Climate Variability and Impact on Livelihoods in the Cold Arid Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Hai-ying, Feng; Squires, Victor R.

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-56681-8_5

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 22 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In this region, more than half of the surface area is covered by natural grasslands. A recent investigation estimated that there are about 14 million yaks and more than 50 million Tibetan sheep, goats and other livestock in the Tibetan steppe (Feng & Squires, 2018). The heavy pressure of livestock grazing, coupled with the harsh climate, has caused a severe degradation to the grasslands across an area amounting to 35% of this region over recent decades (Cui & Graf, 2009;Zhao et al, 2015;Wang et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Responses of ammonia‐oxidizing archaea and bacteria to nitrogen and phosphorus amendments in an alpine steppe

Dong

Che

Jia³

et al. 2019

European J Soil Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

With the increasing demands of livestock production, grasslands are under pressure from over‐intensified grazing. Phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) fertilization is widely employed to meet the nutrient demands of heavy grazing. Although soil ammonia‐oxidizers play a critical role in determining N dynamics after fertilizer application, their responses to fertilization are still not well understood in steppe grassland systems. Here, the individual and combined effects of N (0, 7.5 and 15 g N m−2 year−1) and P (0, 3.27, 6.55 and 13.09 g P m−2 year−1) applications on soil ammonia‐oxidizers were explored in the Tibetan alpine steppe. Ammonia‐oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) abundance and community composition were examined using qPCR, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and clone libraries. Results showed that AOB diversity was significantly increased by N fertilization and decreased by P fertilization. The abundance of AOB was significantly increased by N fertilization and its interactive effects with P application. In contrast, AOA community diversity and abundance remained unaffected by either N or P application. The AOB abundance and diversity were affected by the direct effects of N fertilization, as well as its indirect effects of N application through available N and ammonium (NH4+), and further analysis showed that NH4+ and pH were the main factors. The changes to the ammonia‐oxidizing community altered the total N content of plants and the N:P ratio of Gramineae. Plant P properties were influenced by P addition, which also interacted with soil pH and available N to indirectly affect AOB. Overall, AOB exhibited stronger responses to N and P fertilization of alpine steppe grassland than AOA, and appear to play a critical role in plant nutrient absorption under fertilization management. Highlights Effects of N and P application on AOA and AOB communities were evaluated. AOB, not AOA, responded to N or P, and their interaction, and NH4+ and pH were regulators of AOB. N application affected AOB community, resulting in changes to plant nutrient absorption. P addition affected plant tissue stoichiometry, and thus affected AOB community.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Responses of ammonia‐oxidizing archaea and bacteria to nitrogen and phosphorus amendments in an alpine steppe

Dong

Che

Jia³

et al. 2019

European J Soil Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The Tibetan rams and bucks have adapted to their habitat on the Tibetan plateau and are known for their valuable genetic resources. They are characterized by a low oxygen level, high temperatures and pressures, and a high amount of ultraviolet radiation (Feng & Squires, 2018; Jing et al, 2017). They have evolved distinct genetic characteristics in physiology, biochemistry, and morphology due to long‐term natural selection to adjust to the plateau's low oxygen environment.…”

Section: Male Goat and Sheep Anatomymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tibetan male sheep and goats are seasonal breeders. The reproductive season generally extends from summer/autumn to the end of winter, with the anoestrous period in the months of spring (Feng & Squires, 2018). The potential breeding soundness starts from June to August to produce lambs and kids during spring and winter.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Animal husbandry is a significant industry in Tibet; it sustains pastoralists and products for trade. Tibetan sheep and goats coexist with wildlife on the plateau and are the main livestock breeds in Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau region (approximately 4000–5500 m) (Feng & Squires, 2018; Jin et al, 2020). It is distinguished by low partial oxygen, high temperatures and pressures, and high levels of ultraviolet radiation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The role of GnRH in Tibetan male sheep and goat reproduction

Zhao,

Adjei,

Zhang

et al. 2023

Reprod Domestic Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal (HPG) axis connects the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and gonads. The regulation of reproductive processes includes integrating various factors from structural functions and environmental conditions in the HPG axis, with the outcome indication of these processes being the pulsatile secretion of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus. These factors include feed consumption and nutritional condition, sex steroids, season/photoperiod, pheromones, age, and stress. GnRH pulsatile secretion affects the pattern of gonadotropin secretion of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which then regulates both endocrine function and gamete maturation in the gonads. This regulates gonadotropins and testosterone (T) production. There is evidence that in males, GnRH participates in a variety of host behavioural and physiological processes such as the release of reproductive hormones, progression of spermatogenesis and sperm function, aggressive behaviour, and physiological metabolism. GnRH activates receptors expressed on Leydig cells and Sertoli cells, respectively to stimulate T secretion and spermatogenesis in the testis. Photoperiod affects the reproductive system of the hypothalamic‐pituitary axis via rhythmic diurnal melatonin secretion. Increased release of melatonin promotes sexual activity, GnRH production, LH stimulation, and T production. This induces testicular functions, spermatogenesis, and puberty. GnRH reduces the release of LH by the pituitary through the cascade effect and decreases plasma concentration of T. Gut microbiota maintain sex steroid homeostasis and may induce reduction in reproduction productivity. Recently, findings of kisspeptin‐neurokinin‐dynorphin neuronal network in the brain have resulted in fast advances in how GnRH secretion is controlled. Emerging studies have also indicated that other neuropeptide analogues could be used in control reproduction procedures in various goat and sheep breeds. The Tibetan male sheep and goats reproduce on a seasonal basis and have high reproductive performance. This is a review for the role of GnRH in Tibetan male sheep and goats reproduction. This is intended to enhance reproductive knowledge for understanding the key roles of GnRH relating to male reproductive efficiency of Tibetan sheep or goats.

show abstract

Drylands of the Mediterranean Basin: Challenges, Problems and Prospects

Mohamed

Squires

2017

Climate Variability Impacts on Land Use and Livelihoods in Drylands

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Climate Variability and Impact on Livelihoods in the Cold Arid Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Cited by 6 publications

References 22 publications

Responses of ammonia‐oxidizing archaea and bacteria to nitrogen and phosphorus amendments in an alpine steppe

Responses of ammonia‐oxidizing archaea and bacteria to nitrogen and phosphorus amendments in an alpine steppe

The role of GnRH in Tibetan male sheep and goat reproduction

Drylands of the Mediterranean Basin: Challenges, Problems and Prospects

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About