Range condition assessment in bladder saltbush (Atriplex vesicaria) communities.

1982 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
AD Wilson ◽  
GJ Tupper ◽  
DJ Tongway
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Community Change ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Texture Contrast

Factors contributing to changes in the condition of saltbush communities (Atriplex vesicaria) in the Riverine Plain and Barrier Range regions of New South Wales were measured under a variety of seasonal situations. Groups of eight plots, representing a range of past grazing intensity, were established at each location and measurements were made of species biomass, canopy cover and frequency, forage availability and soil fertility. In both regions, high grazing intensity was characterized by the elimination of the saltbush (A. vesicaria) and an increase in other species, such as Astrebla (mitchell grass), Sclerolaena spp. (copperburrs), annual Atriplex spp. and a wide range of ephemeral species. These changes were best characterized by canopy cover measurements which gave a quantitative assessment of the vegetation changes (in contrast to frequency) and gave values that were less seasonally variable than biomass. Up to 83 species were recorded, but these were aggregated into approximately 9 groups to simplify the collection and analysis of data, without loss of information. On the Barrier Range site, the A. vesicaria was replaced by palatable species, so that there was little loss of overall forage production. Similarly, there was little evidence of loss of soil fertility, as measured by various measures of soil nitrogen, available phosphorus and organic carbon. There was no erosion on these sites, although this may occur on other saltbush communities that grow on texture contrast soils. On the basis of these results, four separate indices of condition are proposed for saltbush communities. These are based on the measurement in the growing season of the canopy cover of major perennial and biennial species or species groups. They are (i) the relative cover of A. vesicaria (the major observable change in these communities), (ii) the relative total cover of desirable forage species (an index of forage productivity), (iii) percentage similarity (an index of community change for conservation purposes), and (iv) the relative area of eroded soil surface.

A survey of the natural pastures of the Trangie District, New South Wales, with particular reference to the grazing factor.

1953 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
EF Biddiscombe
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Grazing Intensities ◽  
Summer Maximum

The Trangie district has a rainfall of 1,750 points with a slight summer maximum, a high relative variability of rainfall, and high summer temperatures. Disclimax pasture communities produced by a range of sheep grazing intensities operative during the past 20-30 years are described. On light soils ungrazed pasture comprises a wide range of perennial grasses. Light grazing (1 sheep per 2 acres) gives increased dominance by Stipa fulcata. With successive increases in grazing pressure Chloris acicdaris and Stipa setacea become conspicuous in turn, only to be virtually replaced by Chloris trumata as grazing intensity reaches 1 sheep per 0.5 acre. On heavy soils Stipa aristiglumis is dominant under light grazing. With increased rate of stocking, first Sporobolus caroli and then Stipa setacea gain dominance. At the highest stocking rates all these species are largely replaced by Chloris truncata. Throughout the sere the number of species is far more restricted than on the light soils. The striking feature of these results is that though botanical composition of the perennial grass component on light and heavy soils respectively is vastly different under light grazing, it becomes similar under heavy grazing and almost identical under severe grazing. Degenerative changes common to pastures of both soil groups under increasing grazing pressure are the decline in density and basal area of the perennial grass component, the greater population of winter and summer annuals, and the declining contribution of perennial grasses to green forage production in the spring. The basis of these findings is firstly the measurement of basal area, density and yield of perennial grasses, and density and yield of annual species in pastures of varying stocking history, and secondly, the measurement of pasture composition in relation to increasing distance from watering points.

Some investigations into soil and vegetation relationships associated with alkaline-saline soil surfaces in the Walcha area, Northern Tablelands, New South Wales

1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 209 ◽  
Author(s):  
KH Kreeb ◽  
RDB Whalley ◽  
JL Charley
Keyword(s):  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Alkali Cations ◽  
Grazing Land ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Wide Range

The characteristics of the soil, vegetation and groundwater at a dryland salinity site on Miramoona, a property near Walcha on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, were investigated. Soil parameters measured at 23 points along a 200 m transect were highly correlated with the pattern of vegetation. Of overriding significance was soil pH, which varied from a high of over 10 on bare areas delineated by Critesion marinum and Cynodon dactylon to a low of less than 5 on grazing land supporting the growth of a wide range of pasture species. The bare areas were characterized by alkalinity. While they were sodic at all depths measured, they were only marginally saline and then only at the soil surface. The chemical composition of the groundwater collected from three piezometer tubes varied quite markedly over the site. It is hypothesized that the presence of alkaline bare areas on the Northern Tablelands is not a new problem, but rather the natural result of alternating wet and dry periods which have induced accumulation of carbonates and bicarbonates of the alkali cations, notably sodium. Drainage of the original perched swamps by the early landholders, tree clearing and the grazing of domestic livestock would have accelerated the process since European settlement. However, tree planting would appear unlikely to have any impact on the reclamation process in the short term. A more viable option would be the recreation of the original swamps in suitable situations, although this solution would create problems for grazing management.

