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Fujiang Hou
State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China

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Feed

Journal article
Published: 24 July 2021 in Applied Soil Ecology
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Taste is a crucial sense of livestock for their selective feeding. As feed additives, taste agents such as salty and sweet agents are often added to livestock supplementary feed to increase feed intake, and bitter agents are commonly used as repellents to protect vegetation from browsing animals. Selective feeding of grazing livestock affects community structure and ecosystem function in natural grasslands. Regulating livestock feed intake by applying taste agents to pasture is a novel grazing management tool. However, the effects of these taste agents on the soil microbial community following selective feeding have so far not been fully evaluated. In this study, three different taste agents, Denatonium benzoate (bitter agent), NaCl (salty agent), and Sodium cyclamate (sweet agent), were sprayed onto alpine meadow pasture on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Resulting evidence indicates that spray-application of taste agents to alpine pasture over three consecutive growing seasons, indirectly modifies soil bacterial diversity by stimulating appetite, and encouraging more selective feeding of pasture species. Compared with control, treatment with the salty agent increased both yak dry matter intake, and soil bulk density, but decreased plant diversity. Yet, increased forage uptake was accompanied by alterations to soil nutrient availability and bacterial community structure, including lower soil available nitrogen and bacterial α-diversity. Soil bulk density, NO3−-N, soil moisture, aboveground biomass, and quantity of yak dung, were the main forces driving changes to soil bacterial diversity. Moreover, the structural equation model showed that applying taste agents to pasture affects soil bacterial diversity directly, and indirectly. This study further highlights that pastoral application of taste agents has impacts on the soil bacterial community, supporting the necessity to include bacterial components in evaluation of the consequences of using taste agents as a grazing management tool.

ACS Style

Yang You; Jingfei Ren; Jing Wu; Zhouwen Ma; Yongchao Gu; Yingxin Wang; Zhaofeng Wang; Saman Bowatte; Qingping Zhou; Fujiang Hou. Forage taste agents modifying yak grazing decrease soil microbial diversity in alpine meadow. Applied Soil Ecology 2021, 168, 104160 .

AMA Style

Yang You, Jingfei Ren, Jing Wu, Zhouwen Ma, Yongchao Gu, Yingxin Wang, Zhaofeng Wang, Saman Bowatte, Qingping Zhou, Fujiang Hou. Forage taste agents modifying yak grazing decrease soil microbial diversity in alpine meadow. Applied Soil Ecology. 2021; 168 ():104160.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Yang You; Jingfei Ren; Jing Wu; Zhouwen Ma; Yongchao Gu; Yingxin Wang; Zhaofeng Wang; Saman Bowatte; Qingping Zhou; Fujiang Hou. 2021. "Forage taste agents modifying yak grazing decrease soil microbial diversity in alpine meadow." Applied Soil Ecology 168, no. : 104160.

Journal article
Published: 09 July 2021 in Rangeland Ecology & Management
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The Qilian Mountain Grassland is an important animal husbandry production base in northwestern China. Horses, cattle, and sheep are the main livestock, which are widely distributed in the desert grasslands and alpine meadows around the Qilian Mountains. Grazing livestock produce large amounts of feces, and the germinable seeds in feces constitute the seed banks. Research on the size, plant species composition, and distribution of livestock dung seed banks in the Qilian Mountain grasslands may help understand the interactions between grass species and livestock and inform the comprehensive management practices for grazing livestock. In mid-October 2018, we collected the dung of horses, cattle, and sheep in the alpine meadows and desert grasslands of the Qilian Mountains and estimated the composition and size of the dung seed bank by the greenhouse germination method. Seeds of aboveground vegetation in the same location were also collected to determine the relationships between the size and composition of dung seed banks and the seed traits (i.e., mass and shape). A total of 30 plant species germinated from the dung seed banks of the three livestock species, of which 22 species (73%) were perennial. The seedling densities for horse, cattle, and sheep dung were 11.91, 10.80, and 7.60 seedlings per gram dung, respectively. The species richness, species diversity, and Jaccard coefficients of similarity between dung seedling and aboveground vegetation of horse dung were significantly greater than that of cattle and sheep dung. Regression analyses indicated that medium-sized (10−30 mg) and spherical (0.04−0.10 shape index) seeds had the greatest germination potential. Our study suggests that, of the three livestock species tested, the horse dung seed bank contributes most to grassland recovery and restoration of the Qilian Mountains.

ACS Style

Shu-Lin Wang; F.J. Hou. Seed Bank of Livestock Dung in the Qilian Mountain Grassland: A Potential Resource for Vegetation Recovery. Rangeland Ecology & Management 2021, 78, 90 -99.

AMA Style

Shu-Lin Wang, F.J. Hou. Seed Bank of Livestock Dung in the Qilian Mountain Grassland: A Potential Resource for Vegetation Recovery. Rangeland Ecology & Management. 2021; 78 ():90-99.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Shu-Lin Wang; F.J. Hou. 2021. "Seed Bank of Livestock Dung in the Qilian Mountain Grassland: A Potential Resource for Vegetation Recovery." Rangeland Ecology & Management 78, no. : 90-99.

Short communication
Published: 09 July 2021 in Agricultural Systems
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A large number of field trials assessing supplementary feeding have been conducted on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau but its influence on nitrogen (N) cycling particularly N addition to soil through litter or dung deposition and the effect on soil N levels remain poorly understood. Here we investigated the effects of oat hay supplementation on forage biomass, N return from litter and dung to soil and soil N levels by comparing supplemented and non-supplemented systems. The non-supplemented system of yak was based on typical native grazing practices and was established in 2010. Grazing in supplementary feeding system was identical but each yak received oat hay (0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 kg/day, dry matter basis) during the cold season. For each system, forage biomass, N return from litter and dung to soil, and soil N levels were measured from 2010 to 2014. The results showed that supplementation systems increased 12.8% of forage biomass and enhanced N return from litter and dung to soil by 8.0% and 6.2%, respectively, compared with native grazing systems, but did not change soil N stock. Forage biomass (slope, 0.596 to 1.769) and return of N from litter to the soil (slope, 0.359 to 0.677) increased significantly as the trial progressed in supplementation systems. Increased forage biomass resulted in increased N uptake offsetting the supplement-induced soil N input resulting in minimal change in soil N. The conceptual framework firstly quantized the effect size of supplementary regime on N cycling of grazing systems and soil N levels in alpine meadows. It can be used for an essential model and extended to other agroecosystem that show the influence of external disturbances on nutrient cycling.

