Skip to main content
Dryad

A dataset of plant and microbial community structure after long-term grazing and mowing in a semiarid steppe

Cite this dataset

Li, Wenhuai et al. (2021). A dataset of plant and microbial community structure after long-term grazing and mowing in a semiarid steppe [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.w0vt4b8n8

Abstract

Grazing and mowing are two dominant management regimes used in grasslands. Although many studies have focused on the effects of grazing intensity on plant community structure, far fewer test how grazing impacts the soil microbial community. Furthermore, the effects of long-term grazing and mowing on plant and microbial community structure are poorly understood. To elucidate how these management regimes affect plant and microbial communities, we collected data from 280 quadrats in a semiarid steppe after 12-year of grazing and mowing treatments. We measured plant species abundance, height, coverage, plant species diversity, microbial biomass, and microbial community composition (G+ and G− bacteria; arbuscular mycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi; G+/G− and Fungi/Bacteria). In addition, we determined the soil’s physical and chemical properties, including soil hardness, moisture, pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. This is a long-term and multifactorial dataset with plant, soil, and microbial attributes which can be used to answer questions regarding the mechanisms of sustainable grassland management in terms of plant and microbial community structure.

 

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China, Award: 31600365

Inner Mongolia University, Award: 12000-15031907

China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, Award: 2016M591283

State Key Research and Development Program of China, Award: 2016YFC0500801

National Natural Science Foundation of China, Award: 41671046

State Key Research and Development Program of China, Award: 2016YFC0500801