Advances in Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Grazing on Grassland Ecosystems in China

Grassland ecosystems are among the largest terrestrial in China, and grazing, as an important grassland management method, has direct indirect impacts on ecosystems. Meta-analyses can be used to systematically evaluate summarize multiple findings from existing studies, but there have been few comparisons of meta-analysis methods. In this review, we effects grazing plants soil studies China 38 papers. The results show that they consistent conclusions, such reduces aboveground biomass by approximately half, increases pH, decreases C:N:P ratio, number topsoil microorganisms, conclusions light moderate index changes vary greatly study study. belowground was generally found increase, it slightly decreased some cases, total decreased, increased other cases. Vegetation coverage during grazing; moisture content highest for microbial diversity at levels grazing. There also very inconsistent due different datasets quantities samples well variations types scales areas. ranges indicators were large, especially root-shoot ratio carbon. However, stable. We suggest subsequent meta-analyses should further clarify classification compare scales. Additionally, standardized network analyses recommended field manipulation experiments improve accuracy reduce temporal spatial limitations data.