Grazing and substrate interact to affect native vs. exotic diversity in roadside grasslands
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Authors: H. D. Safford, and S. P. Harrison
Date: 2001
Journal: Ecological Applications
Volume: 11
Number: 4
Pages: 1112-1122
Summary of Methods: This short term study in California examined the vegetative cover of ungrazed roadside verges to adjacent grazed pastures in the inner northern coastal range (38° 40' N; 122° 25'W). Paired plots (grazed vs. ungrazed) were selected across two soil types (serpentine vs. non serpentine) with percent cover and height of all native and exotic plants. Site characteristics and cover of rock, litter, burrowing, overstory and bare ground were also recorded.
Article Summary / Main Points: Total species richness was higher on grazed sites than ungrazed sites and higher on serpentine sites than nonserpentine sites. Native species presence was not different between grazed and ungrazed plots though they were prevalent on serpentine soils than nonserpentine sites. Serpentine, ungrazed sites had a lower percentage of natives than grazed sites. While on nonserpentine soils the reverse was true with more natives present on ungrazed than grazed sites.
Vegetation Types: California Grasslands (including all annual grasslands) Oak Woodlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 15 Central California Coast Range
Agrovoc Control Words: Weeds Rangelands Grazing
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: exotic plants, species richness, roadside vegetation, serpentine grassland, soil comparison, plant biomass, species richness
Annotation: Specific grazing intensity and season of use were not documented in the paper. This study has limited applicability to the Rocky Mountain Region.
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