Objective This study aims to elucidate the impact mechanisms of shrub encroachment on herbaceous plant communities and soil organic carbon (SOC) in alpine meadows under the unique hydrothermal conditions of the eastern Qilian Mountains, reveal the synergistic evolution mechanism between herbaceous communities and SOC under different shrub encroachment gradients, and provide data support for the construction of ecological barriers on the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Methods Areas with light, moderate, and severe shrub encroachment gradients in the region were selected, and replicate plots were set up to investigate the characteristics of herbaceous plant communities. Herbaceous biomass, SOC content, and soil organic carbon density (SOCD) were measured, and their internal relationships were analyzed through correlation analysis and structural equation modeling. Results (1) With increasing shrub encroachment degree, the Margalef richness index (Ma) and Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H) of herbaceous plant communities showed a trend of “first increase and then decrease”, with both peaks appearing at the moderate shrub encroachment stage (Ma = 4.54, H = 2.07), while the Pielou evenness index (J) continuously decreased. The composition of dominant species gradually shifted from graminoids to forbs, and the total biomass, aboveground biomass, and belowground biomass of herbaceous plants decreased linearly. (2) SOC content and SOCD increased significantly with increasing shrub encroachment degree (p < 0.05). The vertical differentiation of SOC content weakened, showing an obvious homogenization trend between the surface (0—10 cm) and deep (20—30 cm) soil carbon pools. (3) Correlation analysis and structural equation modeling indicated a significant feedback relationship between herbaceous plant communities and SOC: shrub encroachment could directly and positively affect SOC, and could also indirectly influence the accumulation and distribution of SOC by altering herbaceous community structure and soil physical properties. Conclusion Shrub encroachment in alpine meadows of the eastern Qilian Mountains significantly reshapes herbaceous plant communities and soil organic carbon. It not only exerts a direct positive effect on SOC accumulation, but also indirectly drives SOC accumulation and redistribution by reducing herbaceous biomass, altering species composition, and modifying soil bulk density and moisture content.
LongJ X, ChenL, PangD B, et al. Effects of shrub encroachment on grassland vegetation communities in desert grasslands of eastern Ningxia[J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2025,45(11):5568-5581.
[7]
RatajczakZ, D′OdoricoP, NippertJ B, et al. Changes in spatial variance during a grassland to shrubland state transition[J]. Journal of Ecology, 2017,105(3):750-760.
HouH Y, ZhouJ W, LiuH J, et al. Advances in the study of shrub-herbs interaction of shrub encroachment in grassland[J]. Chinese Journal of Grassland, 2024,46(5):132-141.
YaoZ Y, XinY, MuW K, et al. Community characteristics of Leymus chinensis steppe in Nei Mongol, China[J]. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 2024,48(10):1385-1392.
[16]
EldridgeD J, BowkerM A, MaestreF T, et al. Impacts of shrub encroachment on ecosystem structure and functioning: Towards a global synthesis[J]. Ecology Letters, 2011,14(7):709-722.
ZhangM D, XiangG H, WenY Y, et al. Response of carbon exchange between shrub and grass patches to increased seasonal precipitation: A comparative analysis based on aboveground net primary productivity and leaf area index standardization[J]. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 2024,48(8):1035-1049.
LiX, ChenD Y, LiL A, et al. Response of soil organic carbon active components to shrub encroachment in Alpine meadows[J]. Bulletin of Soil and Water Conservation, 2024,44(3):317-325,334.
BaoD H, SunX M, ZhangZ M, et al. Effects of shrub encroachment of Alpine meadows on vegetation community structure and soil physicochemical properties[J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2024,44(14):6208-6218.
HeZ Y. Spatial-temporal analysis of land cover changes in Qilian mountain National Park based on google earth engine[D]. Lanzhou: Lanzhou University, 2022.
DromaTenzing, MaW M, MaX L, et al. Effects of shrub encroachment on soil carbon pool and soil microbial community structure in Alpine grassland[J]. Acta Pedologica Sinica, 2025,62(1):261-272.
YinX, LiD M, LiY, et al. Effects of shrub encroachment on soil hydraulic properties in Alpine meadow[J]. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 2022,36(5):121-129.
YangX X, ZhaoJ M, ZhangX, et al. Litter and soil water conservation function of typical shrubs in eastern Qilian Mountains[J]. Arid Land Geography, 2022,45(1):197-207.
LiZ H, LiZ F, ZhangL, et al. Effects of shrub encroachment process on vegetation and soil of desert steppe[J]. Journal of West China Forestry Science, 2022,51(1):36-41.
[35]
FontaineS, BarotS, BarréP, et al. Stability of organic carbon in deep soil layers controlled by fresh carbon supply[J]. Nature, 2007,450(7167):277-280.
ZhangY, HuJ, ZhouQ P, et al. Effects of shrub removal management measures on soil water conservation function in Alpine shrub-encroached grassland[J]. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 2025,33(6):1912-1923.
ChenX N, ZhaoN Q, GaoJ L, et al. Research progress of shrub encroachment in grasslands on soil hydrologic process[J]. Chinese Wild Plant Resources, 2024,43(S1):90-95.
ZhaoX Y, ChenY S, LiZ G, et al. Soil organic carbon mineralization and its response to precipitation gradients during anthropogenic shrub encroachment in desert steppe[J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2024,44(15):6630-6641.
ZhangJ T, ZhangY R, LiuY L, et al. Effects of different restoration measures on plant communities in desert steppe of Wulat Middle Banner, Inner Mongolia[J]. Chinese Journal of Ecology, 2023,42(4):828-837.
ZhangZ J, YuL, WangH M. Characteristics of soil moisture threshold for the seedling establishment of two dominant plants in desert grassland-shrubland transition[J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2022,42(19):8061-8072.
DingY, LiuX W, GuoL, et al. Effects of shrub encroachment on soil organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients, and enzyme activity in Loess Plateau[J]. Bulletin of Soil and Water Conservation, 2024,44(5):243-250,261.
GaoH Y, YanD R, HuX L, et al. Effects of shrub encroachment in typical steppe on herbaceous plant community composition[J]. Journal of Inner Mongolia Forestry Science and Technology, 2022,48(4):12-16.
ZhangQ. Characteristics of vegetation community and soil organic carbon changes in the process of shrub encroachment in Yunwu mountain grasslands, and strategies for shrub encroachment prevention and control[D]. Yangling, Shaanxi: Northwest A & F University, 2023.