Data from: Dynamic rhizosphere C:N:P stoichiometry of plants, soils, and microbial biomass under different grazing patterns
Data files
Apr 09, 2026 version files 1.57 MB
Abstract
Analysing grassland ecological stoichiometry is crucial for evaluating ecosystem quality and health via energy flow and elemental equilibrium. Grazing is a dominant human activity shaping alpine grasslands on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), yet few studies have used rhizosphere stoichiometry to assess plant–soil–microbe interaction dynamics under different grazing regimes. We compared rhizosphere stoichiometric changes of the degradation indicator Medicago ruthenica and dominant Kobresia humilis under yak grazing (YG), sheep grazing (SG), and mixed grazing (MG) with yak-to-sheep ratios of MG(1:2), MG(1:4), and MG(1:6). MG(1:2) increased total N and reduced total P in M. ruthenica, significantly elevating its N:P ratio; MG(1:4) increased total N and P in K. humilis, lowering its C:N and C:P ratios. Rhizosphere soil of K. humilis showed significantly increased total C and P under MG. For K. humilis, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN) initially decreased, then increased under MG, while microbial biomass phosphorus (MBP) significantly increased across all grazing patterns, with stable plant and microbial biomass N:P ratios. Regulatory pathways differed by species: M. ruthenica affected MBC, MBN, and MBP via plant C and N under single grazing, and MBP via soil properties under MG; K. humilis influenced these microbial indices via soil properties and plant C:N:P under single grazing, and soil properties under MG. Our findings reveal trait-dependent stoichiometric responses of key plant species to grazing, advance understanding of rhizosphere plant–soil–microbe interactions in alpine grasslands, and provide a scientific basis for sustainable grazing management on the QTP.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.dr7sqvbcr
Description of the data and file structure
The investigation was conducted in Haiyan County, Qinghai Province, China (36°44′–37°39′ N, 100°23′–101°20′ E). Plant and rhizosphere soil samples were collected from each plot from 18 to 20 August each year for three consecutive years. Rhizosphere soil samples were collected randomly through a five-point sampling method. The collected M. ruthenica and K. humilis samples were transported to the laboratory and dried at 70°C for the stoichiometry treatment. After removing soil adhering to roots at depths of 2-5 cm, fresh soil adhered to roots at a depth of 20 cm was shaken off and then transported to the laboratory using refrigerator (4°C) to test its biochemical and stoichiometry properties.
Files and variables
File: 1._Soil_properties_of_rhizosphere_soil_under_different_grazing_patterns.xlsx
Description: Soil properties of rhizosphere soil in 2021, 2022, and 2023 years under different grazing patterns; SM, soil water content; SBD, soil bulk density; SOC, soil organic carbon; CK, no grazing; YG, single yak grazing; SG, single sheep grazing; MG(1:2), yak to sheep as 1:2; MG(1:4), yak to sheep as 1:4; MG(1:6), yak to sheep as 1:6. Each indicator has 9 biological replicates.
Variables
- Each indicator has 9 biological replicates.
File: 2._C__N__and_P_contents_of_M._ruthenica_and_K._humilis.xlsx
Description: C, N, and P contents of M. ruthenica and K. humilis in 2021, 2022, and 2023 years under different grazing patterns; C, total carbon; N, total nitrogen; P, total phosphorus; CK, no grazing; YG, single yak grazing; SG, single sheep grazing; MG (1:2), yak to sheep as 1:2; MG (1:4), yak to sheep as 1:4; MG (1:6), yak to sheep as 1:6. Each indicator has 9 biological replicates.
Variables
- Each indicator has 9 biological replicates.
File: 3._MBC__MBN__and_MBP_contents_of_rhizosphere_soil_of_M._ruthenica_and_K._humilis.xlsx
Description: MBC, MBN, and MBP contents of rhizosphere soil of M. ruthenica and K. humilis in 2021, 2022, and 2023 years under different grazing patterns; MBC, microbial biomass carbon; MBN, microbial biomass nitrogen; MBP, microbial biomass phosphorus; CK, no grazing; YG, single yak grazing; SG, single sheep grazing; MG (1:2), yak to sheep as 1:2; MG (1:4), yak to sheep as 1:4; MG (1:6), yak to sheep as 1:6. Each indicator has 9 biological replicates.
Variables
- Each indicator has 9 biological replicates.
Code/software
No custom code or scripts are included with this submission. All data are provided as Microsoft Excel spreadsheet files (.xlsx).
The data can be viewed, opened, and edited using any common spreadsheet software that supports Excel format, including:
- Microsoft Excel 2016 or later
- LibreOffice Calc 7.0 or later (open-source, free)
- WPS Office Spreadsheets (free version available)
- Google Sheets (free web-based application)
No specialized software, programming languages, or additional packages are required to access or interpret the data. The workflow is straightforward: open the Excel files directly using the above spreadsheet software to view, sort, filter, and analyze the tabular data.
Access information
Other publicly accessible locations of the data:
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Data was derived from the following sources:
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