Abstract: In September 2015, two different ecological restoration measurements were conducted by adding yak manure on soil surface of moderately desertified grasslands (MDG) and integrating the application of yak manure + seeds + plowing with 0-20 cm soil depth for severely desertified grasslands (SDG) in Zoigê. Soil arthropods, nematodes, plant communities and soil physical properties were investigated in ecological restoration plots of SDG, MDG, and corresponding control (CK) plots in September 2016. The results showed that plant community structure in SDG and MDG plots recovered and soil physical properties improved significantly after one year restoration compared to the CK. The community structure of soil arthropods and nematodes in the SDG and MDG plots differed from that of the CK, and the abundances were significantly higher than those of the CK (P<0.05). The taxonomic richness of soil arthropods and Shannon index increased and Simpson index decreased due to restoration treatments in SDG and MDG, but significant differences were only observed for SDG (P<0.05). The taxonomic richness and Shannon index of soil nematodes in restored SDG and MDG increased (P<0.05), and Simpson index significantly decreased (P<0.05). Results from regression analysis showed that the height and coverage of plant community were significantly related to the abundance and diversity of soil fauna communities. These results suggested that the community structure and diversity of soil fauna in desertified alpine grasslands were sensitive to ecological restoration treatments, with the soil nematode communities being more sensitive than soil arthropods. The responses of nematodes and arthropods were influenced by desertification degree of alpine grasslands.

Key words: mountain landscape, urban heat island, three-dimensional pattern, complex terrain, air pollution, urban landscape