Effects of removal of pocket gophers on Texas costal prairie
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Authors: L. R. Williams, and G. N. Cameron
Date: 1986
Journal: American Midland Naturalist
Volume: 115
Number: 2
Pages: 216-224
Summary of Methods: Pocket gophers (Geomys attwateri) were excluded from exclosures for 30 months, in order to compare vegetative data from a control plot (gophers not excluded). Removal of gophers had no effect on plant species composition or richness. For most plant species, frequency, cover, and biomass increased when gophers were excluded. Only one grass species (Paspalum) had significantly more biomass within the exclosure. Belowground biomass of perennial monocotyledons was significantly lower in the control, due to continued consumption by gophers. Aboveground biomass of perennial forbs was significantly greater in the control, probably as a result of the decreased competitive abilities of perennial monocotyledons in the presence of gophers.
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: pocket gopher (geomys attwateri), plant species composition, richness, plant biomass, plant cover, plant frequency
Annotation: None
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