Satellite Symposium 3: Pastoral Systems

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Stocking rate is an important factor in grazing management. The stocking rate defines utilization and ultimately grazing pressure, which in turn affects grassland sustainability. Grassland sustainability is partly defined by its species composition and ultimately by its productivity. These attributes are unique for specific plant communities and the effect of stocking rate must be established for each in order to understand the community response to grazing and to determine its carrying capacity. While some information exists on the effects of stocking rate on livestock production in the Stipa breviflora Griseb. Desert Steppe (Wei et al., 2000), the effects on the plant community are not understood well. This study aimed to determine the effects of stocking rate on the species composition and productivity of that community.

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Effect of Stocking Rate on a Stipa Breviflora Desert Steppe Community of Inner Mongolia

Stocking rate is an important factor in grazing management. The stocking rate defines utilization and ultimately grazing pressure, which in turn affects grassland sustainability. Grassland sustainability is partly defined by its species composition and ultimately by its productivity. These attributes are unique for specific plant communities and the effect of stocking rate must be established for each in order to understand the community response to grazing and to determine its carrying capacity. While some information exists on the effects of stocking rate on livestock production in the Stipa breviflora Griseb. Desert Steppe (Wei et al., 2000), the effects on the plant community are not understood well. This study aimed to determine the effects of stocking rate on the species composition and productivity of that community.