Using fire to manage species composition in Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) pastures. 1. Burning regimes

1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 795 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Orr ◽  
C. J. Paton ◽  
A. T. Lisle
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus ◽  
Grazed Pastures ◽  
Pasture Degradation ◽  
Stocking Rates

A reduction in the proportion of the desirable grass Heteropogon contortus(black speargrass) and an increase in the undesirable Aristidaspp . (wiregrasses) are evident in commercially grazed pastures. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of spring burning regimes over a period of 4 years (1989-92) in reversing this form of pasture degradation. Burning increased the proportion of H. contortus when pastures remained ungrazed but not when pastures were grazed, because cattle selectively grazed H. contortus after burning. Burning reduced the proportion of Aristida spp and other undesirable grasses such as Bothriochloa decipiens and Chloris divaricata. A strong ‘year of burning’ effect was evident. Burning increased recruitment of H. contortus which, in turn, increased plant density and later basal area. Burning reduced the basal area of Aristida spp initially by reducing tussock size and later by reducing tussock numbers. Results indicate that spring burning can restore pasture composition and that burning in at least 2 successive years appears to be necessary. Light stocking rates should be adopted so that the proportion of H. contortuscan be maintained and so that pastures can be burnt when and if required.

Impacts of grazing management options on pasture and animal productivity in a Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) pasture in central Queensland. 3. Diet composition in autumn

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 276 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Hendricksen ◽  
D. J. Myles ◽  
D. J. Reid ◽  
D. M. Orr
Keyword(s):  
Diet Composition ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus ◽  
Native Pasture ◽  
Stylosanthes Scabra ◽  
Animal Diet ◽  
Palatable Species ◽  
Stocking Rates

The diet selected in autumn by steers fistulated at the oesophageous was studied in a subset of treatments in an extensive grazing study conducted in a Heteropogon contortus pasture in central Queensland between 1988 and 2001. These treatments were a factorial array of three stocking rates (4, 3 and 2 ha/steer) and three pasture types (native pasture, legume-oversown native pasture and animal diet supplement/spring-burning native pasture). Seasonal rainfall throughout this study was below the long-term mean and mean annual pasture utilisation ranged from 30 to 61%. Steers consistently selected H. contortus with levels decreasing from 47 to 18% of the diet as stocking rate increased from 4 ha/steer to 2 ha/steer. Stylosanthes scabra cv. Seca was always selected in legume-oversown pastures with diet composition varying from 35 to 66% despite its plant density increasing from 7 to 65 plants/m2 and pasture composition from 20 to 50%. Steers also selected a diet containing Chrysopogon fallax, forbs and sedges in higher proportions than they were present in the pasture. Greater availability of the intermediate grasses Chloris divaricata and Eragrostis spp. was associated with increased stocking rates. Bothriochloa bladhii was seldom selected in the diet, especially when other palatable species were present in the pasture, despite B. bladhii often being the major contributor to total pasture yield. It was concluded that a stocking rate of 4 ha/steer will maintain the availability of H. contortus in the pasture.

Impacts of grazing management options on pasture and animal productivity in a Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) pasture in central Queensland. 2. Population dynamics of Heteropogon contortus and Stylosanthes scabra cv. Seca

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 255 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Orr ◽  
M. C. Yee ◽  
M. T. Rutherford ◽  
C. J. Paton
Keyword(s):  
Plant Density ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Population Data ◽  
Lag Phase ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus ◽  
Native Pasture ◽  
Stylosanthes Scabra ◽  
Stocking Rates

The dynamics of Heteropogon contortus and Stylosanthes scabra cv. Seca populations were studied in a subset of treatments in an extensive grazing study conducted in central Queensland between 1988 and 2001. These treatments were 4 stocking rates in native pasture and 2 of these stocking rates in legume oversown and supplement/spring burning treatments. For the 1999–2000 summer, population data for H. contortus in 5 of these native pasture and supplement/burning treatments were compared with those for an additional burnt treatment. Seasonal rainfall throughout this study was below the long-term mean and mean annual pasture utilisation ranged from 24 to 61%. Increasing stocking rate from 5 to 2 ha/steer in native pasture reduced H. contortus plant density. Increasing stocking rate reduced seedling recruitment as a result of its effect on soil seedbanks. Seedling recruitment was the major determinant of change in plant density, although some individual H. contortus plants did survive throughout the study. Burning in spring 1999, particularly at light stocking rate, promoted seedling recruitment above that in both unburnt native and legume oversown pasture and resulted in increased H. contortus plant density. In the legume oversown treatments, S. scabra cv. Seca density increased rapidly from 15 plants/m2 in 1988 to 140 plants/m2 in 2001 following a lag phase between 1988 and 1993. This increased S. scabra density was associated with an eventual decline in H. contortus plant density through reduced seedling recruitment. It was concluded that H. contortus population density is sustainable at stocking rates of 4 and 5 ha/steer (30% pasture utilisation) and that spring burning at light stocking rate can promote H. contortus populations. Increasing densities of S. scabra need to be managed to prevent its dominance.

