Single Grazing Is More Detrimental to Grasslands Than Mixed Grazing: Evidence From the Response of Functional Traits of Dominant Plants to Grazing Systems

Plant functional traits reflect species ecological strategies and determine how plants respond to environmental changes, however, dominant in the Inner Mongolia grassland adapt different grazing systems by changing their has not been systematically investigated. In this study, we established four 7-year treatments grassland: cattle grazing, sheep mixed no grazing. Fourteen of three ( Stipa grandis, Leymus chinensis , Cleistogenes squarrosa ) were measured under treatments. We found convergences plant that indicate herbivory avoidance or tolerance. Plants reduced vegetative height (VH) stem: leaf ratio (SLR) avoid grazing; increased ability acquire resources increasing specific area (SLA), nitrogen concentration (LNC), phosphorus (LPC); dry matter content (LDMC) tolerate Moreover, may intraspecific variability traits. Sheep-only adversely affected L. growth survival, while cattle-only hindered S. grandis its Our study emphasizes is an important indicator responses Since single more detrimental plants, suggest be a environmentally friendly sustainable practice for than