The effects of herbivory on vegetation on islands in Atchafalaya Bay, Louisiana
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Authors: D. A. Fuller, C. E. Sasser, W. B. Johnson, and J. G. Gosselink
Date: 1985
Journal: Wetlands
Volume: 4
Number:
Pages: 105-114
Summary of Methods: The impacts of nutria and muskrat herbivory on vegetation characteristics were investigated in a Sagittaria marsh on Log Island in Atchafalaya Bay, Louisiana (29° 25' N, 91° 25' W). A longitudinal transect with ten, 1 m2 exclosures was established in March 1980 and 1981. This was paired with a similar transect that had control plots open to grazing. Vegetation from all plots was harvested in the fall of each year. Stem density, species composition, and wet and dry biomass were measured at that time.
Article Summary / Main Points: Observations during the study revealed that vegetation was eight to ten cm taller in the exclosure and grazing had occurred on the open plots. Sagittaria latifolia was the dominant plant at the site. Total live and dead biomass were greater in the exclosed plots for both years, while there was no difference in stem density between the grazed and ungrazed plots. The production level of S. latifolia and Ammania coccinea was the reason for the difference in biomass as they were the only species that had greater biomass in the exclosures.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 151 Gulf Coast Marsh
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: nutria, myocastor coypus, muskrat, ondatra zibethicus, sagittaria latifolia, salix nigra, typha latifolia, cyperus difformis, eleocharis spp., ammania coccinea, sphenoclea zeylandica, louisiana, plant biomass, herbivory, species composition
Annotation: The findings of this study could be applicable to other gulf coast marshes dominated by Sagittaria and are influenced by herbivory. The presence of waterfowl herbivory was mentioned in this study but not measured and it could have been an important aspect of the ecosystem.
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