Overview of Chinese Grassland Ecosystems

Abstract

This chapter generally elaborates upon the fundamental characteristics of Chinese grassland ecosystems as a whole. Firstly, it introduces the major types and distribution patterns of Chinese grasslands in terms of vegetation, ecosystem, and land use. Secondly, it makes simple accounts of the biotic composition characteristics of Chinese grassland ecosystems, with emphasis on those pertaining to the steppe plants, mammals, rodents, insects, and microorganisms. In addition, it discusses the current regimes of soil and vegetation degradation of Chinese grasslands, and points out a trend of the delinking of the grasslands with livestock in the country that deserves special attention.