Date for Pennisetum flaccidum Patch Formation Promotes Soil Fine Particle Enrichment and “Fertile Island” Development in Alpine Meadow of Damxung, Tibetan

Data Description
Research Hypothesis
This study tested the hypothesis that Pennisetum flaccidum patch formation enhances soil fine particle enrichment and creates "fertile islands" by increasing aboveground biomass and vegetation coverage in the Damxung alpine meadow, Tibet.
Data Overview
The dataset was generated through field sampling and laboratory analysis in October 2024. It includes:
Vegetation Data: Species composition, aboveground biomass (AGB), vegetation coverage (C), and P. flaccidum height across different patch sizes (Small/SP, Medium/MP, Large/LP) and unpatched controls (OP).
Soil Data:
Particle-size distribution (clay, silt, sand fractions)
Physical properties: bulk density (BD), soil water content (SWC)
Chemical properties: pH, electrical conductivity (EC)
Nutrients: total carbon (TC), nitrogen (TN), phosphorus (TP), soil organic carbon (SOC), available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP)
Structural index: soil monofractal dimension (D)
Sampling Design: Five replicates per patch size and control. Soil samples collected from 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-30 cm depths using five-point sampling.
Key Findings
Vegetation: AGB and coverage were significantly higher inside patches (up to 693 g·m⁻² and 96%) versus outside (112 g·m⁻² and 71%).
Soil Texture: Patches had significantly higher clay/silt content and lower sand content. Soil monofractal dimension was significantly higher inside patches.
Fertile Islands: Patches accumulated more SOC, TN, AN, and AP, with reduced bulk density.
Drivers: AGB, coverage, AN, and SWC were identified as primary factors improving soil structure.
Data Interpretation & Usage
The data supports that P. flaccidum patches initiate a plant-soil feedback loop: increased biomass reduces erosion and enriches fine particles, improving soil texture and nutrients. This dataset is valuable for research on grassland ecology, soil erosion control, and alpine ecosystem restoration. It can be used for meta-analyses, model validation, and informing sustainable grassland management strategies.