Changes in abundance and diversity of microarthropods associated with fescue prairie grazing regimes
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Authors: M. J. Clapperton, D. A. Kanashiro, and V. M. Behan-Pelletier
Date: 2002
Journal: Pedobiologia
Volume: 46
Number:
Pages: 496-511
Summary of Methods: Clapperton et al. examined the effects of varying levels of cattle grazing on the distribution of soil microarthropods in the rough fescue prairies of Alberta. They looked at the response of invertebrates in the severely and lightly grazed pastures, as well as the grazing exclosure. Overall, the study showed that there was significantly more microarthropod families found in the soil of the exclosure (Ex) and the lightly grazed (L) pasture than found in the heavily grazed pasture. Oribatida mites were most frequent in the L and Ex due to the increase in litter, which lowered soil temperature in the summer and aided in decomposition. Prostigmatids were more abundant in the heavy sites because the species is known to be disturbance tolerant and is not affected by the increase in soil temperature and compacted soil. Clapperton et al. found that there is a positive correlation between reduced soil disturbance, increased productivity under light cattle grazing and the abundance and diversity of soil microarthropods.
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: livestock grazing, acari, oribatida, prostigmata, soil mites diversity, grassland
Annotation: The recommended stocking rate for rough fescue range in the area is 1.6 AUM/ha. The light treatment was stocked at 1.2 at AUM/ha, moderate treatment at 1.6 AUM/ha, heavy treatment at 2.4 AUM/ha and the severe treatment at 4.8 AUM/ha.
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