The meadow ecosystems of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau,the largest rangeland in China,has been degrading recently due to over-exploitation and natural hazards which has resulted in a decreased carrying capacity and vegetation coverage.A field experiment was designed to test the effects of four treatments (density,fertilization,clipping,and species mixture) on the performance of an artificial meadow to reduce degradation caused by heavy grazing pressure.The results showed that species mixture was the best treatment to increase meadow productivity and community stability.There was a 28% increase in target species yields in a two species mixture compared with a monoculture and a 103% increase in a three species mixture.Fertilization yielded a 63% increase in the target species yield and a 54% increase in weed yield,but decreased weed abundance.Clipping had an adverse effect on meadow productivity and weed growth (abundance and yield).It decreased the target species yield by 46% relative to no clipping and decreased the weed yield by 6%.A three-way ANOVA showed that the three species mixture was the optimal method for establishing a cultivated meadow.Clipping had no significant effect on the meadow yield but significantly decreased the weed abundance.The three species mixture not only had a high yield but also a high ability to resist weed growth and was the best choice for developing stock breeds and enhancing vegetation cover thereby providing benefits for both local economic development and environmental protection.