Abstract: The influence of global warming on terrestrial ecosystems has been one of the hot topics of scientific research in recent years. Grassland ecosystem is one of the most important terrestrial ecosystems and the research on responses of grassland ecosystems to global warming is particularly important. In this paper, the development of warming experiments in terrestrial ecosystems and its application in grassland ecosystems in China were discussed through reviewing the research findings in recent 10 years. Then the effects of global warming on subalpine meadow, alpine meadow, Leymus chinensis meadow and desert grassland in China were analyzed in respects of plant species and community, soil, ecological function and animals. The results showed that shortterm warming would benefit the growth of gramineous plants in meadows, while the importance of warming on plant biomass varied with the stage of plant growth. Warming would change the whole phenology of the plants and significantly reduce the soil moisture of L. chinensis meadow. Moderate climate warming could increase soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen and enhance the recycling of soil carbon and phosphorus in alpine meadow. Based on the discussions, several scientific issues for future research were put forward.

Key words: object-oriented, eCognition, SVM, high spatial resolution, forest gap, QuickBird