The study looked at how alpine meadows in the Yellow River Source Area change as they degrade. By studying plants, communities, and soil in different levels of degradation, researchers found that as meadows degrade, species diversity, forage production, soil nutrients, and moisture decrease. Rodent damage is worse in more degraded areas. Original vegetation and extreme degradation have less rodent damage compared to mild and severe degradation. The characteristics of alpine meadows vary at different stages in the Yellow River Source Area.