The meaning of grassland can be divided into broad sense and narrow sense: broad sense includes vegetation dominated by herbs formed in relatively arid environment, mainly including tropical grassland (savanna) and temperate grassland. Grassland in a narrow sense only includes temperate grassland. Because there are many trees on the savanna.
According to biological and ecological characteristics, it can be divided into four types:
① Meadow grassland;
② Flat grassland (typical grassland);
③ Desert grassland;
④ Alpine grassland. There are many excellent pastures growing on the grassland, which is an important animal husbandry base. In addition, there are many medicinal plants in grassland vegetation, which can be harvested and utilized.
Paragraph 2 of Article 2 of the Grassland Law stipulates that grasslands mentioned in this Law refer to natural grasslands and artificial grasslands. Natural grassland refers to a land type, which is a multifunctional natural complex composed of herbs and woody forage plants and the land they planted. Artificial grassland refers to the grassland planted or improved by selecting suitable grass species and artificial measures.
2. Temperate grassland
Zonal vegetation types composed of perennial herbs in temperate semi-arid to semi-humid environment. Leng Xia is warm in winter in grassland area, with less precipitation and strong evaporation. The weak leaching of soil and the developed calcification process limit the growth of tall trees. The community structure of grassland plants is simple and seasonal. There are mainly xerophytic grasses with narrow leaves, such as cryptospermum, Stipa, Pinctada and other genera, as well as compositae, Leguminosae, Cyperaceae and some rhizome grasses. According to different hydrothermal conditions, grasslands can be divided into typical grasslands, desertified grasslands and meadow grasslands. Typical grassland is the most widely distributed type in grassland, which consists of typical xerophytes, mainly tufted grasses, accompanied by a small number of xerophytes and moderately xerophytes, small shrubs and shrubs. Desertification grassland is the most arid type, which is composed of grasses with strong xerophytes, and a large number of ultra-xerophytic desert shrubs and small semi-shrubs are mixed. Meadow grassland is a humid type of grassland, which is composed of mesophytes, often mixed with a large number of mesophyte or mesophyte dicotyledonous weeds, rhizomatous grasses and Carex. According to the thermal ecological conditions, grassland can be divided into temperate grassland, warm temperate grassland and alpine grassland. Under the condition of unstable water state and drought salinization, saline-alkali wet grassland or alkalized grassland will also be formed. In temperate regions of Eurasia and North America, the Eurasian-North American global grassland belt is formed between forest belt and desert belt. South South America and subtropical Africa also have a certain area of grassland, but it is far less developed than the northern hemisphere. In China, grasslands are widely distributed in the western part of Northeast China, Inner Mongolia, the northern part of the Loess Plateau, the mountainous areas in the northwest desert area and most areas of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In addition, grasslands can also appear outside the mountains in desert areas and occupy a corresponding position in the vertical belt spectrum.
A plant community consisting mainly of hardy perennial herbs (sometimes xerophytes). Distributed in temperate zone, it is a zonal vegetation type. The annual rainfall in grassland area is less, mostly concentrated in summer and autumn, with little snow and severe cold in winter, which has obvious continental climate. Plants are mainly tufted grasses, such as Stipa and Festuca. In addition, Cyperaceae, Leguminosae, Compositae and Chenopodiaceae account for a considerable proportion. Chinese grassland is a part of Eurasian grassland, which reaches the Loess Plateau from the northeast through Inner Mongolia, showing a continuous zonal distribution. In addition, it is also found in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the piedmont area of Altai Mountain in Xinjiang and mountainous areas in desert areas, starting at 5 1 degree north latitude and reaching 35 degrees north latitude in the south.
3. Overflowing grassland
Flooded grassland is also called floodplain grassland. It refers to the large area or narrow and flat grassland around the lake, the beaches on both sides of the river and the valley area at the foot of the river formed by long-term flood, sediment deposition, or river overflow and sediment deposition. Due to the frequent backflow and flooding of seawater and the continuous deposition of sediment, a large area of beach grassland has also formed along the coast. The flooded grassland is mainly distributed in the lower reaches of rivers, around lakes and coastal beaches. The soil is muddy meadow soil and lacustrine soil, and the beach is saline-alkali soil with deep and fertile soil layer. The vegetation is mainly aquatic and hygrophytic plants, mainly including reed, Cyperaceae, Potamogeton crispus, Commelina communis, Spartina, Echinochloa crusgalli, Zoysia japonica, Swertia, Artemisia halophila, Suaeda salsa, Spartina, etc. Grass-based grassland has high yield, high quality and good palatability, and is suitable for grazing or mowing. The grass quality of Artemisia halophila grassland is poor and its feeding value is small.
