Paper short abstract:

In the Non-equilibrium environmental dominated Mongolian plateau, steppe vegetation was historically used by the nomadic pastoral livestock. In this study, we focused on the relationship between seasonal migration and aboveground biomass of steppe vegetation in the Mongolia.

Paper long abstract:

In the Non-equilibrium environmental dominated Mongolian plateau, steppe vegetation was historically used by the nomadic pastoral livestock, and seasonal migration is an important content of the nomadic pastoral livestock.

In this study, we focused on the relationship between seasonal migration and aboveground biomass of steppe vegetation of Mongolia. The seasonal migration of a nomadic family was recorded by a portable GPS, and aboveground biomass of steppe vegetation was evaluated by Enhanced Vegetation Index which from satellite data, aboveground biomass of vegetation around the seasonal camps was evaluated by the land true methods.

The results showed that warm season's migration distances which targeted to the forage plants were strongly related to the vegetation index. Adjustment of grazing pressure by the seasonal migration was contributed to the sustainability of the steppe vegetation.

This study through quantify of relationship between seasonal migration and steppe vegetation showed the role of nomadic pastoral livestock to the sustainability of steppe ecosystem.