Effects of Seasonal Grazing on Soil Organic Carbon in Typical Steppe of Inner Mongolia

Abstract

In order to explore the rational management and utilization of grassland grazing, the field investigation was conducted to study the effect of seasonal grazing on soil organic carbon (SOC) in typical steppe of Inner Mongolia. The results showed that the soil organic carbon density (SOCD) was 1.59-3.86 kg/m2inthe depth of 0-15cm in four seasonal grassland and forbidden grazing area. There was no significant difference of soil organic carbon density between seasonal grassland. The SOCD was: autumn > spring> forbidding grazing> summer> winter. The SOCD decreased with the increase of soil depth, and SOCD had significant difference between different soil layers. It indicated that moderate grazing was benefit to sequestrate SOC in grassland ecosystem.