Climate change is likely to have a negative impact on soil functions in agro-ecosystems in
the future. Alley cropping combines trees and agricultural crops or grassland on the same …

Trees alter microclimate and radiation budget in alley cropping systems, which in turn
change physiological processes of the grassland component. The influence of the trees on …

Topography has strong effects on microclimates; thus may influence the decomposition of
organic matter, a key process determines soil nutrient availability and carbon fluxes in …

Excess litter accumulates on the soil surface of fenced grasslands and alters the abiotic
environment and plant population dynamics. However, little is known about the effect of litter …

Aims After abandonment of grasslands, secondary succession leads to the invasion by
woody species. This process begins with the accumulation of tree litter in the forest …

It is often assumed that a change in litter quality is the main driver of alterations in the
decomposition process when grazers modify vegetation structure. Soil microclimate is also …

Overgrazing has been considered one of the major causes that trigger shrub encroachment
of grassland. Proliferation of shrubs in grassland is recognized as an important indicator of …

The climatic controls on decomposition rates have gained considerable interest in recent
years because of a perceived risk that elevated global temperatures could lead to positive …

Litter decomposition is a key process of nutrient cycling in ecosystems, and has been
studied in a wide range of grasslands, including the steppes on the Mongolian Plateau …

Changing climates are expected to increase the vulnerability of the world's rangelands to
ecosystem degradation. Rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns are likely to …