scholarly journals Grazing intensity drives plant diversity but does not affect forage production in a natural grassland dominated by the tussock-forming grass Andropogon lateralis Nees

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Giliard Zanella ◽  
Luis Henrique Paim Della Giustina Junior ◽  
Cassiano Eduardo Pinto ◽  
Tiago Celso Baldissera ◽  
Simone Silmara Werner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Block Design ◽  
High Capacity ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Humid Climate ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Natural Grassland

AbstractAndropogon lateralis is a tall and highly plastic tussock-forming grass native from southern South America. It is a frequent component of Campos and Subtropical highland grasslands that often becomes dominant under lax grazing regimes. The aim of this work was to analyze the response of species diversity and forage production of a natural grassland dominated by A. lateralis to a wide range of grazing intensity. We hypothesized that species diversity and forage production would both peak at the intermediate canopy heights determined by grazing regimes of moderate intensity. A grazing experiment was conducted in a highland grassland with mesothermal humid climate at 922 masl (Atlantic Forest biome, Santa Catarina state, Brazil) that comprised 87 species from 20 families but had 50% of its standing biomass accounted by A. lateralis. Four pre-/post-grazing canopy heights—12/7, 20/12, 28/17, and 36/22 cm (measured on A. lateralis)—were arranged in a complete randomized block design with four replications, and intermittently stocked with beef heifers from October 2015 to October 2017. Andropogon lateralis cover decreased (from 75 to 50%), and species richness increased (15–25 species m−2) as canopy height decreased. Grazing intensity did not affect annual forage production (4.2 Mg DM ha−1). This natural grassland dominated by A. lateralis had a high capacity to adjust to grazing regimes of contrasting intensity, maintaining forage production stable over a wide range of canopy heights. However, to prevent losses in floristic diversity, such grassland should not be grazed at canopy heights higher than 28 cm.

Effects of Rabbit and Kangaroo Grazing on Two Semi-Arid Grassland Communities in Central-Western New South Wales

1989 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 375 ◽  
Author(s):  
JH Leigh ◽  
DH Wood ◽  
MD Holgate ◽  
A Slee ◽  
MG Stanger
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Present Species ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Native Grassland ◽  
Wide Range

The effects of rabbits and kangaroos, and rabbits alone, on the biomass and species composition of a native grassland dominated by Stipa nitida/nodosa, Danthonia caespitosa and Aristida contorta, and a grassland dominated by the exotic species Hordeum glaucum, Vulpia spp., Medicago laciniata and the native Erodium crinitum growing at Yathong Nature Reserve in central New South Wales was monitored between 1979 and 1985. Rabbits generally favoured the grassy component; kangaroos also favoured grasses but less so. Changes in non-grass species composition due to grazing was generally insignificant. Changes in species composition due to seasonal differences in rainfall was highly significant. No new species appeared on plots exclosed from grazing for 10 years, suggesting that the grazing by livestock, rabbits, and kangaroos in the past has determined the present species composition. The annual biomass consumption by rabbits averaged over 6 years was 100-200 kg ha-1, which is equivalent to reducing the carrying capacity by one sheep for every 2-4 ha rabbit-infested area. In the native grassland the spatial pattern of rabbit grazing, as indicated by faecal pellet distribution, biomass removal, and percentage of 'unpalatable' species in the pasture, shows greatest grazing pressure to be within 50 m of the warren, grazing intensity dropping off from there to 300 m the greatest distance studied. From the start of the study 'palatable' species, especially grasses, were at their lowest density within 50 m of the warren; this appeared to be a historical effect of grazing. No patterns were discernible in the pasture dominated by introduced species. Little change in species composition of these grasslands can be expected under a wide range of grazing pressure, except close to rabbit warrens.

scholarly journals Tree Canopy Cover Is Best Associated with Perceptions of Greenspace: A Short Communication