Floristic composition and pasture condition of Aristida/Bothriochloa pastures in central Queensland. II. Soil and pasture condition interactions

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 217
Author(s):  
R. G. Silcock ◽  
T. J. Hall ◽  
P. G. Filet ◽  
A. M. Kelly ◽  
D. Osten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Type ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Surface Condition ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Themeda Triandra ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus

Sustainable management of native pastures requires an understanding of what the bounds of pasture composition, cover and soil surface condition are for healthy pastoral landscapes to persist. A survey of 107 Aristida/Bothriochloa pasture sites in inland central Queensland was conducted. The sites were chosen for their current diversity of tree cover, apparent pasture condition and soil type to assist in setting more objective bounds on condition ‘states’ in such pastures. Assessors’ estimates of pasture condition were strongly correlated with herbage mass (r = 0.57) and projected ground cover (r = 0. 58), and moderately correlated with pasture crown cover (r = 0.35) and tree basal area (r = 0.32). Pasture condition was not correlated with pasture plant density or the frequency of simple guilds of pasture species. The soil type of Aristida/Bothriochloa pasture communities was generally hard-setting, low in cryptogam cover but moderately covered with litter and projected ground cover (30–50%). There was no correlation between projected ground cover of pasture and estimated ground-level cover of plant crowns. Tree basal area was correlated with broad categories of soil type, probably because greater tree clearing has occurred on the more fertile, heavy-textured clay soils. Of the main perennial grasses, some showed strong soil preferences, for example Tripogon loliiformis for hard-setting soils and Dichanthium sericeum for clays. Common species, such as Chrysopogon fallax and Heteropogon contortus, had no strong soil preference. Wiregrasses (Aristida spp.) tended to be uncommon at both ends of the estimated pasture condition scale whereas H. contortus was far more common in pastures in good condition. Sedges (Cyperaceae) were common on all soil types and for all pasture condition ratings. Plants identified as increaser species were Tragus australianus, daisies (Asteraceae) and potentially toxic herbaceous legumes such as Indigofera spp. and Crotalaria spp. Pasture condition could not be reliably predicted based on the abundance of a single species or taxon but there may be scope for using integrated data for four to five ecologically contrasting plants such as Themeda triandra with daisies, T. loliiformis and flannel weeds (Malvaceae).

Monitoring natural stand change in the forest reserve of Liedekerke, Flanders (Belgium)

1999 ◽  
Vol 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Van den Meersschaut ◽  
B. De Cuyper ◽  
K. Vandekerkhove ◽  
N. Lust
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Castanea Sativa ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Alnus Glutinosa ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Stem Number ◽  
Mature Trees ◽  
Forest Reserve ◽  
Natural Stand ◽  
Sweet Chestnut

Natural  stand changes in the forest reserve of Liedekerke were analysed during the  period    1986-1996, using a permanent grid of circular plots. The monitoring  concentrated on natural    changes in species composition, using stem number and basal area as  indicators, and changes    in spatial distribution and colonization capacities of trees and shrubs,  with special interest in the    competition between exotic and indigenous species. After only a decade of  monitoring important    natural changes in the woody layer were detected. The pioneer forest is  gradually maturing    through self-thinning processes and shifts in species composition. The  overall stem number    decreased with 33.6%, while the basal area increased with 20.9%. Birch (Betula pendula/    pubescens) and indigenous oak (Quercus robur/petraea) remained  dominant. More tolerant    exotic species, like red oak (Quercus rubra) and sweet chestnut (Castanea  sativa), are slowly    increasing their share in the species composition and expanding their  range. Pioneer species on    the other hand, like aspen (Populus tremula), willow (Salix  capreaicinerealaurita), alder buckthorn    (Frangula alnus) and  common (Alnus glutinosa)  and grey alder (A. incana),  strongly declined.    Black cherry (Prunus serotina) seems to be slowly invading the forest due to its  massive    natural regeneration. Strong competition may be expected especially from  rowan ash (Sorbus    aucuparia), which showed similar regeneration  and colonization capacities. Elder (Sambucus    nigra) dramatically extented its range, though  its share remains marginal. Beech remained absent    most probably due to the lack of mature trees in the vacinity of the  forest. Finally this    change detection allowed that general predictions could be made on the  future natural development    and composition of this forest reserve, which could serve forest management  decisions.