4. Desert grassland
Vegetative grassland developed under drought conditions is called desert grassland or desert grassland, in which true xerophytes are dominant and xerophytes play an obvious role. Habitat and plant types are characterized by the transition from grassland to desert. It is distributed in central and northern Inner Mongolia, central and western Ordos Plateau, western grassland and central Ningxia, eastern Gansu, western and northern Loess Plateau and low slope of Xinjiang. The soil is light chestnut soil, brown calcareous soil and light calcareous soil with thin humus layer. Vegetation has obvious xerophytic characteristics and few species, mainly composed of Stipa crassifolia, Stipa psammophila and Stipa Gobi, Artemisia xerophyte, cryptophytes, algae and annuals. The plant is 23 cm -30 cm high, with a coverage of 30%-40%, and the grass yield is low, with only 2-3 kg of hay per hectare, which is suitable for sheep and horses to graze.
5. Alpine grassland
Above 4000 meters above sea level, the vegetation grassland which is mainly composed of alpine and arid perennial tufted grasses developed under cold, dry and windy conditions is called alpine grass. It is distributed in the north, northeast and northwest of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the upper parts of Kunlun Mountain, Tianshan Mountain and Qilian Mountain. Mix cushion plants, creeping plants and alpine shrubs, such as plum blossom, Paris polyphylla, Saxifraga, juniper and so on. The plants are evenly distributed and the layers are not obvious. Grass height 15cm-20cm, coverage 30%-50%, low grass yield. Suitable for livestock such as pasture, cattle, sheep and horses in summer.
6. Grassland characteristics
1. Open and flat, wide field of vision, suitable for Mercedes-Benz.
2. There are obvious dry and wet seasons.
3. The rainfall is about 250 ~ 750 mm..
7. Grassland residents
1. Good eyesight
2. Sensitive sense of smell and hearing and good running limbs
3. Huge, with a unique physique and life.
8. Grassland in China
Zoige prairie
Zoige Prairie is located in the northwest of China, at the junction of Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai provinces. It consists of four counties: Zoige, Aba, Hongyuan and Rangtang. It is one of the five grasslands in China, covering an area of more than 35,600 square kilometers. It is a Tibetan settlement mainly based on animal husbandry.
There is the largest grassland in Sichuan province, covering an area of nearly 30 thousand square kilometers, which is composed of meadow grassland and swamp. The grassland is flat, endless and sparsely populated. The Red Army's 25,000-mile Long March passed here many times, leaving many touching stories and revolutionary sites, making this grassland famous at home and abroad.
Summer is the golden season of grassland, where the sky is crisp and the visibility is high. Between heaven and earth, green grass, birds and flowers, endless. The grass is dotted with countless small lakes, which are blue, and small rivers connect large and small lakes in series like vines. The river is crystal clear and there are countless fish swimming. Grassland tour is rich in content. You can enjoy the grassland scenery, listen to melodious pastoral songs, fish and have a picnic by the Yellow River, ride horses on the grassland and enjoy sika deer pasture. You can go to the Range Rover at the first bend of the Yellow River, stay in Rongpeng Hotel, pick wild mushrooms in the forest, or go to the temple to worship God.
Grassland is about 3500 meters to 4000 meters above sea level, belonging to a typical hilly plateau. Winter is cold, summer is cool, spring and autumn are short, sunshine is sufficient, and the temperature difference between day and night is large. The annual average temperature is 7 degrees Celsius, and July is the hottest. The monthly average temperature is about 10℃-12.7℃.
Zoige Prairie is rich in aquatic plants, and the original ecological environment is well protected, forming a beautiful and charming grassland scenery. The famous grasslands are Garba Grassland, Songpan Grassland and Hongyuan Grassland.
Xilamuren Prairie
The Xilamuren Grassland is a famous tourist attraction at home and abroad. It welcomes the warm wind of Hohhot in the south and rings the bell of Bailing Temple in the north. Because the Lama named Puhui Temple in Qing Dynasty stood by the river, it was also called Zhao He. In the summer and autumn of the grassland, there are fragrant flowers and grass everywhere, and the charming scenery makes people relaxed and happy. Sheep, horses, cows, camels, in droves, galloping or roaming, like rosy clouds flying in the sky, like pearls and agates scattered by fairies, landed on the banks of the Xilamuren River with silver chains. In the herdsmen's yurts, the hospitable Mongolian host will hold out fresh and clean milk food, fat mutton, refreshing fried rice and mellow milk tea for the guests, and the unique flavor of grassland food will penetrate into your heart.
