The effects of browsing by feral and re-introduced native herbivores on seedling survivorship in the Australian rangelands

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola T. Munro ◽  
Katherine E. Moseby ◽  
John L. Read

Browsing by introduced cattle (Bos taurus) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) can limit the recruitment of some arid zone tree and shrub species. In a study conducted at the Arid Recovery Reserve, Roxby Downs, SA, we aimed to quantify initial recruitment changes in shrubs after the removal of cattle and rabbits and the re-introduction of locally extinct fauna. The presence and abundance of seedlings was measured at groves of seven native perennial shrubs over 6 years under four browsing treatments: (1) ‘reserve-reintroductions’ [re-introduced greater stick-nest rats (Leporillus conditor), burrowing bettongs (Bettongia lesueur) and greater bilbies (Macrotis lagotis)], (2) ‘reserve-no browsers’, (3) ‘pastoral-stocked’ (rabbits and cattle), and (4) ‘pastoral-destocked’ (rabbits). Recruitment of mulga (Acacia aneura F.Muell. ex Benth.), silver cassia (Senna artemisioides subsp. petiolaris Randell) and sandhill wattle (Acacia ligulata A.Cunn. ex Benth.) was significantly greater in the two browsing regimes inside the Reserve than in the two pastoral regimes. The number of recruits of these three species declined at ‘pastoral-destocked’ and ‘pastoral-stocked’ sites but increased at ‘reserve-reintroductions’ and ‘reserve-no browsers’ sites from 2001 to 2006. Narrow-leaf hopbush (Dodonaea viscose (L.) Jacq.) showed a trend towards increased recruitment at sites in both browsing regimes inside the Reserve, but decreased recruitment at sites in both pastoral regimes. Native plum (Santalum lanceolatum R.Br.), native apricot (Pittosporum phylliraeoides orth. var. DC.) and bullock bush (Alectryon oleifolius (Desf.) S.T.Reynolds) exhibited no significant difference in recruitment between the four browsing regimes within the study timeframe. These results suggest that excluding rabbits and stock may benefit the germination and survival of mulga, silver cassia and sandhill wattle. To date, re-introduced native herbivores at low numbers have not been found to negatively affect the recruitment or growth rate of the seven perennial plant species studied.

2003 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
SA Ryan ◽  
KE Moseby ◽  
DC Paton

Dietary preferences of the greater stick-nest rat (Leporillus conditor) and the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were compared using cafeteria trials and direct observations. Despite overlap, these species exhibited differences in dietary preference. L. conditor showed a strong preference for chenopod shrub species and other plant species with a high water content including Gunniopsis quadrifida and Calandrinia remota. L. conditor also preferred female bladder saltbush (Atriplex vesicaria) foliage to male. O. cuniculus ate a greater selection of plant species in most trials with their most preferred species including mulga (Acacia aneura), Salsola kali and Calandrinia remota. Both O. cuniculus and L. conditor preferred seedlings of perennial species to adult cuttings. L. conditor has recently been re-introduced to a 14 km� O. cuniculus, cat (Felis catus) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) proof exclosure in the arid zone of South Australia. The re-introduction of this herbivore and the removal of exotic herbivores may change the vegetation structure and composition within the exclosure by restricting growth of some succulent chenopod species but allowing the regeneration of tall shrub species such as Acacia aneura which are usually limited by O. cuniculus grazing.


2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant D. Linley ◽  
Katherine E. Moseby ◽  
David C. Paton

Burrowing bettongs (Bettongia lesueur) reached high densities within the fenced Arid Recovery reserve. Grazing pressure was assessed by comparing the vegetation inside and outside the reserve during April in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Mean numbers of bettong tracks crossing small 10 m × 1 m plots overnight in the main exclosure were 20 in 2012, decreasing to 4 in 2013 and 3 in 2014. Similar declines were present in the second expansion, where tracks decreased from 7 in 2012 to 3 in 2013 and 2 in 2014. Perennial plant species richness decreased significantly over the study period. Acacia aneura, Acacia ligulata, Atriplex vesicaria, Crotalaria eremaea, Dodonaea viscosa, Enchylaena tomentosa, Maireana astrotricha and Sida ammophila were the most heavily grazed species within the reserve. Overall, more than 25% of plants showed some form of conspicuous grazing. C. eremaea and E. tomentosa showed little damage outside the reserve. Inside the reserve many C. eremaea were dead and heavily browsed and few E. tomentosa remained. Recent recruitment of A. ligulata and D. viscosa was also much higher outside the reserve. High densities of burrowing bettongs were associated with declines in vegetation condition potentially impacting other species and the ecosystem as a whole.