Beef production from native pastures sown to fine-stem stylo in the Burnett region of south-eastern Queensland

1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (97) ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
EJ Bowen ◽  
KG Rickert
Keyword(s):  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Management Options ◽  
North West ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
Stocking Rates

At Gayndah, south-eastern Queensland, a native Heteropogon contortus pasture, sown to fine-stem stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis var. intermedia), and invaded by red natal grass (Rhynchelytrum repens), was grazed by weaner steers from June 1 in three treatments : heavy and light put-and-take grazing for five years from 1971, and set-stocked at 1.37 animals ha-1 for two years from 1974. Weight gains in the put-and-take treatments were not significantly different. The mean annual liveweight gain was 167 kg animal-1 at a mean equivalent stocking rate of 1.47 animals ha-1. Over the same period unsown native pasture, cleared of timber, gave a gain of 62 kg animal-1 at 0.62 animals ha-1. In all seasons except summer, weight gains declined linearly with stocking rate and in 1972-73, with a mean equivalent stocking rate of 2.66 animals ha-1, the annual gain was almost halved. When equivalent stocking rates were 0.9, 0.9, 1.8 and 1.2 animals ha-1 in winter, spring, summer and autumn, the respective gains were 4, 73, 65 and 45 kg animal-1. The set-stocked treatment had a mean annual gain of 147 kg animal-1. At another site 116 km north-west of Gayndah, two paddocks of Heteropogon contortus and fine-stem stylo were set-stocked with weaners over four years. One paddock had four applications of superphosphate of 250 kg ha-1. The mean annual liveweight gains were significantly different, being 154 and 143 kg animal-1 in the fertilized and unfertilized paddocks at mean stocking rates of 0.83 and 0.74 animals ha-1, respectively. In a grazing protection experiment the density of fine-stem stylo declined exponentially with an accumulation of pasture dry matter in spring and summer. Heavy continuous grazing, an annual hay cut and an accidental fire all increased the density of fine-stem stylo. Management options to maintain the density of fine-stem stylo and the relative importance of the legume and grass to animal production are discussed.

A structural gradient in cerrado vegetation of Brazil: changes in woody plant density, species richness, life history and plant composition

2002 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 775-794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luci Ferreira Ribeiro ◽  
Marcelo Tabarelli
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Lower Layer ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Cerrado Vegetation ◽  
Structural Types

Four structural types of cerrado vegetation were examined to test the following hypotheses: (1) there are predictable changes in woody plant density, species richness and life-history strategies from one structural type to another; and (2) plant species composition in the less-rich structural types represent particular and impoverished subsets of those found in the richer ones. The study was conducted at Fazenda Palmares (5°33′S, 42°37′W) Piauí State, Brazil. A 47% decrease in woody plant density between cerradão (forest) and the least-dense type of cerrado sensu stricto (scrub) was associated with a 40% decrease in species richness. The percentage of lower-layer species was reduced by 29% in the least dense type of cerrado sensu stricto compared to cerradão. The proportion of species that flower and fruit during the rainy season was also reduced by one third. Species were not distributed as impoverished subsets along the cerradão–cerrado sensu stricto gradient. It is argued that the reduction in woody plant density and richness is partly due to factors limiting the occurrence of species with particular life-history strategies. The species composition of structural types is affected by the ‘mass effect’ and also by surrounding biotas, which provide species that colonize particular types of cerrado vegetation. Both these processes reduce the likelihood that the species composition in the poorer structural types are simple subsets of those present in the richer types.

scholarly journals The possibility of reclamation criteria success in Indonesia: soil condition, vegetation structure and species composition

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 3201-3210
Author(s):  
Tedi Yunanto ◽  
Farisatul Amanah ◽  
Nabila Putri Wisnu
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Soil Condition ◽  
Mine Reclamation ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Standard Interval ◽  
Chemical Conditions

