After the fence: vegetation and topsoil condition in grazed, fenced and benchmark eucalypt woodlands of fragmented agricultural landscapes

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne M. Prober ◽  
Rachel J. Standish ◽  
Georg Wiehl
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Plant Species Composition ◽  
Exotic Plant ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Plant Richness

Emerging ecological theory predicts that vegetation changes caused by introduction of livestock grazing may be irreversible after livestock are removed, especially in regions such as Australia that have a short evolutionary exposure to ungulate grazing. Despite this, fencing to exclude livestock grazing is the major tool used to restore vegetation in Australian agricultural landscapes. To characterise site-scale benefits and limitations of livestock exclusion for enhancing biodiversity in forb-rich York gum (Eucalyptus loxophleba Benth. subsp. loxophleba)–jam (Acacia acuminata Benth.) woodlands, we compared 29 fenced woodlands with 29 adjacent grazed woodlands and 11 little-grazed ‘benchmark’ woodlands in the Western Australian wheatbelt. We explored the following two hypotheses: (1) fencing to exclude livestock facilitates recovery of grazed woodlands towards benchmark conditions, and (2) without additional interventions after fencing, complete recovery of grazed woodlands to benchmark conditions is constrained by ecological or other limits. Our first hypothesis was supported for vegetation parameters, with fenced woodlands being more similar to benchmark woodlands in tree recruitment, exotic plant cover, native plant cover, native plant richness and plant species composition than were grazed woodlands. Further, exotic cover decreased and frequency of jam increased with time-since-fencing (2–22 years). However, we found no evidence that fencing led to decline in topsoil nutrient concentrations towards concentrations at benchmark sites. Our second hypothesis was also supported, with higher topsoil nutrient concentrations and exotic plant cover, and lower native plant richness in fenced than in benchmark woodlands, and different plant species composition between fenced and benchmark woodlands. Regression analyses suggested that recovery of native species richness is constrained by exotic species that persist after fencing, which in turn are more persistent at higher topsoil nutrient concentrations. We conclude that fencing to exclude livestock grazing can be valuable for biodiversity conservation. However, consistent with ecological theory, additional interventions are likely to be necessary to achieve some conservation goals or to promote recovery at nutrient-enriched sites.

Individual plant species responses to phosphorus and livestock grazing

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (7) ◽  
pp. 670 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Dorrough ◽  
S. McIntyre ◽  
M. P. Scroggie
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Individual Plant ◽  
Plant Species Composition ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Native Plant Species

Livestock grazing and fertilisation are primary management activities that determine variation in plant species composition within grazed temperate grassy ecosystems of Australia. The present paper provides an extensive catalogue of the responses of individual species to grazing and fertilisation that can be used to guide management and restoration in differing situations. A hierarchical model that links plant species identities, simple plant traits and two continuous predictive variables (livestock density and available phosphorus) was used to estimate probability of occurrence of plant species across grazing and phosphorus gradients. Certain species and groups of species, particularly native perennial geophytes, ferns and shrubs, were especially sensitive to increases in each of these management gradients, whereas a small group of exotic plants were most tolerant. In the moderately intensive livestock production landscapes sampled, most native plant species preferred ungrazed areas with low available phosphorus. Many non-native plant species also tolerated or preferred such habitats. Less than 1% of all observed species are predicted to occur at high levels of available phosphorus (75 mg kg–1) and heavy stocking (9 dry sheep equivalents ha–1). There is, however, a suite of native species that persist at moderate livestock densities, but only if soils are not phosphorus-enriched. These data can be used to guide options for restoration including ranking of potential sites or selection of species for reintroduction. In most cases, livestock grazing intensity is thought to be the primary factor influencing plant species composition in grazed woodlands. These data, however, highlight the great importance of fertilisation history in limiting ground-layer plant diversity and determining options for management.

scholarly journals Limited evidence for the use of livestock for the conservation management of exotic plant cover

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
David J. Eldridge ◽  
Ian Oliver ◽  
James Val ◽  
Samantha K. Travers
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Management ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Black Box ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Exotic Plant ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Domestic Livestock ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Cypress Pine

Livestock grazing has been used for conservation management in some situations to reduce exotic plant cover, but supporting empirical evidence is scant. This is particularly true for eastern Australian semiarid woodlands and forests. We surveyed 451 sites across three broad semiarid vegetation communities (cypress pine, black box, red gum) in eastern Australia to examine the effects of recent and longer-term (historic) grazing by livestock on exotic (and native) plant cover. Because our focus was the use of domestic livestock for conservation management, our sites were mostly located in conservation reserves, travelling stock routes and native production forests where domestic grazing is approved via permit. We also included recent grazing by kangaroos and rabbits, which occur widely with livestock across the study sites. Structural equation modelling revealed that recent sheep and cattle grazing was associated with increased exotic plant cover in two of the three communities (cypress pine, black box), and historic grazing was associated with lower exotic (and native) plant cover across all communities. Recent cattle grazing-induced reductions in exotic plant cover in the red gum community resulted from declines in the palatable exotic annual grass Ehrharta longiflora. Higher intensity grazing by rabbits, sheep and cattle in the cypress pine community increased exotic plant cover by suppressing the negative effect of native cover on exotic cover. Higher intensity rabbit grazing reinforced the negative effect of nitrogen on native plant cover, resulting in increases in exotic cover. Overall, we found strong evidence that domestic livestock grazing reduces native plant cover either directly or indirectly in all three communities, but limited evidence that it would be a useful conservation management strategy to reduce exotic plant cover in these communities.