Prairie In the Air
Air grassland is located between Laiyuan Basin and Yuxian Basin, 26 kilometers northwest of Laiyuan County. It is divided into two parts, north and south, connected by mountains and ridges in the middle, with a total area of 29 square kilometers, belonging to Yuxian, Laiyuan and Lingqiu counties respectively.
The grassland is at the top of a huge Pingdingshan, 2 158 meters above sea level. There are steep slopes all around the mountain, but the top of the mountain covers an area of 36,000 mu. This is a vast grassland full of rocks, green grass and wild flowers. Cool breeze blows blue sea flowers and white clouds swim around, so you can "touch white clouds with your hands and step on flowers and plants with your feet".
The six most beautiful grasslands in China
Eastern grassland of Hulunbeier
Hulunbeier City is located in the east of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with a latitude of11'-12604' and a latitude of 47 05'-53 20'. It governs the world-famous prairie-Hulunbeier Grassland and Daxinganling Mountain, which is known as the treasure house of forest, and borders the Ergon River in the north. The total area is 250,000 square kilometers, and the border line is 1.723 kilometers long. If the territory of the motherland is compared to the cock crowing at dawn, then Hulunbeier is a pearl in the crown of the cock.
Hulunbeier, with a total population of 2,696,998, is one of the birthplaces of ethnic minorities and nomads in northern China and a multi-ethnic settlement. Thirty-five ethnic groups such as Mongolian, Daur, Ewenki, Oroqen and Han live in harmony here, and many ethnic minorities here still inherit and retain their own cultural heritage and customs. Daxing 'anling Mountains, covered by vast forests, runs through the central part from north to south and becomes the natural dividing line between the east and the west of Hulunbeier. Songnen Plain is the black soil plain in the east, and Hulunbeier Grassland, one of the famous grasslands, is in the west. Vast expanse, an unpolluted Hulunbeier grassland, is called "Green Pure Land" and "Northern Jasper". There are more than 1300 species of plants, which are mainly grasses, forming a unique vegetation community landscape. Daxinganling has boundless forests and beautiful scenery. There are more than 3,000 rivers and more than 500 lakes on the ground, inhabited by more than 400 kinds of animals and birds. There are more than 40 kinds of minerals underground. Hulunbeier in the new century, whether it is endless green soil or clear water and blue sky; No matter how long Ma Si hissed, he was still covered in snow. This is all natural. When you come here for a holiday, you will sigh "heaven and earth", which is pleasing to the eye and unforgettable!
Ili grassland
Whether it is the famous Nalati, the rising star Tang, or the traditional pasture Gongnaisi, Yili grassland presents a beautiful temperament and appearance beyond the world. Ili Valley is so unique, winding and full of vitality.
Nalati Grassland is located in the east of xinyuan county, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in the mirror image of Nalati Town, xinyuan county. Nalati means "the place where I first saw the sun".
Nalati grassland is located on the northern slope of Churut Mountain, developed in Zhongshan grassland on the Paleogene flood bed, and connected with Nalati Gaoling in the southeast, just like a barrier. Along the northwest of the upper reaches of the Gongnaisi River valley, the terrain is inclined in a large area, with dense mountain springs and vertical and horizontal streams.
The ravines at the foot of the mountain are deep, rivers crisscross and forests are dense. The annual precipitation in Nalati can reach 800 mm, which is beneficial to pasture growth and has a high livestock carrying capacity. Historically, Nalati grassland has always been called "Lvyuan". It is also an important summer pasture in Gongnaisi grassland.
Nalati grassland is a subalpine meadow plant. Plants composed of mesophytes and grasses are as high as 50-60 cm, and the coverage rate can reach 75-90%. In mid-spring, the grass is tall and the flowers are numerous, and the green is like brocade, which is beautiful. There are lush iris tenuifolia mountain meadows.
Xilingol grassland
Located in Xilinhot City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with an area of 1.0786 million hectares,/kloc-0 was established with the approval of the People's Government of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 1985, accepted by UNESCO as a member of the "International Biosphere Reserve" network in 1987, and 1.997 was promoted to the national level. The main protection objects are meadow grassland, typical grassland, sandy grassland and river valley.