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6501
Author(s):  
Soumya Mazumdar ◽  
Alison Dunshea ◽  
Shanley Chong ◽  
Bin Jalaludin
Keyword(s):  
Short Communication ◽  
New South ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Subjective Measures ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Tree Canopy Cover ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Timely Fashion

A growing literature has supported a relationship between greenspace and health. Various greenspace metrics exist; some are based on subjective measures while others are based on an objective assessment of the landscape. While subjective measures may better reflect individual feelings about surrounding greenspace and the resulting positive benefits thereof, they are expensive and difficult to collect. In contrast, objective measures can be derived with relative ease, in a timely fashion, and for large regions and populations. While there have been some attempts to compare objective and subjective measures of greenspace, what is lacking is a comprehensive assessment of a wide range of greenspace metrics against subjective measures of greenspace. We performed such an assessment using a set of three objective greenspace metrics and a survey of residents in Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia. Our study supported existing findings in that overall, there is very little agreement between perceived and objective greenspace metrics. We also found that tree canopy in 10 min walking buffers around residences was the objective greenspace measure in best agreement with perceived greenspace.

Evaluation of methods of assessing vegetation change in the semi-arid rangelands of southern Australia.

1987 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
AD Wilson ◽  
NA Abraham ◽  
R Barratt ◽  
J Choate ◽  
DR Green ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Change ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Soil Condition ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Litter Cover ◽  
Precise Measure ◽  
Arid Rangelands ◽  
Semi Arid

Methods for measuring long-term changes in vegetation and soil condition were evaluated in terms of recording error, efficiency and value in meeting management objectives. The evaluation was made on 4-5 sites for each of six vegetation types across the semi-arid rangelands of South Australia and New South Wales. In the semi-arid woodlands the lowest errors of measurement (C.V. = 12-14%) were associated with point measures of canopy cover, while in the chenopod shrublands the most precise measure in most situations was the density of shrub clumps (C.V. = 12-16%). Measures of herbaceous and litter cover had a high error of measurement (e.g. C.V. = 60%) and observers were significantly different. The point measurement of the area of degraded soil surface was reliable on duplex soils, but not on gradational soils. The results are discussed in terms of their application for the monitoring of change in range condition. It is concluded that the most appropriate measure of the shrub layer is foliar cover in woodlands and clump density in chenopod shrublands.

Effects of logging and fire on small mammals in Mumbulla State Forest, near Bega, New South Wales

1987 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Lunney ◽  
B. Cullis ◽  
P. Eby
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
First Year ◽  
Severe Effect ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
Rattus Fuscipes

This study of the effects of logging on small mammals in Mumbulla State Forest on the south coast of New South Wales included the effects of a fire in November 1980 and a drought throughout the study period from June 1980 to June 1983. Rattus fuscipes was sensitive to change: logging had a significant impact on its numbers, response to ground cover, and recapture rate; fire had a more severe effect, and drought retarded the post-fire recovery of the population. The three species of dasyurid marsupials differed markedly in their response to ground cover, canopy cover, logging and fire. Antechinus stuartii was distributed evenly through all habitats and was not affected by logging, but fire had an immediate and adverse effect which was sustained by the intense drought. A. swainsonii markedly preferred the regenerating forest, and was not seen again after the fire, the failure of the population being attributed to its dependence on dense ground cover. Sminthopsis leucopus was found in low numbers, appeared to prefer forest with sparse ground cover, and showed no immediate response to logging or fire; its disappearance by the third year post-fire suggests that regenerating forest is inimical to the survival of this species. Mus musculus showed no response to logging. In the first year following the fire its numbers were still very low, but in the next year there was a short-lived plague which coincided with the only respite in the 3-year drought and, importantly, occurred in the intensely burnt parts of the forest. The options for managing this forest for the conservation of small mammals include minimising fire, retaining unlogged forest, extending the time over which alternate coupes are logged and minimising disturbance from heavy machinery.

