Loss of key plant species in alpine meadows threatens ecosystem balance.
The researchers studied how removing different plant groups affects an alpine meadow's community structure and productivity. They simulated long-term overgrazing by removing specific plant species in a Tibetan plateau meadow. The results showed that removing plant groups changed the community's height, species diversity, and biomass. Grass species had the most impact on the meadow's productivity, and competition between different plant groups played a significant role in shaping the community. Overall, the study highlights the importance of plant diversity in maintaining a healthy and productive alpine meadow ecosystem.