Effect of chicken litter on grassland productivity and environmental quality in a sandland ecosystem

Replacing mammals with birds has been tested successful in restoring degraded grassland ecosystem towards sustainable management. We pre-tested the effects of chicken litter (CL) on grassland productivity and soil quality in order to carry out free range chicken income generation practice in large areas. The amounts of 25 g m−2 and 50 g m−2 of CL, equaling 30 m2 per chick and 60 m2 per chick, were applied on Leymus chinensis (L. chinensis) communities at Hunshandak sandland, Inner Mongolia, China. Besides, urea was applied at same rate as comparison. The above ground production was increased to 107% and 148% by CL applied at 25 g m−2 and 50 g m−2 respectively but underground biomass was reduced to 64% and 68% by CL applied at 25 g m−2 and 50 g m−2, contributing to the reduction of total biomass and R/S ratio. L. chinensis production was enhanced by CL, with higher nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) being achieved than that of urea. N and P uptake in L. chinensis elevated to 202% and 280% respectively by CL; the N concentration was reduced to 87% on average. Nevertheless, CL’s favoring L. chinensis (p = 0.026) rendered potential question on biodiversity, calling for further study and cautious management to sustain ecosystem stability. CL amended soil showed better physical quality including lower soil bulk density, more soil moisture and soil organic matter. Besides, soil treated by CL was more resistant to nutrient leaching. Our results showed that CL benefited the production and soil quality of grassland ecosystem, with little side effect on its structure and function.