When does grazing benefit plants?
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Authors: H. J. Verkaar
Date: 1986
Journal: Trends in Ecology and Evolution
Volume: 1
Number: 6
Pages: 168-169
Summary of Methods: Many recent studies have attempted to support the hypothesis that grazing can have positive effects on plant growth and fitness. However, recent work has shown that many of these studies suffer from poor experimental design, and consequently that the hypothesis may only be tenable under very particular circumstances. Verkaar agrees with Belsky's (1986) conclusion that although herbivores may benefit certain plants by reducing competition or removing senescent tissue, there is still no convincing evidence to support the hypothesis that herbivory generally benefits plants.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Scientific Synthesis
Keywords: grazing, plant growth, plant fitness, herbivory, overcompensation
Annotation: Region, vegetation type, grazing intensity and season of use are not listed.
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