There are two regulations for mine reclamation success in the forestry area in Indonesia, namely Minister of Forestry Regulation No. P.60/Menhut-II/2009 and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Decree No. 1827.K/30/MEM/2018. Both regulations rule vegetation and soil success. This study aims to analyse criteria parameters from both regulations in the mine reclamation and compare them to the surrounding secondary natural forest (SNF). This study was conducted in 6 six types of mine reclamation stand structures: 1, 4, 6, 9, 11-year-old plantation and SNF using 1 hectare of the circular plot each (total 6 ha). Soil samples were collected from 40 cm depth to analyse physical, biological and chemical conditions. Mine reclamation areas had almost similar physical, biological and chemical soil conditions with SNF. Nevertheless, due to the potential acid-forming (PAF) material from overburden, the 1-year-old plantation had pH = 3.23-3.27. The highest diversity index and the number of species and families in all reclamation areas were H’ = 1.82 (11-year-old); 14 species (9-year-old); and 11 families (9-year-old), comparing with SNF were H’ = 3.48; 67 species, and 31 families. Conversely, vegetation structure parameters in mine reclamation areas were higher than SNF (diameter at height breast (DBH; 1.3 m) = 28.42 cm; tree density = 469/ha; basal area = 35.04 m2/ha; and total height = 16.85 m). Compared to the SNF, vegetation structure and soil conditions are mostly possible for mine reclamation success. Still, species composition needs to be considered further as a standard interval to meet the criteria.

Superphosphate and stocking rate effects on a native pasture oversown with Stylosanthes humilis in central coastal Queensland. 3. The balance of native species in the pasture

1978 ◽  
Vol 18 (95) ◽  
pp. 808 ◽  
Author(s):  
NH Shaw ◽  
MB Dale
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus ◽  
Native Pasture ◽  
Total Exchange Capacity ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Stocking Rates

The percentage frequency of all herbaceous species in a native pasture oversown with S. humilis (T.S.) was measured at the beginning and end of an eight-year grazing experiment. Treatments imposed were three levels of molybdenized superphosphate (nil; 125 kg ha-1 annually; 250 kg ha-1 annually plus an extra 250 kg ha-1 initially) in factorial combination with four stocking rates and two sowing methods for T.S. (ground sowing into spaced cultivated strips or aerial sowing). Stocking rates were gradually increased during the experiment and for the last three years overlapping ranges were used for the three fertilizer levels; the overall range was then from 0.55 to 1.65 beast ha-1. Treatments did not induce any major changes in the proportions of native species in the pasture. Heteropogon contortus remained dominant and its frequency increased in all treatments. Of the total of 113 species recorded, only 18 reached 10 per cent frequency in at least one paddock on one occasion. Several of these showed statistically significant changes in response to treatment, but their relative importance was not greatly changed. Examination of the results by principal co-ordinate and canonical analysis, showed that the first vectors of the two data sets were highly correlated, indicating that the major control on floristic composition was not changed by oversowing with T.S. or by the treatments imposed. Treatment effects dominated in the second and third vectors in the final year. The controlling vector was found to be highly correlated with soil calcium, potassium, total exchange capacity and organic carbon, but the basis for the correlations remains undetermined.

Forest Regrowth on the Cumberland Plateau and Implications for Productive Management

1983 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 208-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert N. Muller
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Cumberland Plateau ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Nutrient Pools ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Commercial Species

Abstract An old-growth forest and a 35-year-old, second-growth forest on the Cumberland Plateau were studied to compare species composition and structure. Species composition and total basal area of the two stands did not differ, although total stand density was 19 percent lower and basal area of commercial species was 25 percent higher in the old-growth than in the second-growth stand. Analysis of size-class distributions showed that both stands were best represented by an inverse J-shaped distribution, which best describes old-age stands. The rapid regeneration of the second-growth stand seems to be the result of minimal disturbance to accumulated nutrient pools in the soil. The importance of these accumulated nutrient pools and implications for forest management on the Cumberland Plateau are discussed.

Long-Term Effects of Early Pruning and Thinning Treatments on Growth of Natural Longleaf Pine

1980 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-79
Author(s):  
Robert C. Sparks ◽  
Norwin E. Linnartz ◽  
Harold E. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Longleaf Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Pinus Palustris ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Natural Stand ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Pruning Intensity

Abstract Pruning and thinning a young natural stand of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) in southwest Louisiana had little influence on height. However, diameter growth was reduced substantially as pruning intensity or stocking rate increased up to 25-percent live crown and 200 stems per acre, respectively. Improved diameter growth at lower stocking rates was not sufficient to equal the total basal area increment of 200 trees per acre.

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