Overgrazing leads to plant miniaturization and altered resource allocation patterns.
The study looked at how grazing affects plant size and resource allocation in different grassland communities in Inner Mongolia. They found that overgrazing caused plants to become smaller and allocate more resources to leaves. This helps plants cope with grazing pressure. Light grazing, on the other hand, increased plant growth in some grasslands. Soil moisture also played a role in how plants allocated resources, with wetter habitats leading to more stem growth. Overall, grazing can change how plants grow and allocate resources, impacting the health of grassland ecosystems.