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Linking Predation Risk, Herbivore Physiological Stress and Microbial Decomposition of Plant Litter
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Large herbivore grazing accelerates litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems

Ao Jiang1, Tserang Donko Mipam2, Luhuai Jing1

  • 1Sichuan Zoige Alpine Wetland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Key Laboratory for Bio-resource and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.

The Science of the Total Environment
|February 29, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Large herbivore grazing significantly accelerates plant litter decomposition and carbon release globally. Moderate grazing enhances this effect, while heavy grazing can inhibit it, highlighting the importance of grazing intensity.

Keywords:
Grazing durationGrazing intensityHome-field advantageLitter decompositionLitter qualityNutrients releasemeta-analysis

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