Livestock exclusion increases the spatial heterogeneity of vegetation in Colorado shortgrass steppe
-
-
Authors: P. B. Adler, and W. K. Lauenroth
Date: 2000
Journal: Applied Vegetation Science
Volume: 3
Number: 2
Pages: 213-232
Summary of Methods: The effects of long-term protection from moderate cattle grazing on the abundance and spatial heterogeneity of the dominant plant species within a shortgrass steppe was investigated on the Central Plains Experimental Range (40° 49' N; 107° 47' W) in northeast Colorado. Canopy cover, density, litter, bareground, soil texture, and small mammal activity were recorded on eight paired plots of moderately grazed pastures and long-term (60 year) and short-term (8 years) ungrazed exclosures were recorded.
Article Summary / Main Points:
•Percent cover of Bouteloua gracilis and bareground were significantly higher in grazed plots compared to ungrazed plots.
• B. gracilis cover was lower in sites under long-term protection while grazed and short-term protection sites were found to be similar in cover.
• Ungrazed plots exhibited higher densities and cover of litter from Agropyron smithii individuals compared to grazed plots.
• Ungrazed exclosures exhibited greater spatial heterogeneity than grazed plots.
• Grazing increased randomness of spatial structure of ungrazed vegetation by having a direct influence on fine scale patterns of soil characteristics.
• Patchy-disturbances created by rodent activity were more common in ungrazed plots; however, analysis showed that grazing had no significant effect on rodent activity.Vegetation Types: Shortgrass Prairie
MLRA Ecoregions: 67B Central High Plains, Southern Part
Agrovoc Control Words: Bouteloua gracilis Grazing Plant competition
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: disturbance, grazing, moran's i, plant competition, spatial dependence, bunchgrasses, bouteloua gracilis, buchloe dactyloides, agropyron smithii, stipa comata, aristida longiseta, sitanion hystrix
Annotation: This study illustrated that grazing has a significant impact on soil spatial heterogeneity that directly affects vegetation spatial composition and patchiness. Though herbaceous vegetation and adjacent soil textures examined, little consideration was given to the influence of livestock urine and fecal deposition on soil chemistry and resulting impacts on vegetation dynamics. Also, the effects of stocking rates, grazing patterns and behavior on a shortgrass steppe were given little attention.
-
Get article
Cite article with DOI
-