Xilingol grassland is the most representative temperate grassland of tufted grasses (Stipa grandis and Leymus chinensis) in China, and it is also a relatively complete part of the original grassland in the East Asian grassland subregion of Eurasia grassland region. The ecological environment of the reserve is unique and has the basic characteristics of grassland biological community, which can fully reflect the structure and ecological process of typical grassland ecosystem in Inner Mongolia Plateau. At present, there are 658 species of seed plants in this area, belonging to 74 families and 299 genera, 73 species of bryophytes and 46 species of macrofungi, including 426 species of medicinal plants and 0/0/6 species of excellent forage grass. The wild animals distributed in nature reserves reflect the characteristics of Mongolian plateau flora. There are 33 species of mammals such as antelope, wolf and fox, and 76 species of birds. Among them, there are 5 species of national first-class protected wild animals, such as red-crowned crane, white stork, bustard and jade belt sea eagle, and 2/kloc-0 species of national second-class protected wild animals, such as swan, prairie eagle and antelope. This area is the largest nature reserve of grassland and meadow ecosystem in China at present, which occupies an important spatial position in the protection of grassland biodiversity and has obvious international influence.
Alpine grassland in western Sichuan
The western Sichuan mentioned here includes Ya 'an and Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in the west. It is a corridor for ethnic migration, a thoroughfare for exchanges and trade between Han, Tibetan, Yi and other ethnic groups since ancient times, and the core area of Shangri-La pursued by the world. In A Journey to Shangri-La published in 2002, the author once named the Gate of Shangri-La Kangding. Once in Kangding, Shangri-La is no longer far away.
Since the Han Dynasty, tea and horses have been important trade commodities in Sino-Tibetan areas. The route is: Chengdu → Lin Qiong (now Qionglai) → Ya 'an → Flue (now Yingjing) → Crossing Daxiangling to Luoniu County (now Hanyuan County), crossing Dadu River to Moxi and Muya Grassland (now Tagong and xinduqiao), and then walking from Sichuan-Tibet South Road or North Road.
Traveling along the ancient road is a trip of great historical significance. Except for a few abandoned roads hidden in the mountains, most of them are today's roads.
The dividing line between the western Sichuan Plateau and the Chengdu Plain is the Qionglai Mountain range in Ya 'an today, and the western Sichuan Plateau is located to the west of this mountain range. Although the two sides of Erlang Mountain are separated by dozens of kilometers, the climate is very different. Many times, it is rainy in the east and sunny in the west of Erlang Mountain. If you want to deeply experience the culture and customs of Kangzang, you'd better go to the customs. The so-called custom is an expression of natural geography by Kangba people, that is, it is a custom to go north from Kangding and cross the high mountains. Commissioner is a more magnificent world, with vast grasslands, towering snow-capped mountains and melodious pastoral songs. Under the blue sky, a happy flower of the soul is in full bloom.
There are a large number of Han people in Ya 'an in the western Sichuan Plateau, and the main ethnic group is Kangba Tibetans. After hundreds of years of formation, Tibetans unified the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau until Songzan Gambu. At that time, Tibetans became a nation with the same personality and beliefs. This great nation thrives on the snowy plateau and creates splendid Tibetan culture. However, due to the high mountains and dangerous roads, and the existence of some indigenous languages between tribes and castes at that time, the pronunciation of Tibetan was very different. Therefore, Tibetan is divided into Lhasa dialect, Amdo dialect and Kanghua dialect according to different dialects, and most areas of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture belong to Kanghua dialect. People in the Kangyu area call themselves Kangba, and the meaning in Bazhong Kangyu is roughly the same as that in China. There is a famous folk saying: "Kangba people can dance if they can walk, and sing if they can talk." Walking into the western Sichuan Plateau will be a song and dance journey.
The western Sichuan Plateau is dominated by mountains and rivers. The source and main tributaries of the Yangtze River gave birth to an ancient and mysterious civilization here. Dadu River, Yalong River and Jinsha River flow from north to south with the breath of snow-capped mountains and grasslands. Starting from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the mountains also extend from north to south. Geographically, we generally call this area Hengduan Mountain Area. I will talk about Hengduan Mountain Area in the geography section. Geographical and climatic reasons have created the unique landform and complex plateau climate of this land. There are four seasons in one mountain, and different days in ten miles are a true portrayal.
Nakku Arctic-Alpine Grassland
Naqu area is located in the north of Xizang Autonomous Region, bordering Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province in the north, Changdu area in the east, Lhasa, Linzhi and Shigatse in the south and Ali area in the west.
Naqu Tibetan means "Heihe"; The whole area is surrounded by Tanggula Mountain, Nyainqentanglha Mountain and Gangdise Mountain. The Dalgo Snow Mountain in the west and the Buji Snow Mountain in the east are like two lions, guarding this treasure land. This piece of land with a total area of over 400,000 square kilometers is what people often call Qiangtang. The whole terrain is high in the west and low in the east, high in the west, medium in the east and low in the east, with an average elevation of more than 4500 meters. The central and western regions are vast and flat, with hilly basins, lakes and rivers dotted around. In the east is a river valley with many mountains and canyons. It is the only crop producing area in northern Tibet, with a small amount of forest resources and shrub grassland. Its altitude is 3500-4500 meters, and its climate is better than that of the central and western regions.
