Old-field grassland successional dynamics following cessation of chronic disturbance
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Authors: S. J. Tunnell, D. M. Engle, and E. E. Jorgensen
Date: 2004
Journal: Journal of Vegetation Science
Volume: 15
Number: 3
Pages: 431-436
Summary of Methods: This three-year study in Oklahoma sought to describe vegetation dynamics in an old-growth grassland released from heavy grazing, dominated by warm-season grasses, and invaded by Festuca, and to investigate the effects of low-level nitrogen enrichment and small mammal herbivory manipulations. Succession was altered by an increase in abundance of Festuca over the 3-year study period. Species richness did not decline with litter accumulation. Festuca increased most on species-poor plots, and Festuca abundance remained low on species-rich plots. The potential consequences of Festuca invasion in the southern grassland region dominated by native warm-season grasses are striking given these grasslands, unlike their more northern counterparts, have not yet experienced significant invasion by cool-season grass species.
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: festuca arundinacea, heavy grazing, redundancy analysis (rda), species richness
Annotation: None
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