The effects of vertebrate herbivory on plant community structure in the coastal marshes of the Pearl River, Louisiana, USA
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Authors: K. L. Taylor, and J. B. Grace
Date: 1995
Journal: Wetlands
Volume: 15
Number: 1
Pages: 68-73
Summary of Methods: The impacts of nutria (Myocastor coypus) herbivory using two treatments (grazed and ungrazed) were studied along the Mississippi and Louisiana border using plots in three different marsh communities (fresh, oligohaline and mesohaline) along an elevational and salinity gradient. Each plot was maintained and monitored over two growing seasons. All of the aboveground biomass in each of the plots was clipped and total biomass of all species and species richness were recorded at the completion of the second year of the study.
Article Summary / Main Points: Nutria herbivory equally reduced biomass by about 30% on grazed sites across all three communities. Total biomass of Panicum virgatum and Aster subulatus in the freshwater community was less on unprotected plots than protected plots; while Panicum virgatum and Vigna luteola production increased on grazed plots when compared to ungrazed plots in the oligohaline community. Herbivory did not affect production for any species in the mesohaline community. Species richness was not affected by herbivory in any community.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 151 Gulf Coast Marsh 152A Eastern Gulf Coast Flatwoods
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Herbivory Plant Production
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: coastal marsh, freshwater marsh, herbivory, mesohaline marsh, myocastor coypus, nutria, oligohaline marsh, panicum, spartina
Annotation: This was a replicated study over two years with treatment-by-site interactions examined, therefore making the findings from this split plot study and its findings applicable to almost all types of coastal marshes, freshwater marshes and wetlands. It is possible to make generalizations about nutria hebivory and marsh grass communities due to the duration of the study. Additionally, Taylor et al. (1994, Wetlands 14:82-87) studied the interactive effects of fire and herbivory on a southern oligohaline marsh and Taylor et al. (1997, Amer. J. Botany 84:709-715) nutria herbivory on neighbor competition between dominant coastal marsh grasses; also available on the RSIS website.
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