ACS Style

Chuntao Yang; James Peter Millner; Yi Sun; Hang Yuan; Yang Liu; Yan Zhang; Zhaofeng Wang; Shenghua Chang; Fujiang Hou. Supplementary feeding yak with oat hay improves nitrogen cycling in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. Agricultural Systems 2021, 193, 103216 .

AMA Style

Chuntao Yang, James Peter Millner, Yi Sun, Hang Yuan, Yang Liu, Yan Zhang, Zhaofeng Wang, Shenghua Chang, Fujiang Hou. Supplementary feeding yak with oat hay improves nitrogen cycling in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. Agricultural Systems. 2021; 193 ():103216.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chuntao Yang; James Peter Millner; Yi Sun; Hang Yuan; Yang Liu; Yan Zhang; Zhaofeng Wang; Shenghua Chang; Fujiang Hou. 2021. "Supplementary feeding yak with oat hay improves nitrogen cycling in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China." Agricultural Systems 193, no. : 103216.

Original research
Published: 15 June 2021 in Ecology and Evolution
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Burrows provide burrowing animals with a place to hibernate, reproduce, and avoid predators and harsh weather conditions and thus have a vital impact on their survival. However, the general physical characteristics and ecological functions of Marmota himalayana burrows as well as whether there are differences in burrow traits under different terrains (e.g., sunny slopes, shady slopes, and flat areas) are not well understood. From July to August 2019 (warm season), we used unmanned aerial vehicles to fly at low altitudes and slow speeds to locate 131 M. himalayana burrows (45 on shaded slopes, 51 on sunny slopes, and 35 on flat areas) in the northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau region. We then measured the physical characteristics (burrow density, entrance size, first tunnel length, volume, orientation, and plant characteristics near the burrow entrance) of these burrows on site. We found that terrain had a substantial influence on burrow density, orientation, and entrance size and on the angle of the burrow entrance; species richness had a substantial impact on path density and tunnel volume. The physical parameters of the M. himalayana burrows showed that they function to protect the marmots from natural enemies and bad weather, provide good drainage, and maintain a stable microclimate around the entrance. We discuss the ability of burrowing animals (e.g., M. himalayana) to adapt to the external environment based on their burrow characteristics.

ACS Style

Shu‐Lin Wang; Fu‐Jiang Hou. Burrow characteristics and ecological significance of Marmota himalayana in the northeastern Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau. Ecology and Evolution 2021, 11, 9100 -9109.

AMA Style

Shu‐Lin Wang, Fu‐Jiang Hou. Burrow characteristics and ecological significance of Marmota himalayana in the northeastern Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau. Ecology and Evolution. 2021; 11 (13):9100-9109.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Shu‐Lin Wang; Fu‐Jiang Hou. 2021. "Burrow characteristics and ecological significance of Marmota himalayana in the northeastern Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau." Ecology and Evolution 11, no. 13: 9100-9109.

Regular article
Published: 03 June 2021 in Plant and Soil
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Aims Viable seeds in herbivore dung constitute the dung seed bank, and the contribution of livestock dung to this seed bank in grazing pastures is often overlooked. Grazing season (warm and cold), seed characteristics (size and shape), and forage preference are the main factors that affect the size and composition of the dung seed bank and ultimately affect grassland ecology. However, how these three factors interact is unclear. Methods We collected yak dung as well as seeds of the common plant species from warm- and cold-season alpine meadows in northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, and explored how grazing season (warm and cold), seed characteristics (size and shape) and foraging preferences (temporary cages method) affects yak dung seedling density, richness and diversity in an alpine pasture. Results Forty-three plant species (mainly perennials) germinated from yak dung. Dung seedling density, richness, and diversity did not differ significantly between the two grazing seasons. Small to medium-sized spherical seeds (seed size < 10 mg, shape index < 0.5) had the greatest germination potential. Conclusions Yaks vary their forage preference depending on the season (phenological period), and endozoochory occurs throughout both grazing seasons. Seed shape and size directly regulate the dung seedling density, richness, and diversity. Dung seedlings increase the heterogeneity of the aboveground vegetation near the microsites of the dung pieces and therefore promote grassland patching. Our study demonstrates that grazing season, seed characteristics, and yak forage preferences affect the dung seed bank in grazing ecosystems.

ACS Style

Shulin Wang; Fujiang Hou. Short-term study on the yak dung seed bank on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau: effects of grazing season, seed characteristics and forage preferences. Plant and Soil 2021, 1 -17.

AMA Style

Shulin Wang, Fujiang Hou. Short-term study on the yak dung seed bank on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau: effects of grazing season, seed characteristics and forage preferences. Plant and Soil. 2021; ():1-17.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Shulin Wang; Fujiang Hou. 2021. "Short-term study on the yak dung seed bank on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau: effects of grazing season, seed characteristics and forage preferences." Plant and Soil , no. : 1-17.

