IANIGLA   20881
INSTITUTO ARGENTINO DE NIVOLOGIA, GLACIOLOGIA Y CIENCIAS AMBIENTALES
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Vegetation heterogeneity in Monte Desert ecosystems: A multi-scale approach linking patterns and processes.
Autor/es:
BISIGATO, A.; VILLAGRA, P.E.; ARES, J.; ROSSI, B.E.
Revista:
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
Editorial:
Elsevier
Referencias:
Año: 2008
ISSN:
0140-1963
Resumen:
We review the current state of research on vegetation heterogeneity in the Monte Desert at scales
varying from landscape to intra-patch. Different factors are related to vegetation heterogeneity at every
scale. At a coarse scale (i.e. landscapes and communities) vegetation heterogeneity is commonly
determined by abiotic factors, whereas biotic interactions usually influence fine scale (patch, intrapatch)
heterogeneity. Communities are distributed at the landscape scale according to differences in precipitation,
topography and soil attributes. On the other hand, there is evidence that the spatial pattern of
plant patches within communities is determined by runon runoff processes, although biotic influences
such as grazing can induce changes in the spatial pattern of patches when plant cover is strongly
reduced. In the same way, at patch and intrapatch scales, biotic interactions (i.e. plant plant interactions,
grazing) determine the size and the species composition of plant patches as well as the distribution of
species inside plant patches. However, the mechanisms operating behind such biotic interactions at
small scales are commonly related to plant-induced changes in the physical environment. We also found
evidence of cross-scale interactions, feedbacks, and non-linear effects such as those induced by grazing
disturbance. Our analysis showed some regional differences in patterns and processes related to vegetation
heterogeneity along the Monte Desert which can be ascribed to climatic and taxonomic variation
among areas. Although information about vegetation heterogeneity and its causes and consequences in
the Monte Desert is abundant, some areas where knowledge is scarce are detailed.