Effects of herbivore assemblage on the spatial heterogeneity of soil nitrogen in eastern Eurasian steppe

1. The spatial heterogeneity of soil limiting resources is one of the most important factors maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem functions. There is a general concern that herbivore grazing plays a central role in modifying soil resources heterogeneity.  However, most studies have examined how large herbivores as a group affect soil heterogeneity. There is limited knowledge about how assemblages of different herbivore species may influence soil heterogeneity, and whether the herbivore assemblage effects might vary with grassland types.

2. Here we conducted a four-year grazing experiment to examine the effects of different herbivore assemblages (no grazing; cattle grazing; sheep grazing and mixed grazing of cattle and sheep) on the spatial heterogeneity of soil N availability across three types of grasslands (meadow steppe, typical steppe, desert steppe) in eastern Eurasian steppe.

3. The results showed that all the herbivore grazing increased the heterogeneity of soil N availa...