The interactive effects of fire and herbivory on a coastal marsh in Louisiana
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Authors: M. A. Ford, and J. B. Grace
Date: 1998
Journal: Wetlands
Volume: 18
Number: 1
Pages: 1-8
Summary of Methods: The interaction of nutria herbivory with fire was investigated on three types of marshes along the Pearl River basin in Gulf Coast of Louisiana. In each marsh, two, 10 m² plots were established in Spartina patens, Sagittaria lancifolia, and Panicum virgatum dominated marshes. One plot was burned in the fall before sampling, while the other remained unburned. Inside each plot, two m2 subplots were established with one plot fenced to exclude nutria grazing while the other plot was unfenced. Plots were set up in the fall and sampled at that time and the next two falls. Cover and species density were measured on all plots prior to burning. Following sampling, burned plots were reburned. In the fall following both burning treatments, cover was measured and biomass was harvested.
Article Summary / Main Points: Burning reduced biomass in all types of marshes, while protection from grazing increased biomass over grazed plots. Burning and no grazing increased species density in all three types of marshes. In the Sagittaria and Panicum marshes, Sagittaria cover was reduced by burning more than the other plant species. It was also the plant species least affected by herbivory. However, these effects did not hold true in the Spartina marsh due possibly to more herbivory which made it difficult to burn.
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: fire, herbivory, coastal marsh, species density, plant cover, plant biomass, nutria
Annotation: This study applies primarily to Gulf Coast marshes with Spartina patens, Sagittaria lancifolia, and Panicum virgatum vegetation with populations for nutria. The inconclusive results concerning the differences between Sagittaria and Panicum marshes and Spartina marshes should be further investigated before incorporating into a management plan.
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