Interactions of surface drying and subsurface nutrients affecting plant growth on acidic soil profiles from an old pasture

1986 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 681 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Pinkerton ◽  
JR Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Subsurface Layer ◽  
Acid Soils ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Soil Profiles ◽  
Poor Growth ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Reconstituted Soil ◽  
Subsurface Layers ◽  
Surface Drying

Previous studies on soils from old pastures in southern New South Wales have demonstrated that nutrients have accumulated at the soil surface, but that the 40-100-mm depth layer in many profiles has become strongly acidic (e.g. pH 4.7), and high in extractable aluminium. Poor growth of subterranean clover has occurred on such soils during dry periods and may be associated with poor root growth in the acidic, nutrient-poor subsurface layers. Possible nutritional causes of these observations were investigated using reconstituted soil profiles. The root and shoot growth of subterranean clover, wheat, oats and lucerne were compared in unamended profiles and in profiles amended by applying nutrients or calcium carbonate (lime) to correct the more obvious deficiencies of the subsurface layers. Subterranean clover grew well as long as the surface soil remained moist, so that plants could utilise the nutrients potentially available within it. When the surface (0-40 mm) was allowed to dry but the subsurface layers remained moist, growth was poor unless phosphate was applied to the moist layer. Subsurface application of lime alone was ineffective. Nitrogen application increased clover growth in the presence of added phosphate or surface moisture, but nitrogen alone did little to alleviate the effects of surface drought. Wheat, and to a lesser extent oats, responded to subsurface lime when the surface was moist, and both responded to subsurface phosphate when the surface was dry. Lucerne responded to subsurface phosphate similarly to subterranean clover but the response was more than doubled in the presence of additional borate and lime. Lime without borate was not effective. When the surface was maintained moist, liming both the surface (0-40 mm) and subsurface layers improved the response over liming the subsurface layer only. The results suggest that declining fertility and productivity in old pastures developed on acid soils may not be rectified by liming alone, but that cultivation, ripping or drilling of phosphate, and in some cases addition of borate, may be required to improve the penetration of nutrients, particularly phosphorus, to greater depth.

Urochloa platyphylla (broadleaf signalgrass).

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julissa Rojas-Sandoval ◽  
Pedro Acevedo-Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Crop Residue ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Crop Fields ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Germinating Seeds

Abstract U. platyphylla is a weedy grass species commonly found in disturbed, open and sandy sites such as crop fields, ditches and roadsides. It is considered a troublesome weed because of its tolerance to some herbicides principally in maize plantations (Chamblee et al., 1982; Gallaher et al.,1999). U. platyphylla is highly adaptable and it is able to germinate and grow throughout a wide range of soil and environmental conditions (Burke et al., 2003). Additionally, its seeds may remain on the crop residue until pre-emergence herbicides are no longer effective in controlling the germinating seeds, at which time the seeds fall to the soil surface and germinate (Alford et al., 2005).

Gibberella fujikuroi var. subglutinans. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].

1964 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Booth
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Sugar Cane ◽  
Stem Borer ◽  
Fruit Rot ◽  
Gibberella Fujikuroi ◽  
Stem Rot ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Pokkah Boeng ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Southern Rhodesia

Abstract A description is provided for Gibberella fujikuroi var. subglutinans. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: On several hosts of economic importance in the Gramineae; also on a wide range of hosts represented by the following families: Amaryllidaceae, Anacardiaceae, Bromeliaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Convolvulaceae, Cruciferae, Iridaceae, Leguminosae, Liliaceae, Malvaceae, Marantaceae, Musaceae, Palmae, Rosaceae, Rutaceae, Sterculiaceae (14: 708; 31: 515; 36: 501; 40: 89 and Herb. IMI). DISEASES: Causes a seedling blight, and root, stalk and kernel rot of maize; also on heads and stalks of sorghum associated with a foot and stem rot, and causing a stem rot and top rot of sugar-cane ('pokkah boeng'). Other records include a wilt of Crotalaria, a heart rot of leaves of banana and Manila hemp, and fruit rot of banana, cacao and pineapple. There appear to be no references to pathogenicity to rice. Also entomogenous on cereal stem borer larvae and other insects (27: 71; 33: 382; 38: 141, 740). GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Africa (Central African Republic, Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, Reunion, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Rhodesia, Tanganyika, Uganda); Asia (Formosa (Taiwan), Hong Kong, India, Java, Indo-China, Philippines, Syria); Australasia (Hawaii, New South Wales, New Zealand, Victoria); Europe (Czechoslovakia, Germany,? Italy, Poland, Romania); Central America & West Indies (French Antilles, Honduras, Trinidad); North America (Canada, United States); South America (Argentina, Peru). (CMI Map 191). TRANSMISSION: Both seed and soil-borne. Air-borne ascospores produced from perithecia on over-wintered plant debris or on dead stalks of sugar-cane at the beginning of the rainy season are also important sources of infection (30: 344). The pathogen may also be disseminated on pupae and adults of cereal stem borers and their parasites in sugar-cane (33: 382).

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