Climate change and the effect on the biomass growth in steppe communities in Kherlon River Basin, Northern China

Analyzing daily air temperature and precipitation observed during 48 years from 1958, we quantified changes in temperature and precipitation with year in Kherlon River Basin of semiarid northern China. In addition, the relationship between the dry biomass measured 23 years from 1983 at a grassland and the corresponding temperature accumulated for higher temperature than 5 °C (AET) and precipitation accumulated after 1 April (CP) was determined. It was estimated that the annual mean air temperatures during non-growing season (October to April) and growing season (May to September) had significantly risen during 50 years from 1958 by 2.38 °C and 1.83 °C, respectively. The year-to-year variation in the annual mean air temperature had a tendency to increase with year during the 48 years. Changes in annual precipitation and precipitation days for any of the entire year (January to December), growing and non-growing seasons with year were not significantly observed. Both the AET and CP (especially CP) during the growing season affected the biomass growth in the semiarid grassland. Prediction of seasonal changes in meteorological tendency as well as that of climate change is important to maintain the production in semiarid grassland and to conserve the plant community and landscape.