Grazing decimates Leymus chinensis reproduction, threatening grassland ecosystem balance.
Grazing by animals in Songnen grassland reduces both asexual and sexual reproduction in Leymus chinensis plants. As grazing intensity increases, the number of asexual shoots, rhizome tillers, seeds, and sexual shoots decreases significantly. Heavy grazing almost eliminates sexual shoots entirely. The plants allocate more biomass to rhizomes with higher grazing intensity, while less biomass goes to assimilation, unassimilation organs, and seed production.