Distribution characteristics of selenium nutrition on the natural habitat of przewalski’s gazelle

Abstract

Selenium is an essential mineral nutrient for animal growth. Previous studies have shown a serious imbalance in selenium distribution in the habitat of Przewalski’s gazelle (Procapra przewalskii). In order to provide new ideas for wildlife conservation, we studied the distribution characteristics of selenium nutrition in the natural habitat of Przewalski’s gazelle in the Qinghai Lake watershed. The results showed that the average selenium content of mixed pasture in the Hudong area was the lowest, and was seriously selenium deficient; the upper reaches of the Buha River showed subclinical selenium deficiency; and the average selenium content of mixed pasture in Bird Island Reserve was the highest. Among soil layers, contents of total and water-soluble selenium were highest in surface soil, and selenium content decreased gradually with soil depth. Among soil types, the total selenium content was highest in boggy soil and lowest in gray cinnamon soil; the water-soluble selenium content was highest in boggy soil and lowest in alpine scrub meadow soil. Among grassland types, selenium content was highest in mixed forage of Achnatherum splendens grassland and lowest in mixed forage of Artemisia frigida grassland. The selenium content in mixed forage showed obvious seasonality, being highest at the seedling stage and lowest at the growing stage. Among forage species, Clematis tangutica, Artemisia desertorum and Achnatherum splendens were the main high-selenium plants, with the selenium content the highest for Achnatherum splendens. Poa pratensis, Elymus nutans and Thermopsis lanceolata were the main selenium-deficient plants, and selenium content was lowest in Thermopsis lanceolata.