Survival of perennial grass seedlings under intensive management in semi-arid rangelands
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Authors: D. O. Salihi, and B. E. Norton
Date: 1987
Journal: Journal of Applied Ecology
Volume: 24
Number: 1
Pages: 145-151
Summary of Methods: In this study, short duration grazing practices significantly reduced the survival of crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum) seedlings in Utah pastures. Seedlings survival was similar in grazed and ungrazed treatments prior to grazing events and seedling survival in grazed treatments declined after both three-day grazing events, however, the decline was more pronounced after the second grazing event later in the growing season. Survival of plants in grazed treatments was still lower ten months after the last grazing event, suggesting that livestock grazing has lasting effects on seedling survival. Most plant mortality in grazed treatments was caused by trampling of seedlings rather than seedling consumption, and trampling mortality of seedlings was similar across the landscape. Seedlings in close proximity to older grass plants did not have greater survival rates than plants in interspaces.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: short-duration grazing, trampling, crested wheatgrass, agropyron desertorum, high-intensity grazing, maximum likelihood analysis
Annotation: 8.5 ha pastures were grazed by 90 heifers for two, three-day grazing periods, in late May and late June. Data collection started on April 30, 1984 and continued at 3-day intervals until July 28, 1984.
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