Restoration of riparian meadows degraded by livestock grazing: Above- and belowground responses
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Authors: D. Martin, and J. Chambers
Date: 2002
Journal: Plant Ecology
Volume: 163
Number: 1
Pages: 77-91
Summary of Methods: Corral Canyon (39° 7' 13.5" N, 116° 48' 38.6" W), Cahill Canyon (39° 27' 57.6" N, 117° 2' 0.4" W) and Emigrant Canyon (39° 30' 35.4" N, 117° 1' 5.9" W) in the Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest of Nevada were used to examine the functional responses and restoration potential of mesic meadows, dominated by Nebraska sedge and Kentucky bluegrass, that had been degraded by livestock grazing. Eight treatments were examined including: nitrogen addition, clipping, aeration, vegetation, clipping, clipping+nitrogen, clipping+aeration, and clipping+vegetation. Belowground response was determined by gravimetric soil water content, rooting depth and activity whereas aboveground response by quantifying gas exchange and water relations. Measurements were conducted once monthly from May through August. Soil characters (i.e., bulk density, soil moisture, and infiltration) of each site were evaluated at the time of plot establishment.
Article Summary / Main Points: Seasonal and yearly differences among water tables largely influenced the rooting activity and depth in all three mesic meadow sites and also influenced treatment responses. As water tables declined over the growing season there was an increase in maximum depth of new roots and root activity; and rooting activity within or at the water table surface was lower. Rooting activity and depth decreased with the addition of nitrogen with or without clipping. Photosynthetic rates were higher for Nebraska sedge and Kentucky bluegrass when nitrogen was applied to plots. Bluegrass had higher photosynthetic rates with August clipping. Aeration alone did not affect rooting activity but when aerated plots were clipped, rooting activity and depth increased. Water potential was less in aerated plots. The domination of revegetation plots by annual and early seral species reduced rooting activity and depth early in the growing season. Results suggest that clipping, nitrogen and revegetation have a limited effect on restoration and recovery of grazed riparian meadows. Aeration caused the greatest plant response overcoming the negative effects of overgrazing and therefore can be an effective restoration treatment in mesic meadows.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 28B Central Nevada Basin And Range
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Grazing Restoration
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: carex nebrascensis, gas exchange, poa pratensis, restoration, riparian, rooting activity, water relations
Annotation: These findings can be used for restoration of mesic graminiod ecosystems that occur along the continuum of high to low water tables. Always keep in mind water table had a large effect on the results of this study. The long-term effects of restoration still need to be explored as this is only a 2 year study.
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