Journal article
Published: 23 May 2021 in Animal
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An accurate value for metabolizable energy (ME) requirement for maintenance (MEm) is essential to enable sheep husbandry practice to reach its potential. The objectives of the study were to use calorimetry chamber data of dry ewes (Hu × thin-tail Han F1 crossbred) to develop updated MEm, examine effects of substituting concentrate feed with lucerne hay on energy partitioning, and explore the relationships between energy utilization and fasting heat production (FHP). Data were collected from three experiments. In Exps. 1, 2a and 2b, lucerne hay was used to replace concentrates in three levels (0:40%, 15:25% and 30:10%), with diets containing 60% maize stover (Exp. 1), fresh rye forage (Exp. 2a) or dry rye forage (Exp. 2b). Within each experiment, diets were isoenergetic (digestible energy, DE) and isonitrogenous. Exp. 3 aimed at evaluating effects of three BW levels on nutrient utilization of dry ewes offered diets containing 60% maize stover, 15% lucerne hay and 25% concentrates. Energy metabolism data were measured using the respiration calorimeter chamber technique in all three experiments, followed by the measurement of FHP in Exps. 1, 2b and 3. The MEm derived from the linear regression between energy balance (EB) and ME intake was 0.440 MJ/kg BW0.75. The average FHP was 0.326 MJ/kg BW0.75. The fasting metabolism, net energy requirement for maintenance (NEm) and MEm were estimated to be 0.336, 0.359 and 0.511 MJ/kg BW0.75, respectively, through adjustment of FHP using fasting urinary energy output, activity allowance and efficiency of ME use for maintenance. The FHP was negatively correlated to EB/metabolic BW, ME/gross energy (GE), ME/DE, EB/GE intake and EB/ME intake, while positively correlated to HP/GE intake, HP/ME intake and CH4-E/GE intake. Compared to zero lucerne hay diet, the 15% lucerne hay intake decreased HP (MJ/d), and had no negative effects on EB (MJ/d) or energy utilization efficiencies. The results indicate that nutrient requirement standards currently used across the world are likely to underestimate MEm for dry ewes, and the selection of low FHP ewes for breeding has the potential to improve sheep production efficiency.

ACS Style

C.M. Wang; T. Yan; K.L. Xie; S.H. Chang; C. Zhang; F.J. Hou. Determination of maintenance energy requirement and responses of dry ewes to dietary inclusion of lucerne versus concentrate meal. Animal 2021, 15, 100200 .

AMA Style

C.M. Wang, T. Yan, K.L. Xie, S.H. Chang, C. Zhang, F.J. Hou. Determination of maintenance energy requirement and responses of dry ewes to dietary inclusion of lucerne versus concentrate meal. Animal. 2021; 15 (5):100200.

Chicago/Turabian Style

C.M. Wang; T. Yan; K.L. Xie; S.H. Chang; C. Zhang; F.J. Hou. 2021. "Determination of maintenance energy requirement and responses of dry ewes to dietary inclusion of lucerne versus concentrate meal." Animal 15, no. 5: 100200.

Journal article
Published: 19 March 2021 in Rangeland Ecology & Management
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Herbivores regulate nutrient cycling of terrestrial ecosystems through trampling topsoil and vegetation, selective foraging, and excretion of feces and urine. However, the role of trampling in the soil-plant interaction is still unclear, partly due to the lack of empirical studies examining soil and plant stoichiometric responses to trampling. We conducted a 2-consecutive-yr field trial to explore the effects of simulated sheep trampling intensity on soil and plant carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus (C:N:P) stoichiometry in a typical steppe of the Loess Plateau, China. Results show that with the increase in trampling intensity, the soil bulk density at 0–10 cm decreased in 2016 while it increased in 2017. Although trampling increased soil total N and P concentration, the soil C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios remained stable. The aboveground biomass of three dominant species increased with trampling intensity in 2016 but decreased in 2017. Trampling increased plant N and P concentrations but decreased plant C concentration, and C:N and C:P ratios. Trampling affected plant N:P ratios depending on species, but usually exacerbated P limitation. Thus, the differential responses of soil and plant C:N:P stoichiometry to trampling intensity indicated that the effects of trampling on the plants did not convey equivalent impacts on the soil. Our study provides evidence that it is necessary to isolate the effects of livestock trampling from grazing on grasslands and highlights that at the stocking rate of 2.7 Tan sheep ha−1 (equivalent to ∼40 footsteps m−2), trampling does not negatively affect soil-plant interactions or stoichiometry, and hence such stocking rate may be compatible with rangeland restoration objectives.

ACS Style

Lan Li; Jing Zhang; Xiong Z. He; Fujiang Hou. Sheep Trampling Modifies Soil and Plant C:N:P Stoichiometry in a Typical Steppe of the Loess Plateau. Rangeland Ecology & Management 2021, 76, 100 -108.

AMA Style

Lan Li, Jing Zhang, Xiong Z. He, Fujiang Hou. Sheep Trampling Modifies Soil and Plant C:N:P Stoichiometry in a Typical Steppe of the Loess Plateau. Rangeland Ecology & Management. 2021; 76 ():100-108.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lan Li; Jing Zhang; Xiong Z. He; Fujiang Hou. 2021. "Sheep Trampling Modifies Soil and Plant C:N:P Stoichiometry in a Typical Steppe of the Loess Plateau." Rangeland Ecology & Management 76, no. : 100-108.

Journal article
Published: 11 March 2021 in Agriculture
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To explore the effects of multi-cutting and sheep excrement on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from grassland ecosystems which simulate grazing livestock to a certain extent, spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L., var. Yongliang 15) and common vetch (Vicia sativa L., var. Lanjian 3) were planted in pot experiments in an inland arid region in 2019. Four treatments were conducted with eight replicates: plants without sheep excrement and cutting (CK), plants with multi-cutting (MC), plants with sheep excrement (SE), and plants with multi-cutting and sheep excrement (CE). The results showed that the carbon dioxide (CO2) emission of common vetch with CE significantly was higher than that with MC at the earlier and later branching stages (p < 0.05). That of spring wheat with CE was significantly higher than that with MC at the later tillering stage (p < 0.05). Nitrogen oxide (N2O) emissions of the two forage crops with SE rose significantly more than those with MC at both stages (p < 0.05). Methane (CH4) of both forage crops with SE changed from absorption to emission (p < 0.05). Soil NO3 −-N content of both forages significantly increased with SE compared with MC (p < 0.05), while soil NH4 +-N content did not change significantly. Sheep excrement changed the CH4 sink into a CH4 source of the soil growing the two forage crops and increased the emissions of CO2 and N2O, whereas multi-cutting significantly reduced the GHG intensity of forage crops mostly by promoting the growth of the two forage crops. Future studies are suggested to identify the spatiotemporal effects of cutting and sheep excrement on GHG emissions to improve the prediction of future climate impacts from grazing activities.