1986 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 28 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.G Gardiner

Survival rates of arid-land perennial plant species were significantly related to climate, site factors, and grazing by kangaroos (Macropus rufus, Desmarest and Macropus robustus, Gould). Rainfall patterns ranging from severe drought to well above average resulted in responses in all species. All but Frankenia (Frankeniapauciflora, DC) responded to spatial and temporal site factors. Survival of wire wanderrie grass (Eragrostis xerophila, Domin) was severely reduced by grazing kangaroos, while poverty bush (Eremophila spectabilis, C.A. Gardn.) and Frankenra responded positively to kangaroo activity. Cotton bush (Ptilotus obovatus, Gaud.), ball-leaf bluebush (Marreana glomerifolia), (F. MueH et Tate) Wils. and Wilcox bush (Eremophila leucophylla, Benth.) showed no survival response to kangaroo grazing. The application of maximum likelihood procedures permitted subtle effects to be detected and several significant causal factors to be separated.


1990 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 269 ◽  
Author(s):  
KC Hodgkinson ◽  
RE Oxley

The germination of some shrub species may be enhanced following fire in shrublands and woodlands. This paper reports the germination response of Acacia aneura, Cassia nemophila and Dodonaea viscosa - common shrub species in semi-arid and arid woodlands - to laboratory fires over a range of intensities and durations. Seeds were subjected to fires of different intensities in the controlled environment of a glasshouse. Depth of seed placement in the soil, soil moisture level and amount and type of fuel influenced the percentage of seeds that germinated. Amounts of shredded paper fuel, equivalent to typical grass fuel levels in semi-arid woodlands did not enhance the germinability of seeds of any of the species, except for A. aneura on a moist or wet soil surface. A high, dense fuel load (simulating slow burning, low- intensity litter fires) either increased or decreased the germinability of surface and buried seeds of all species, depending upon soil moisture level and depth of seeds. The germination response to the heat of fires differed significantly between species: A . Aneura germination increased substantially at low levels of peak temperature up to 60°C whereas germination of C. nemophila increased to a lesser extent and D. viscosa was not affected at all over this low temperature range. Seeds of all species were killed by slow burning litter fires when the temperature exceeded 80°C. These results confirm the view that fire- promoted germination does not result from the burning of fine fuels per se but occurs only where there is litter buildup and when the soil temperature does not exceed the lethal threshold of 70-80°C.


Author(s):  
D. W. Minter

Abstract A description is provided for Bombardioidea stercoris, a dung-inhabiting fungus associated with Bos taurus, Cervidae, Lepus europaeus, L. timidus, Oryctolagus cuniculus and Ovis aries. Some information on its morphology, economic impacts, habitats, dispersal and transmission and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (Canada (Quebec), Argentina, Chile, Falkland Islands/Malvinas, Spain (Canary Islands), Australia (Victoria), New Zealand, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark (including Faroe Islands), Estonia, France, Germany, Irish Republic, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK and former Yugoslavia).


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 520-528
Author(s):  
Thiago Vinicius Costa NASCIMENTO ◽  
Daniel Maia NOGUEIRA ◽  
Nilton de Brito CAVALCANTE

Summary Native fruits from Caatinga vegetation can be an important alternative to improve the productive performance of kids in the semi-arid region of Brazil. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation with Umbuzeiro fruits in natura over the weight gain and anthelmintic control of kids kept in Buffel grass pasture in the semi-arid zone of Pernambuco, Brazil. Twenty-four castrated, crossbreed kids were allocated into three treatments: 1) Control (n = 8) fed exclusively with Buffel grass; 2) Umbu 1x (n = 8) fed with fruits once a week and 3) Umbu 3x (n = 8) fed with fruits for three times a week. The following parameters were evaluated: variation of body weight, faecal egg counts (FEC) and coproculture. Overall, the average consumption of Umbu fruits in natura was 1.48 kg/animal/day, which corresponded to 133.5 g daily dry matter intake (DMI/animal/day). There were no significant difference (P>0.05) for any parameters evaluated. During the experimental period, the overall daily weight gain was variable between 108.75 to 116.70 g/animal/day and the average FEC was 436 eggs. In the present study, the goat kids supplemented with fresh umbu fruits showed a good productive performance, however the supplementation with umbu did not control the infestation of gastrointestinal nematodes in kids.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1194-1204
Author(s):  
Khofifah Fitriani ◽  
S Slamet ◽  
Dwi Bagus Pambudi ◽  
Urmatul Waznah

