Shrub encroachment impaired the structure and functioning of alpine meadow communities on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Shrub encroachment has been rapidly occurring due to climate change, with profound ecological consequences for the alpine meadows of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Here, we conducted field surveys along a shrub coverage gradient to examine the effects of shrub encroachment on the structure and functioning of alpine meadows' plant communities. Our results showed that the overall coverage, density, aboveground biomass, species richness, and diversity of meadow community gradually declined with increasing levels of shrub encroachment, especially when shrub coverage exceeded 60%. Aboveground ecosystem multifunctionality also decreased along the shrub coverage gradient. With 90% shrub coverage, the relative importance value of the forbs functional group significantly increased while the Cyperaceae functional group showed the opposite trend: the originally dominant sedges Carex moorcroftii and Kobresia myosuroides were replaced by the forbs Androsace umbellate and Polygonum sparsipilosum. Additionally, shrub encroachment had a strong effect on nonrandom herb species extinction and colonization. At shrub coverages higher than 60%, there were 9 herb species absent and 18 new species colonizing-7 of which were only observed in meadows with 90% shrub coverage. Rare species and those with lower stature were more likely to go extinct, while taller and shade-tolerant species tended to colonize areas with increasing shrub coverage. Overall, our results indicate that shrub encroachment negatively affects herbaceous community structure and functioning, which has important implications for the management of alpine meadows of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau under ongoing climate change.

Automated summary

This study examined the effects of shrub encroachment on the structure and functioning of alpine meadows' plant communities. The results showed that increasing levels of shrub encroachment led to a decline in overall coverage, density, biomass, species richness, and diversity of meadow community. Shrub encroachment also had a strong effect on nonrandom herb species extinction and colonization.