ACS Style

Xinzhou Zhao; Lina Shi; Shanning Lou; Jiao Ning; Yarong Guo; Qianmin Jia; Fujiang Hou. Sheep Excrement Increases Mass of Greenhouse Gases Emissions from Soil Growing Two Forage Crop and Multi-Cutting Reduces Intensity. Agriculture 2021, 11, 238 .

AMA Style

Xinzhou Zhao, Lina Shi, Shanning Lou, Jiao Ning, Yarong Guo, Qianmin Jia, Fujiang Hou. Sheep Excrement Increases Mass of Greenhouse Gases Emissions from Soil Growing Two Forage Crop and Multi-Cutting Reduces Intensity. Agriculture. 2021; 11 (3):238.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Xinzhou Zhao; Lina Shi; Shanning Lou; Jiao Ning; Yarong Guo; Qianmin Jia; Fujiang Hou. 2021. "Sheep Excrement Increases Mass of Greenhouse Gases Emissions from Soil Growing Two Forage Crop and Multi-Cutting Reduces Intensity." Agriculture 11, no. 3: 238.

Journal article
Published: 10 March 2021 in Applied Soil Ecology
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Livestock grazing and nitrogen (N) deposition influenced most grasslands in the world by affecting the element contents and their stoichiometry in soil. Although the individual effects of grazing or N deposition on soil nutrients are well understood, how their interaction effects on soil stoichiometric characteristics are unclear. To reveal the response of soil carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus (C:N:P) stoichiometry to grazing and N deposition, we conducted an experiment in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP), which included three stocking rates (0, 8 and 16 sheep ha−1) and four N addition levels (0, 50, 100 and 200 kg N ha−1 yr−1). The results showed that grazing had no significant impact on soil C:N:P stoichiometry. Nitrogen addition significantly increased soil total N and N:P ratio at the stocking rate of 8 sheep ha−1 in the surface soil. The interactive effects of grazing and N addition did not significantly affect soil C:N:P stoichiometry, however, the interplay between grazing and N addition caused vegetation changes, which had indirect effects on soil C:N:P stoichiometry. The differential responses of plants and soil indicated that soil was less sensitive to grazing and N addition than plants. Our findings indicated that N was still a major limit factor for plant growth in the alpine meadow of QTP, and hopefully, provided that stocking rate at 8 sheep ha−1 and N addition at 50 kg N ha−1 yr−1 could be a suitable grassland management technique for soil fertility sequestration in the QTP.

ACS Style

Lan Li; Yang Liu; Tianhao Xiao; Fujiang Hou. Different responses of soil C:N:P stoichiometry to stocking rate and nitrogen addition level in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Applied Soil Ecology 2021, 165, 103961 .

AMA Style

Lan Li, Yang Liu, Tianhao Xiao, Fujiang Hou. Different responses of soil C:N:P stoichiometry to stocking rate and nitrogen addition level in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Applied Soil Ecology. 2021; 165 ():103961.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lan Li; Yang Liu; Tianhao Xiao; Fujiang Hou. 2021. "Different responses of soil C:N:P stoichiometry to stocking rate and nitrogen addition level in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau." Applied Soil Ecology 165, no. : 103961.

Journal article
Published: 05 March 2021 in Animals
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Grazing Swan geese (Anser cygnoides) have good meat quality but grow slowly. This study aimed to study whether supplemental feeding could improve growth performance of grazing Swan geese and investigate a suitable dietary metabolizable energy (ME) level of supplemental diet for grazing Swan geese. Naturalized healthy male Swan geese (n = 144; 42 ± 2.0 days and 1.21 ± 0.17 kg) were randomly allocated into 4 groups and grazed on pasture alone (control, CON) or offered supplemental diets with ME of 9.5, 11.5, or 13.5 MJ/kg of DM after grazing. Growth performance and body-size measurements (including bone development) were lower (p < 0.05) in CON versus supplemented geese, as well as slaughter measurements on days 28 and 56. The DM intake linearly decreased (p < 0.01) with increasing dietary ME from day 29 to 56. Slaughter, semi-eviscerated, eviscerated, and thigh muscle yield linearly (p < 0.01) decreased with increasing dietary ME on day 56. Lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) for breast and thigh muscle on days 28 and 56, and breast muscle shear force on day 56, were lower (p < 0.01) in supplemented versus CON geese. In conclusion, supplemental feeding improved growth performance and carcass characteristics of grazing Swan geese, and supplemental feed with ME of 9.5 MJ/kg of DM could be offered to improve growth and meat quality of grazing Swan geese.

ACS Style

Tao Ran; Yi Fang; Hai Xiang; Chengzhen Zhao; Daowei Zhou; Fujiang Hou; Yan Niu; Rongzhen Zhong. Effects of Supplemental Feed with Different Levels of Dietary Metabolizable Energy on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Grazing Naturalized Swan Geese (Anser cygnoides). Animals 2021, 11, 711 .

