Influences of land use history and short-term nitrogen addition on community structure in temperate grasslands

► Land use history had a dominant role in structuring plant community. ► Previous farming reduced species diversity and plant cover, which is mainly caused by decrease in perennial grasses and forbs. ► Nitrogen addition increased plant cover, especially the cover of perennial grasses. ► Shot-term nitrogen enrichment has a tendency to alter community composition and enhance the dominance of perennial grasses.