method) affects seedling density, richness diversity an pasture. Results Forty-three (mainly perennials) germinated dung. Dung richness, did not differ significantly between two seasons. Small medium-sized spherical (seed < 10 mg, shape index 0.5) had greatest germination potential. Conclusions Yaks vary their depending on (phenological period), endozoochory occurs throughout both Seed directly regulate diversity. seedlings increase heterogeneity aboveground vegetation near microsites pieces therefore promote patching. Our study demonstrates season, characteristics, ecosystems.