Conference proceeding
Effects of vegetation and grazing on soil temperature, soil moisture, and the active layer in the Hovsgol Mountain forest steppe zone, Mongolia
International Conference on Permafrost (ICOP) Proceedings, Vol.9, pp.1627-1632
2008
Abstract
In this paper we present initial results from observations of the effects of a series of natural vegetation covers and several experimental plots manipulated to mimic local grazing practices on soil temperatures, moisture content, and active-layer thickness in the Dalbay ILTER (International Long Term Ecological Research) study site in the Hovsgol Mountain forest steppe zone, northern Mongolia. We set up experimental plots with three types of treatments-control plot and plots that mimicked light and heavy grazing by clipping vegetation cover. The results show that both live and dead plants (especially moss, shrubs, forest, and dense grass) produce considerable insulation effects, maintaining low permafrost temperatures and protecting soil moisture from high evaporation. Therefore, both natural vegetation cover characteristics and grazing practices are important factors in preventing permafrost degradation in arid mountain environments.
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Details
- Title
- Effects of vegetation and grazing on soil temperature, soil moisture, and the active layer in the Hovsgol Mountain forest steppe zone, Mongolia
- Creators
- Anarmaa Sharkhuu - University of North DakotaNatsagdorj SharkhuuBernd EtzelmullerEva S. Flo HeggemClyde E. Goulden
- Contributors
- Douglas L. Kane (Editor)Kenneth M. Hinkel (Editor)
- Publication Details
- International Conference on Permafrost (ICOP) Proceedings, Vol.9, pp.1627-1632
- Conference
- International Conference on Permafrost (ICOP), 9th
- Publisher
- publisher varies
- Number of pages
- 1
- Resource Type
- Conference proceeding
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
- Identifiers
- 991019350577704721