AbstractHair loss is a disorder or disorder of hair apart from the scalp or body skin so that it interferes with various biological functions of hair on the body. Types of hair care cosmetic that is effective in dealing with hair loss are hair tonic. Hair tonic is a preparation for the treatment of the scalp and hair. Bandotan (Ageratum conyzoides L.) is used by the public as medicine and hair care. The purpose of this study was to determine the formulation of hair tonic preparations from the ethanol extract of bandotan leaves according to the requirements and hair growth activity of local male rabbits. The extraction method used the maceration method with 96% ethanol and applied hair tonic extract of bandotan leaves on the skin of local male rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) which were treated as blanks without smearing, positive control (Natur), negative control hair tonic base, concentration bandotan leaf extract. (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) for 21 days. The data obtained in the form of hair length, and hair weight. Analysis of the data obtained for hair growth activity was seen from the results of the ANOVA test and continued with the BNT test (Least Significance Different). The results of the research for evaluating hair tonic preparations included organoleptic tests, pH tests, viscosity tests, specific gravity tests, and cycling tests. Hair tonic ethanol extract of bandotan leaves has hair growth activity. Hair tonic ethanol extract of bandotan leaves with a concentration of 20% had the highest hair length and hair weight. From the results of one way ANOVA, a significant value was obtained 0.000 < 0.005, so it was concluded that there was a significant difference between treatments, and continued with the BNT test (Least Significance Different) positive control was not significantly different from hair tonic concentration of 20%.Keywords: Bandotan leaves, Hair tonic, Hair growth AbstrakKerontokan rambut adalah suatu gangguan atau kelainan rambut terlepas dari kulit kepala atau kulit tubuh sehingga mengganggu berbagai fungsi biologis rambut terhadap tubuh. Jenis kosmetik perawatan rambut yang efektif mengatasi rambut rontok adalah hair tonic. Hair tonic adalah sediaan untuk perawatan kulit kepala dan rambut. Bandotan (Ageratum conyzoides L.) digunakan oleh masyarakat sebagai obat dan perawatan rambut. Tujuan dari penelitian ini mengetahui formulasi sediaan hair tonic dari ekstrak etanol daun bandotan yang sesuai dengan persyaratan dan aktivitas pertumbuhan rambut pada kelinci jantan lokal. Metode ekstraksi menggunakan metode maserasi dengan etanol 96% dan dilakukan pengolesan hair tonic ekstrak daun bandotan pada kulit kelinci jantan lokal (Oryctolagus cuniculus) yang diberikan perlakuan sebagai blanko tanpa pengolesan, kontrol positif (Natur), kontrol negatif basis hair tonic, ekstrak daun bandotan konsentrasi (5%,10%,15% dan 20%) selama 21 hari. Data yang diperoleh berupa panjang rambut, dan bobot rambut. Analisa data yang diperoleh untuk aktivitas pertumbuhan rambut dilihat dari hasil uji ANOVA dan dilanjutkan dengan uji BNT (Beda Nyata Terkecil). Hasil penelitian untuk evaluasi sediaan hair tonic antara lain uji organoleptis, uji pH, uji viskositas, uji bobot jenis, dan uji cycling test. Hair tonic ekstrak etanol daun bandotan memiliki aktivitas pertumbuhan rambut. Hair tonic ekstrak etanol daun bandotan dengan konsentrasi 20% memiliki panjang rambut dan bobot rambut tertinggi. Dari hasil one way ANOVA didapatkan nilai signifikan 0,000 < 0,005 sehingga disimpulkan adanya perbedaan signifikan antar perlakuan, dan dilanjutkan uji BNT (Beda Nyata Terkecil) didapatkan kontrol positif tidak berbeda nyata dengan hair tonic konsentrasi 20%.Kata kunci : Daun bandotan; Hair tonic; Pertumbuhan rambut


1971 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
PB Preece

Investigations into the germination behaviour of seed of the widespread Australian arid zone leguminous tree Acacia aneura Benth. are described. Hardseededness has been overcome in routine laboratory studies, but attempts to understand the mechanism by which it is overcome in nature were unsuccessful. The seed germinates equally well in the dark and in the light within the temperature range 15-36°C. Temperatures between 20 and 30° are optimal for germination, and carbon dioxide concentrations up to 5 % increase the germination rate above that displayed in ambient air. A simple model has been developed which suggests that seed of this species should have been available and should have germinated in c. one year in every nine, since records began in parts of western New South Wales where mulga regeneration is absent.