AMA Style

Tao Ran, Yi Fang, Hai Xiang, Chengzhen Zhao, Daowei Zhou, Fujiang Hou, Yan Niu, Rongzhen Zhong. Effects of Supplemental Feed with Different Levels of Dietary Metabolizable Energy on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Grazing Naturalized Swan Geese (Anser cygnoides). Animals. 2021; 11 (3):711.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tao Ran; Yi Fang; Hai Xiang; Chengzhen Zhao; Daowei Zhou; Fujiang Hou; Yan Niu; Rongzhen Zhong. 2021. "Effects of Supplemental Feed with Different Levels of Dietary Metabolizable Energy on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Grazing Naturalized Swan Geese (Anser cygnoides)." Animals 11, no. 3: 711.

Original research
Published: 26 February 2021 in Ecology and Evolution
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Plant litter decomposition is mainly affected by litter properties and environmental factors, but the influence of terrain on litter decomposition is not well understood. We studied the effects of terrain on litter decomposition over a period of 12 months at six locations in a typical steppe ecoregion and measured the concomitant release of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P). The study site has two aspects, shaded and sunny, each aspect having three slopes: 15°, 30°, and 45°. The same mixed litter was used at each location to exclude the influence of litter quality variation. Results showed that soil temperature and moisture, solar radiation, and plant species diversity varied by terrain, which in turn, affected the k‐value (standardized total effects, 0.78, 0.12, 0.92, 0.23, respectively) and the release of C (0.72, –0.25, 0.83, 0.24, respectively), N (0.89, –0.45, 0.76, 0.40, respectively) and P (0.88, 0.77, 0.58, 0.57, respectively). K‐value and C release decreased with increasing slope on shaded aspect, while increased with increasing slope on sunny aspect. The release of N and P decreased with increasing slope on the shaded aspect. K‐value and C, N, and P release were significantly higher on shaded than that on sunny aspect at 15° and 30°, while at 45°, it was higher on sunny than on shaded aspect. The litter mass loss was slower on shaded 45° and sunny 15°. So moderate grazing or mowing could be used to reduce litter accumulation and accelerate litter decomposition on these terrains. Structural equation modeling indicated that soil temperature and solar radiation had the greatest influence on k‐value and C, N, and P release, and these two factors were directly related to soil moisture and plant species diversity. Overall, our results emphasize the need to consider terrain for litter decomposition in typical steppe ecoregions.

ACS Style

An Hu; Yaning Duan; Lei Xu; Shenghua Chang; Xianjiang Chen; Fujiang Hou. Litter decomposes slowly on shaded steep slope and sunny gentle slope in a typical steppe ecoregion. Ecology and Evolution 2021, 11, 2461 -2470.

AMA Style

An Hu, Yaning Duan, Lei Xu, Shenghua Chang, Xianjiang Chen, Fujiang Hou. Litter decomposes slowly on shaded steep slope and sunny gentle slope in a typical steppe ecoregion. Ecology and Evolution. 2021; 11 (6):2461-2470.

Chicago/Turabian Style

An Hu; Yaning Duan; Lei Xu; Shenghua Chang; Xianjiang Chen; Fujiang Hou. 2021. "Litter decomposes slowly on shaded steep slope and sunny gentle slope in a typical steppe ecoregion." Ecology and Evolution 11, no. 6: 2461-2470.

Journal article
Published: 18 February 2021 in Diversity
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Soil microbial composition and diversity are widely recognized for their role in ecological functioning. This study examined the differences of soil microbial communities between two seasonally grazed grasslands. The study area was in the Gansu red deer farm located on the Qilian Mountain range in the Gansu province of northwestern China. This farm adopted a seasonal rotation grazing system whereby grasslands at higher altitudes are grazed in summer (SG), whilst grasslands at lower altitudes are grazed in winter (WG). The soil bacterial and fungal communities were examined by Illumina MiSeq sequencing. We found that soil water content (SWC), organic carbon (OC), total carbon (TC), and total nitrogen (TN) were significantly higher, whereas the C/N ratio was significantly lower in SG than WG pastures. The α-diversity of bacteria was greater than that of fungi in both pastures, while both bacterial and fungal α-diversity were not significantly different between the pastures. The bacterial β-diversity was significantly different between the pastures, but fungal β-diversity was not. The bacterial phylum Actinobacteria and fungal phylum Ascomycota were dominant in both pastures. The relative abundance of Actinobacteria in soil was significantly higher in WG pastures, whereas the relative abundance of Proteobacteria in soil was significantly higher in SG pastures. Significant correlations between bacterial and fungal phyla and soil properties were observed, but this varied between the two grasslands. This study showed that distinct microbial community structures developed in two pastures within the same geographic location that were grazed in different seasons.

ACS Style

Andéole Turatsinze; Baotian Kang; Tianqi Zhu; Fujiang Hou; Saman Bowatte. Soil Bacterial and Fungal Composition and Diversity Responses to Seasonal Deer Grazing in a Subalpine Meadow. Diversity 2021, 13, 84 .

AMA Style

Andéole Turatsinze, Baotian Kang, Tianqi Zhu, Fujiang Hou, Saman Bowatte. Soil Bacterial and Fungal Composition and Diversity Responses to Seasonal Deer Grazing in a Subalpine Meadow. Diversity. 2021; 13 (2):84.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Andéole Turatsinze; Baotian Kang; Tianqi Zhu; Fujiang Hou; Saman Bowatte. 2021. "Soil Bacterial and Fungal Composition and Diversity Responses to Seasonal Deer Grazing in a Subalpine Meadow." Diversity 13, no. 2: 84.