scholarly journals Non-Native Eragrostis curvula Impacts Diversity of Pastures in South-Eastern Australia Even When Native Themeda triandra Remains Co-Dominant

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 596
Author(s):  
Corinne Schlierenzauer ◽  
Anita C. Risch ◽  
Martin Schütz ◽  
Jennifer Firn
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Species Composition ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Critical Function ◽  
Themeda Triandra ◽  
Eragrostis Curvula ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Abundance And Diversity ◽  
Native Plant Diversity

Lowland grassy woodlands in Australia’s south-east face reductions in native plant diversity because of invasion by non-native plants. We compared the relative abundance and diversity of plant species among sites dominated by the native Kangaroo grass (KG) Themeda triandra with sites co-dominated by the non-native African lovegrass (ALG) Eragrostis curvula and KG. We found significant differences in plant species composition depending on the dominant species. Furthermore, our results revealed differences in several diversity parameters such as a lower species richness and forb diversity on sites co-dominated by ALG and KG. This was the case despite the functional similarity of both ALG and KG—both C4 perennial tussock grasses of a similar height. Therefore, our results highlight the critical function of the native KG in maintaining and enhancing the target plant species composition and diversity within these grassy woodlands. Herbivore grazing potentially impacts on the abundance of the dominant grass and forb species in various ways, but its impact likely differs depending on their evolutionary origin. Therefore, disentangling the role of individual herbivore groups (native-, non-native mammals, and invertebrates) on the plant community composition of the lowland grassy woodlands is essential to find appropriate grazing regimes for ALG management in these ecosystems.

Introduced and native plant species composition of vacant unmanaged green roofs in New York City

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1227-1238
Author(s):  
Jason M. Aloisio ◽  
Matthew I. Palmer ◽  
Amy R. Tuininga ◽  
J. D. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
York City ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Plant Species Composition ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Native Plant Species

Short-term native grassland compositional responses following liquid hog manure application

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. W. Bork ◽  
L. J. Blonski
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Species Composition ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Manure Application ◽  
Native Grasslands ◽  
Native Grassland ◽  
Hog Manure ◽  
The Impact

Bork, E. W. and Blonski, L. J. 2012. Short-term native grassland compositional responses following liquid hog manure application. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 55–65. Intensive livestock operations (ILOs) are becoming more common in remote regions of the Canadian prairies in an effort to reduce conflict with other land uses. This has led to ILOs situated where the typical sink for manure application, cultivated land, is not available, leading to growing interest in using native grasslands for manure disposal. Significant opposition exists to this practice, in part due to limited information available on the impact of manure application to native grassland diversity and species composition. We examined plant species composition changes over two growing seasons following varying rates (∼9.5, 19, 38, 75 and 150 kg ha−1 available N), methods (surface broadcast vs. coulter injected) and timing (fall vs. spring) of one-time liquid hog manure (LHM) application. Our results revealed divergent responses between study sites, with metrics of plant diversity declining in mixed prairie but increasing in fescue grassland with increases in manure application rate. Both communities also demonstrated minor changes in plant species composition, primarily in response to LHM rate and manure application method. Responsive plant species included a mix of native grasses and dicots, some of which may be regarded as undesirable (e.g., Artemisia frigida): however, most vegetation responses were temporary and disappeared by the second year. Although invasion of non-native plant species was not observed, suggesting these communities are tolerant of LHM application, changes in the reproductive effort of dominant grasses (negative in Hesperostipa curtiseta; positive in Pascopyrum smithii and Festuca hallii) suggest LHM application could alter long-term grassland composition. Thus, despite exhibiting resilience to one-time LHM application, future use of native grasslands for manure disposal should be done cautiously.

Rotational grazing management achieves similar plant diversity outcomes to areas managed for conservation in a semi-arid rangeland

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. McDonald ◽  
Nick Reid ◽  
Rhiannon Smith ◽  
Cathleen M. Waters ◽  
John Hunter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Plant Species Composition ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Understorey Plant ◽  
Arid Rangeland

Despite the increasing extent of protected areas throughout the world, biodiversity decline continues. Grazing management that promotes both biodiversity and production outcomes has the potential to improve broad-scale conservation and complement the protected area network. In this study we explored the potential to integrate commercial livestock grazing and conservation in a semi-arid rangeland in south-eastern Australia. Understorey floristic composition and diversity were compared at different spatial scales across three grazing management treatments: (1) continuous commercial grazing management where paddocks were grazed for the majority of the year (≥8 months per annum); (2) rotational commercial grazing management where livestock are frequently rotated and paddocks rested for >4 months per annum; and (3) protected areas managed for conservation with domestic livestock excluded and grazed only by native and feral herbivores. The season of sampling, rainfall, soil characteristics and the spatial location of sites were the dominant drivers of variability in understorey plant species composition; the effect of grazing treatment on understorey plant species composition was relatively minor. However, areas managed for conservation and under rotational forms of commercial grazing management generally had greater floristic richness and diversity than continuously grazed areas, the results varying with season (spring/autumn) and soil type (clay/sandy-loam), particularly at fine scale (1-m2 quadrats). These findings indicate that rotational grazing management on commercial properties has the potential to improve biodiversity conservation outside the reserve system compared to conventional grazing management.

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