Spatial heterogeneity of grassland vegetation : a statistical approach

本研究的目的是阐明草地空间异质性与可持续性之间的关系。我们可以从研究结果推测如下：（a）放牧动物通过其排泄物在草地上诱导了养分和种子的空间异质性，（B）排泄物周围大量的养分带来了活跃的养分循环，促进了那里的植物的再生长，（c）排泄物周围的植物由于气味难闻和消化率低而不被放牧动物消耗，（d）通过粪便零星散布的种子可能导致新植物物种的再生，然后，（e）在牧场上出现植物生物量/植被的强烈空间异质性，结果，（f）通过草原生物量和植被分布的小规模异质性，维持植物、动物及其环境之间物质循环的可持续性。

The objective of this study is to clarify on the relationships between spatial heterogeneity and sustainability in grasslands. We can speculate from results of the study as follows : (a) grazing animals induce a spatial heterogeneity of nutrients and seed over the grassland through their excrement, (b) the large amount of nutrients around areas with excreta brings about active nutrient cycling and promotes the re-growth of plants there, c plant around feces are not consumed by grazing animals due to the bad smell and low digestibility, (d) patchy scattering of seeds through feces may lead to the regeneration of new plant species, then, (e) strong spatial heterogeneity of plant biomass/vegetation occurs over the pasture, and as the result (f) the sustainability in matter cycling between plants, animals and their environment is maintained through the small-scale heterogeneity in the biomass and vegetational distribution in the grassland.