Regular article
Published: 18 February 2021 in Plant and Soil
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Deposition of urine and dung is a key mechanism by which herbivores influence the nutrient cycling of terrestrial ecosystems. Yet, little is known about the roles of urine, dung and their mixtures in regulating the plant and soil carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus (C:N:P) stoichiometry and their interactions. We explored how different excrement types (urine, dung and their mixtures) and supply levels [urine: 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 L m−2; dung: 4.7, 9.4 and 14.2 g m−2; mixtures (urine+dung): 0.5 + 4.7, 1.0 + 9.4 and 1.5 + 14.2] altered the plant and soil C:N:P stoichiometry in a semi-arid grassland on the Loess Plateau. We found that the aboveground biomass of the whole community was highest at the highest mixtures application rate, while the highest aboveground biomass of the three dominant species was detected at applications of 0.5 L m−2 urine for Stipa bungeana, 9.4 g m−2 dung for Lespedeza davurica and 1.0 L m−2 urine +9.4 g m−2 dung for Artemisia capillaris. Urine and dung alone increased plant N concentration, which peaked at 1.0 L m−2 urine. Plant P concentration at 1.5 + 14.2 mixtures was significantly higher than that at control without significant difference between excrement types. Compared to the control, excrement deposition did not significantly change plant C concentration and C:N, C:P and N:P ratios. However, plant C:P and N:P ratios under the mixtures were significantly lower than those under urine or dung. Excrement applications led to more soil (total, microbial and organic) C, N and P accumulations. Compared to urine and dung, the mixtures induced higher total P concentration but lower total N concentration in soil. Our study demonstrated that the impacts of sheep urine and dung on plant and soil C and nutrient concentrations and stoichiometry differed from that of mixtures. The plant N:P ratio indicated balanced N:P supply for urine and dung applications but N limitation for mixtures application. This study provides experimental evidence that the excrement of herbivores plays an important role in altering ecological stoichiometry in plants and soil.

ACS Style

Lan Li; Jing Zhang; Xiong Zhao He; Fujiang Hou. Different effects of sheep excrement type and supply level on plant and soil C:N:P stoichiometry in a typical steppe on the loess plateau. Plant and Soil 2021, 462, 45 -58.

AMA Style

Lan Li, Jing Zhang, Xiong Zhao He, Fujiang Hou. Different effects of sheep excrement type and supply level on plant and soil C:N:P stoichiometry in a typical steppe on the loess plateau. Plant and Soil. 2021; 462 (1-2):45-58.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lan Li; Jing Zhang; Xiong Zhao He; Fujiang Hou. 2021. "Different effects of sheep excrement type and supply level on plant and soil C:N:P stoichiometry in a typical steppe on the loess plateau." Plant and Soil 462, no. 1-2: 45-58.

Journal article
Published: 18 February 2021 in Sustainability
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Grassland agroecosystem plays a key role on resource cycling and sustainability of global ecosystem. Forage is the basic factor and core of the grassland agroecosystem. At a single scale, the most of forage evaluation remain in a state of qualitative or quantitative evaluation, and lack a series of quantitative evaluation at multi spatial scales and influence of society, environment and economy. This study collected dominant indicators at micro, plot, farm, ecoregional and macro scales to compile a systemic evaluation of forage in agroecosystems. A case study is presented for forage evaluation by using plot, farm, and regional data from an arid region of Gansu, China. Multi-scale evaluation of dominant factors (MSDF) was used to aggregate forage evaluation indicators. Results showed that the scale of evaluation had significant effects on the results of the evaluation. The evaluation results of the single index for the same forage species among plot, farm and ecoregional scales were different. Results implied that forage MSDF are needed to guide the evaluation of forage and then production of forage and herbivore in the future. An appropriate scale of evaluation could be selected in term of the forage production objectives and moreover, MSDF evaluation of forage should be used to improve the environmental, social and productive evaluation of forage in a grassland agroecosystems.

ACS Style

Shanning Lou; Jiao Ning; Cheng Zhang; Chunmei Wang; Wanhe Zhu; Shenghua Chang; Fujiang Hou. Multi-Scale Evaluation of Dominant Factors (MSDF) on Forage: An Ecosystemic Method to Understand the Function of Forage. Sustainability 2021, 13, 2163 .

AMA Style

Shanning Lou, Jiao Ning, Cheng Zhang, Chunmei Wang, Wanhe Zhu, Shenghua Chang, Fujiang Hou. Multi-Scale Evaluation of Dominant Factors (MSDF) on Forage: An Ecosystemic Method to Understand the Function of Forage. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (4):2163.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Shanning Lou; Jiao Ning; Cheng Zhang; Chunmei Wang; Wanhe Zhu; Shenghua Chang; Fujiang Hou. 2021. "Multi-Scale Evaluation of Dominant Factors (MSDF) on Forage: An Ecosystemic Method to Understand the Function of Forage." Sustainability 13, no. 4: 2163.

Journal article
Published: 04 February 2021 in Plants
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The effect of grazing on leaf photosynthesis has been extensively studied. However, the influence of grazing on photosynthesis in other green tissues, especially spike, has remained poorly understood. This study investigated the impact of different grazing intensities (light grazing (LG), medium grazing (MG), and heavy grazing (HG)) on leaf and spike photosynthesis parameters and photosynthetic pigments of three grass species (Stipa purpurea, Achnatherum inebrians, and Leymus secalinus) on an alpine steppe in the Qilian Mountains. Grazing promoted leaf photosynthesis rate in S. purpurea and L. secalinus but reduced it in A. inebrians. Conversely, spike photosynthesis rate decreased in S. purpurea and L. secalinus under intense grazing, while there was no significant difference in spike photosynthesis rate in A. inebrians. The leaf and spike net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and transpiration rate (Tr) in S. purpurea were the greatest among the three species, while their organ temperatures were the lowest. On the other hand, grazing stimulated leaf chlorophyll biosynthesis in S. purpurea and L. secalinus but accelerated leaf chlorophyll degradation in A. inebrians. Furthermore, spike chlorophyll biosynthesis was inhibited in the three species under grazing, and only L. secalinus had the ability to recover from the impairment. Grazing had a positive effect on leaf photosynthesis parameters of S. purpurea and L. secalinus but a negative effect on those of A. inebrians. However, spike photosynthesis parameters were negatively influenced by grazing. Among the three species investigated, S. purpurea displayed the greatest ability for leaf and spike photosynthesis to withstand and acclimate to grazing stress. This study suggests that moderate grazing enhanced leaf photosynthetic capacity of S. purpurea and L. secalinus but reduced it in A. inebrians. However, spike photosynthetic capacity of three grass species decreased in response to grazing intensities.