Naqu area belongs to the sub-frigid climate zone, with cold and lack of oxygen, dry climate and windy weather. The annual average temperature is -0.9℃ to -3.3℃, the annual relative humidity is 48-5 1%, the annual precipitation is 380mm, and the annual sunshine hours are 2852.6-288 1.7 hours. There is no absolute frost-free period all year round. June 1 1 to March of the following year is a dry wind period, during which the climate is dry, the temperature is low, there is lack of oxygen, and the sandstorm is heavy and lasts for a long time. May to September is relatively warm, which is the golden season of grassland. During this period, the climate is mild and the weather is beautiful, and the rainfall accounts for 80% of the whole year. The annual growth period of green plants is around 100 days, which is concentrated in this season.
Naqu area, where the administrative office of Naqu area is located, is the only road of Qinghai-Tibet Highway and one of the tourist areas open to the outside world in Tibet. The horse racing festival, held every August (June in Tibetan calendar), is a grand gathering of grassland in northern Tibet, where tourists, herders and vendors from all over the world gather. Visitors can enjoy the natural scenery, festive atmosphere and ethnic customs of the grasslands in northern Tibet, and they can also visit Xiaodeng Temple, a famous temple in northern Tibet. In Naqu area, the vast Qiangtang grassland and the mysterious no-man's land in northern Tibet will leave a deep impression on tourists, especially the endless no-man's land, which is inhabited by wild yaks, Tibetan antelopes, wild donkeys and other national first-class protected animals, adding more charming colors to this magical land. Namco Lake, the Zaihu Lake in northern Tibet, is located between Dangxiong in Lhasa and Bango County in Naqu area, and many tourists and believers come to turn around the lake every year.
Naqu area is one of the open tourist areas in Tibet. August is the golden season in northern Tibet every year, and the annual horse racing festival is held here, where tourists, vendors, guests and tourists gather. Nagqu grassland in summer is a tapestry of blue sky, white clouds, rainbow, cattle, sheep and green. Visitors will appreciate the beauty of nature here.
qilian mountain grassland
Qilian Mountain Nature Reserve is located at the junction of Gansu and Qinghai provinces, starting from Songshan Mountain in Wushaoling in the east, reaching Dangjinshankou in the west, bordering Hexi Corridor in the north and Qaidam Basin in the south. Qilian Mountain consists of a series of parallel mountains and valleys, with an altitude of 3000-5000 meters and a main peak of 5547 meters. Affected by the cold climate on the plateau, Qilian Mountain is located in the alpine zone with an altitude of more than 4,200 meters, with snow all year round, forming 2,859 glaciers with a total area of 1972.5 square kilometers. The melting of ice and snow has become the source of Yanghe, Heihe and Shule rivers and 56 inland rivers. The annual runoff is 7.26 billion cubic meters, which is the lifeline of Hexi people from bottom to top and the basic guarantee for economic and cultural prosperity here.
Qilian Mountain Nature Reserve is located in Wuwei, Zhangye and Jinchang, with a length of 1.200 km from east to west and a width of 1.20 km from north to south, with a total area of 2.653 million hectares. The main protection objects are water conservation forest and grassland vegetation in Qilian Mountain. There are 1044 species of higher plants in the area, and the main tree species of water conservation forest are Picea crassifolia and Sabina vulgaris in Qilian, with scattered Populus davidiana and Betula platyphylla. Shrubs mainly include plum blossom, Caragana sagitta, Jilaliu and so on. The forestland area is about11000 hectares, and the forest coverage rate is low, but it is extremely important and precious in the whole arid area. It is precisely because of the forest in Qilian Mountain that glacier melt water and rainfall are stored and slowly replenished into rivers, which plays a role in regulating runoff, reducing mountain torrents and ensuring the relative stability of annual runoff. The ancients had a clear understanding of the important role of water source forest, and summarized it as "Qian Shan Snow Mountain, ten thousand pine trees, soil and water conservation, and culvert source overflowing".
There are 58 species of wild animals in Qilian Mountain Nature Reserve, including more than 40 species of birds and 3 species of amphibians and reptiles. The national key protected wild animals include white-lipped deer, wild donkey, wild yak, argali, snow leopard, spotted-tailed hazel chicken and so on. It is also one of the important producing areas of precious medicinal animals and plants musk deer in China.
Qilian Mountain Nature Reserve has a unique and typical natural habitat and flora, which is of great scientific research value.