Linking grazing-induced changes in plant biodiversity to rangeland ecosystem function

CHANETON, E.J.

Rosario

Congreso; IX International Rangeland Congress; 2011

INTA y Society for Range Management

I summarise evidence for grazing-induced changes in functional attributes of rangeland ecosystems mediated by changes in plant biodiversity. I concentrate on the role of plant functional groups and exotic invasive species as drivers of grassland productivity, nutrient cycling, and community stability. In doing so, Idraw from work conducted in natural grasslands of the Flooding Pampa, Argentina, a system extensively devoted to cattle grazing that has undergone large-scale alien plant invasions. My thesis is that, although invasion by exotic species arguably followed widespread human disturbances, and in this sense exotics originally acted as “passengers” of ecosystem change, at present, exotic invaders play a significant role as “drivers” of rangeland functioning.