ACS Style

Jin Li; Fujiang Hou; Jizhou Ren. Grazing Intensity Alters Leaf and Spike Photosynthesis, Transpiration, and Related Parameters of Three Grass Species on an Alpine Steppe in the Qilian Mountains. Plants 2021, 10, 294 .

AMA Style

Jin Li, Fujiang Hou, Jizhou Ren. Grazing Intensity Alters Leaf and Spike Photosynthesis, Transpiration, and Related Parameters of Three Grass Species on an Alpine Steppe in the Qilian Mountains. Plants. 2021; 10 (2):294.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jin Li; Fujiang Hou; Jizhou Ren. 2021. "Grazing Intensity Alters Leaf and Spike Photosynthesis, Transpiration, and Related Parameters of Three Grass Species on an Alpine Steppe in the Qilian Mountains." Plants 10, no. 2: 294.

Original article
Published: 15 January 2021 in Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition
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Low selenium (Se) in soil and forage can adversely affect on the quality of animal‐derived foods, and hence on human health. Lambs grazed on mixed pastures of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) were supplemented with five levels of Se [0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 µg/kg body weight (BW)]. The intake of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) varied with the level of Se supplementation, with a peak at 6 µg Se per kg BW (p ≤ 0.05). Gross energy (GE) intake, digestive energy (DE) intake and metabolic energy (ME) intake were higher at 6 µg Se per kg BW than at other Se levels (p < 0.01); in addition, methane energy (CH4‐E) output was lower at 6 µg Se per kg BW. Supplementation with Se significantly increased nitrogen (N) intake, faecal N and urine N, for which the peak values were 20.2 g N/, 5.62 g N/day and 7.92 g N/day, respectively, at 6 µg Se per kg BW. Se intake, blood Se, faecal Se, urine Se and retained Se were negatively correlated with forage crude protein (CP) content (p < 0.001) but were positively correlated with the content of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (p < 0.001) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) (p < 0.001). Thus, we recommend the addition of 6 µg Se per kg BW to sheep grazed on pastures in regions with low soil Se.

ACS Style

Yueting Pan; Yongjia Wang; Shanning Lou; Metha Wanapat; Zhaofeng Wang; Wanhe Zhu; Fujiang Hou. Selenium supplementation improves nutrient intake and digestibility, and mitigates CH 4 emissions from sheep grazed on the mixed pasture of alfalfa and tall fescue. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Yueting Pan, Yongjia Wang, Shanning Lou, Metha Wanapat, Zhaofeng Wang, Wanhe Zhu, Fujiang Hou. Selenium supplementation improves nutrient intake and digestibility, and mitigates CH 4 emissions from sheep grazed on the mixed pasture of alfalfa and tall fescue. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Yueting Pan; Yongjia Wang; Shanning Lou; Metha Wanapat; Zhaofeng Wang; Wanhe Zhu; Fujiang Hou. 2021. "Selenium supplementation improves nutrient intake and digestibility, and mitigates CH 4 emissions from sheep grazed on the mixed pasture of alfalfa and tall fescue." Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 24 December 2020 in Rangeland Ecology & Management
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Shrub cover in alpine meadows around the world has experienced significant changes during the past 20 yr. An increase in shrub cover has often been associated with large influences in ecosystem functions. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the impact of shrub cover on herbaceous forage quality and yak grazing efficiency on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China. Forty-eight yak steers were randomly assigned to four grazing pastures with different shrub cover rates (control, low, middle, and high). The whole grazing period was categorized as vegetative stage (June to July), bloom stage (August to October), and senescent stage (November to December). Herbaceous forage chemical composition and body weight of yaks were measured, and serum and rumen samples were analyzed. Although shrub cover had no effect on herbaceous forage chemical composition and serum biochemical parameters of yaks, total herbaceous forage production in pastures and crude protein intake of yaks decreased with increasing shrub cover. Such changes decreased average daily gain of yaks. As expected, increasing the herbaceous forage maturation significantly decreased crude protein content while increased dry matter, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents, consequently, reduced herbaceous forage crude protein and organic matter intakes and average daily gain of yaks. The rumen of yaks has higher ammonia nitrogen and total volatile fatty acid concentrations and butyrate proportion in the bloom stage of forage compared with those of the senescent stage. The results indicate that shrub cover on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau needs a certain level of control for the sustainable grazing yak production, although it has little negative effect on blood health and rumen fermentation. Additionally, it is vital to select the optimum time to market livestock or supplement feed with yaks during the cold season on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

ACS Style

C. Yang; T. Yan; Y. Sun; F. Hou. Shrub cover impacts on yak growth performance and herbaceous forage quality on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. Rangeland Ecology & Management 2020, 75, 9 -16.

AMA Style

C. Yang, T. Yan, Y. Sun, F. Hou. Shrub cover impacts on yak growth performance and herbaceous forage quality on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. Rangeland Ecology & Management. 2020; 75 ():9-16.

Chicago/Turabian Style

C. Yang; T. Yan; Y. Sun; F. Hou. 2020. "Shrub cover impacts on yak growth performance and herbaceous forage quality on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China." Rangeland Ecology & Management 75, no. : 9-16.

