Grazing exclusion for six years is the best way to restore damaged grasslands in the alpine meadow-steppe of the north-eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The researchers studied how different lengths of grazing exclusion affected plant growth and soil quality. They found that after six years of exclusion, there was a peak in plant biomass, biodiversity, and soil carbon and nitrogen storage. Factors like soil density, moisture, and nutrient content played a big role in these changes. Long-term exclusion (more than nine years) was not necessary for stable plant communities and carbon/nitrogen levels. The ideal duration for moderately damaged grasslands is six years.