Soil changes during grassland degradation

Soil changes during alpine grassland degradation should be monitored as they affect the ecosystem. In the degraded alpine grassland, the surface soil layer gradually disappears causing bare land. This chapter describes the disappearance of the surface soil layer during grassland degradation and discusses: (1) soil texture and erosion; (2) changes in soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus contents; and (3) modeling grassland degradation and construction of a soil change index system. Evaluation of soil quality indicators during degradation requires a comprehensive approach, integrating different potential indicators with their contributions to soil quality or degradation. In addition to soil physicochemical properties, soil organisms deserve more attention. The selection of appropriate indicators and methods to study soil degradation and restoration of alpine grassland should be the focus of future research.