Journal article
Published: 09 December 2020 in Pedobiologia
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Sequestration of carbon (C) in soils provides an important tool for climate change mitigation and grasslands offer significant potential for this approach. In this study, we examined soil organic C (SOC) protection mechanisms in alpine meadow, typical steppe and desert grassland ecosystems located in the Gansu province of China. We also examined which microbial taxonomic groups are associated with physically protected C and unprotected C. Soil samples for the study were collected from 0∼10 and 10∼20 cm soil depths from a desert in Ping Shan Hu county, typical steppe in Huanxian county and alpine meadow in Maqu county. The soil samples were subjected to the soil physiochemical fractionation to identify physically, chemically and biochemically protected and unprotected C. The soil bacterial and fungal communities were examined by DNA metabarcoding using Illumina sequencing, and redundancy analysis was used to identify microbial taxa with close associations with physically protected C and unprotected C. The alpine meadow consisted of the largest SOC stock, mostly physically protected (87.14%), while also consisting of a large amount of unprotected C. Typical steppe and desert SOC stocks were smaller but the C was in chemically protected stable forms (86.25% and 60.22% respectively). The redundancy analysis identified bacterial phyla Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Verrucomicrobia and the fungal phyla Zygomycota and Chytridiomycota as microbial groups that were significantly related to physical C protection and unprotected C.

ACS Style

Tianqi Zhu; Saman Herath; Paul Newton; Fujiang Hou; Saman Bowatte. Distribution of physiochemically defined soil organic carbon pools and their relationship to the soil microbial community in grasslands. Pedobiologia 2020, 84, 150704 .

AMA Style

Tianqi Zhu, Saman Herath, Paul Newton, Fujiang Hou, Saman Bowatte. Distribution of physiochemically defined soil organic carbon pools and their relationship to the soil microbial community in grasslands. Pedobiologia. 2020; 84 ():150704.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tianqi Zhu; Saman Herath; Paul Newton; Fujiang Hou; Saman Bowatte. 2020. "Distribution of physiochemically defined soil organic carbon pools and their relationship to the soil microbial community in grasslands." Pedobiologia 84, no. : 150704.

Research article
Published: 08 December 2020 in Land Degradation & Development
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Medicago sativa (herbaceous) and Caragana korshinskii (woody) are the most important legume species planted in semiarid grassland on the Loess Plateau, China. However, the effects of introducing these legumes on the productivity, diversity and soil fertility of native grassland are not well understood. The effects of planting M. sativa and C. korshinskii on the productivity, diversity, and soil properties of native grassland on the Loess Plateau was assessed was assessed over a ten‐year period. A 20‐ha area of grassland was selected for planting in 2009 and subdivided into 18 1‐ha plots with three treatments; a non‐planted control (GN), M. sativa (GM) and C. korshinskii (GC) planted individually, with six replicates. Ten subplots were established in each plot from which plant and soil samples were collected in Aug 2019. Compared with GN, GM and GC increased vegetative cover by 12.1 and 9.0%, respectively. Soil organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), ammonium nitrogen (NH4+‐N), nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3‐‐N), and total phosphorus (TP) were also higher (P < 0.05) in the GM and GC treatments. Compared with GN, GM had no effect on native grassland productivity but did reduce species richness and evenness. In contrast GC increased grassland productivity and maintained species richness and evenness. This suggests that C. korshinskii is the preferred legume species for grassland restoration on the Loess Plateau.

ACS Style

An Hu; James Millner; Fujiang Hou. Introduction of woody and herbaceous legumes influences productivity, diversity and soil properties in a degraded grassland. Land Degradation & Development 2020, 32, 3762 -3772.

AMA Style

An Hu, James Millner, Fujiang Hou. Introduction of woody and herbaceous legumes influences productivity, diversity and soil properties in a degraded grassland. Land Degradation & Development. 2020; 32 (13):3762-3772.

Chicago/Turabian Style

An Hu; James Millner; Fujiang Hou. 2020. "Introduction of woody and herbaceous legumes influences productivity, diversity and soil properties in a degraded grassland." Land Degradation & Development 32, no. 13: 3762-3772.

Journal article
Published: 04 December 2020 in BMC Microbiology
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Background Rumen microbiota in ruminants are vital for sustaining good rumen ecology, health, and productivity. Currently, limited information is available regarding the response of yaks (Bos grunniens) to fluctuating environments, especially the rumen microbiome. To address this, we investigated the diet, rumen bacterial community, and volatile fatty acids (VFA) of rumen fluid of yaks raised in the great Qinghai-Tibet plateau (QTP) at 2800 (low altitude, L), 3700 (middle altitude, M), and 4700 m (high altitude, H) above sea level. Results The results showed that despite a partial diet overlap, H yaks harbored higher fibrous fractious contents than the M and L grazing yaks. Bacteria including Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Ruminococcus_1, Romboutsia, Alloprevotella, Eubacterium coprostanoligenes, Clostridium, Streptococcus, and Treponema were found to be enriched in the rumen of yaks grazing at H. They also showed higher rumen microbial diversity and total VFA concentrations than those shown by yaks at M and L. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) on weighted UniFrac distances revealed that the bacterial community structure of rumen differed between the three altitudes. Moreover, Tax4fun metagenome estimation revealed that microbial genes associated with energy requirement and carbohydrate metabolic fate were overexpressed in the rumen microbiota of H yaks. Conclusions Collectively, our results revealed that H yaks had a stronger herbage fermenting ability via rumen microbial fermentation. Their enhanced ability of utilizing herbage may be partly owing to a microbiota adaptation for more energy requirements in the harsh H environment, such as lower temperature and the risk of hypoxia.

ACS Style

Qingshan Fan; Metha Wanapat; Tianhai Yan; Fujiang Hou. Altitude influences microbial diversity and herbage fermentation in the rumen of yaks. BMC Microbiology 2020, 20, 1 -13.

AMA Style

Qingshan Fan, Metha Wanapat, Tianhai Yan, Fujiang Hou. Altitude influences microbial diversity and herbage fermentation in the rumen of yaks. BMC Microbiology. 2020; 20 (1):1-13.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Qingshan Fan; Metha Wanapat; Tianhai Yan; Fujiang Hou. 2020. "Altitude influences microbial diversity and herbage fermentation in the rumen of yaks." BMC Microbiology 20, no. 1: 1-13.