Effects of grazing by feral horses, clipping, trampling, and burning on a Georgia salt marsh
-
-
Authors: M. G. Turner
Date: 1987
Journal: Estuaries and Coasts
Volume: 10
Number: 1
Pages: 56-62
Summary of Methods: Plant production, rhizome biomass and macroorganic matter were measured in a Georgia salt marsh exposed to natural feral horse (Equus caballus) grazing, moderate clipping, trampling, and moderate clipping and trampling combined. Clipping did not accurately simulate feral horse herbivory. In general natural horse herbivory was less detrimental than the clipping alone, trampling alone, and the combined clipping and trampling treatments that were applied. Net annual primary production was enhanced by clipping, decreased slightly by natural grazing and trampling, and greatly decreased by the clipping and trampling combined treatment, suggesting that trampling may be more detrimental to plant production than the removal of aboveground biomass. Based on the results of this study the author suggests that trampling damage, due to heavy grazing, may lead to reduced plant production and increased rates of erosion in this Georgia salt marsh.
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: smooth cordgrass, spartina alterniflora, feral horses, equus caballus, plant production, above-ground biomass, exclosures, simulated herbivory
Annotation: Replicated plots were sampled bi-monthly from July 1983 to November 1984.,Moderate and height intensities of horse grazing were studied. Clipping was done bi-monthly starting in July with a weed trimmer that cut the grass to a height of 10 to 15 cm, simulating a moderate intensity of horse grazing. Trampling was simulating bi-weekly for the duration of the study.
-
Direct link not available.
-