1986 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 549 ◽  
Author(s):  
RA Hunter ◽  
BD Siebert

The effects of genotype, age and liveweight, pregnancy and lactation on the voluntary feed intake by cattle of roughage diets of different qualities were studied in a number of experiments. The diets ranged from poor quality (low-nitrogen, high-fibre) spear grass (Heteropogon contortus) hay on which intakes were low ( 1 1 g DM/kg liveweight (LW)) to good quality lucerne (Medicago sativa) hay (26 g DM/kg LW). On the poorest-quality diet, differences in intake between Bos taurus and Bos indicus were not significant. However, on the higher quality diets Herefords (Bos taurus) ate significantly (P < 0.05) more than Brahmans (Bos indicus). In addition, as the quality of the diet improved from speargrass through to lucerne, the breed difference in favour of the Herefords became progressively greater and the variability between animals progressively smaller as a proportion of intake. Another study showed that with increasing age and liveweight of steers, intake per unit body weight declined, the rate of decline being significantly (P < 0.05) greater on good-quality lucerne compared to a poor-quality speargrass diet. There was no significant difference between Aberdeen Angus (Bos taurus) and Brahman steers in the rate of decline of intake of each diet with increasing age and liveweight of the steers. Another experiment which measured intake of pregnant and lactating heifers showed that the amount of feed eaten by pregnant heifers increased with increasing liveweight in late pregnancy, with intake per unit liveweight remaining constant. Lactating cows ate 35% more on a liveweight basis than their nonpregnant, non-lactating counterparts. These results are discussed in relation to mechanisms which control intake of roughage diets in ruminants, especially those associated with energy metabolism.


1985 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 649-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Hunter ◽  
B. D. Siebert

1. In a number of experiments voluntary food intake of three low-quality roughages, either alone or supplemented with rumen-degradable nitrogen and sulphur and minerals, was measured in Brahman (Bos indicus) and Hereford (Bos taurus) steers. The chaffed hays were Spear grass (Heteropogon conform) (6.2 g N/kg organic matter (OM)), Pangola grass (Digitaria decumbens) (7.9 g N/kg OM), and Pangola grass (12.0 g N/kg OM). Rumen characteristics relating to rate of fluid outflow from the rumen were also determined.2. There was no significant difference between breeds in the dry-matter intakes of the unsupplemented diets which ranged from 11.3 to 17.8 g/kg body-weight (BW) by Herefords and from 11.8 to 16.1 g/kg BW by Brahmans.3. Supplementation of Spear grass with N and S significantly (P < 0.05) increased intake by Herefords (24%) but not by Brahmans. When the lower-N Pangola grass was supplemented there was a significant increase in intake by both breeds with the magnitude of the response in Herefords (42%) (P < 0.001) being greater than that in Brahmans (15%) (P < 0.05). The intakes of both the supplemented Spear grass and the lower-N Pangola diets were significantly (P < 0.05) greater by Herefords than Brahmans. There was no breed difference in intake when the higher-N Pangola grass was supplemented. Both breeds recorded an 8% intake response to supplementation, although the increase was only significant (P < 0.05) in Herefords.4. The mean retention time of fluid in the rumen on the unsupplemented Pangola grass diet of lower N content was 12.7 h in Brahmans compared with 17.5 h in Herefords (P < 0.01). When the higher-N Pangola was fed, both alone and supplemented, the mean retention times were similar on both diets (10.5 and 9.9 h for Herefords; 9.5 and 8.1 h for Brahmans for unsupplemented and supplemented diets respectively).5. Plasma urea concentrations were higher in Brahmans than in Herefords on all diets. Rumen ammonia concentrations were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in Brahmans than Herefords when the lower-N Pangola grass diet was unsupplemented.6. The intakes and the variable intake responses to supplementation between breeds and diets are discussed in relation to a number of animal and dietary factors.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document