INVESTIGADORES
TADEY Mariana
artículos
Título:
Grazing without grasses: Effects of introduced livestock on plant community composition in an arid environment in northern Patagonia
Autor/es:
TADEY, M
Revista:
APPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE
Editorial:
Opulus Press Uppsala
Referencias:
Año: 2006 vol. 9 p. 109 - 116
ISSN:
1402-2001
Resumen:
Abstract
Question: How does grazing intensity affect plant density,
cover and species richness in an Patagonian arid ecosystem?
cover and species richness in an Patagonian arid ecosystem?
How does grazing intensity affect plant density,
cover and species richness in an Patagonian arid ecosystem?
Location: Monte steppe ecoregion, SW Argentina.Monte steppe ecoregion, SW Argentina.
Methods: I analysed the effect of grazing on plant density,
cover and species richness using a stocking rate gradient
within the same habitat. Six paddocks were used with stocking
rates ranging between 0.002 - 0.038 livestock/ha. Plant density,
species richness, plant cover and percentage of grazed
branches were determined by sampling plots within each
paddock. The percentage of grazed branches was used as an
independent measurement of grazing intensity.
cover and species richness using a stocking rate gradient
within the same habitat. Six paddocks were used with stocking
rates ranging between 0.002 - 0.038 livestock/ha. Plant density,
species richness, plant cover and percentage of grazed
branches were determined by sampling plots within each
paddock. The percentage of grazed branches was used as an
independent measurement of grazing intensity.
: I analysed the effect of grazing on plant density,
cover and species richness using a stocking rate gradient
within the same habitat. Six paddocks were used with stocking
rates ranging between 0.002 - 0.038 livestock/ha. Plant density,
species richness, plant cover and percentage of grazed
branches were determined by sampling plots within each
paddock. The percentage of grazed branches was used as an
independent measurement of grazing intensity.
Results: Higher stocking rates were related to lower plant
density, species richness and plant cover. The paddock with
the lowest grazing intensity had 86% more plants per unit area,
63% more plant cover and 48% higher species richness. The
percentage of grazed branches and the quantity of dung increased
with stocking rate.
density, species richness and plant cover. The paddock with
the lowest grazing intensity had 86% more plants per unit area,
63% more plant cover and 48% higher species richness. The
percentage of grazed branches and the quantity of dung increased
with stocking rate.
: Higher stocking rates were related to lower plant
density, species richness and plant cover. The paddock with
the lowest grazing intensity had 86% more plants per unit area,
63% more plant cover and 48% higher species richness. The
percentage of grazed branches and the quantity of dung increased
with stocking rate.
Conclusions: Introduced livestock seriously affect native vegetation
in the Patagonian Monte. The damage observed in this
xerophytic plant community suggests that plant adaptations to
aridity do not provide an advantage to tolerate or avoid grazing
by vertebrate herbivores in this region. Plant degradation in this
arid environment is comparable to the degradation found in
more humid ecosystems.
in the Patagonian Monte. The damage observed in this
xerophytic plant community suggests that plant adaptations to
aridity do not provide an advantage to tolerate or avoid grazing
by vertebrate herbivores in this region. Plant degradation in this
arid environment is comparable to the degradation found in
more humid ecosystems.
: Introduced livestock seriously affect native vegetation
in the Patagonian Monte. The damage observed in this
xerophytic plant community suggests that plant adaptations to
aridity do not provide an advantage to tolerate or avoid grazing
by vertebrate herbivores in this region. Plant degradation in this
arid environment is comparable to the degradation found in
more humid ecosystems.