Water Relations of Agropyron smithii and Bouteloua gracilis and Community Evapotranspiration Following Long-term Grazing by Prairie Dogs

1994 ◽  
Vol 132 (2) ◽  
pp. 381 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. A. Day ◽  
J. K. Detling
Keyword(s):  
Water Relations ◽  
Bouteloua Gracilis ◽  
Prairie Dogs ◽  
Agropyron Smithii

Effects of Grazing on Abundance and Distribution of Shortgrass Steppe Consumers

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel G. Milchunas ◽  
William K. Lauenroth
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
Carbon Allocation ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Bouteloua Gracilis ◽  
Shortgrass Steppe ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Grazing Effects

Although livestock are the most obvious consumers on the shortgrass steppe, they are certainly not the only consumers. However, livestock may influence the other consumers in a number of different ways. They may directly compete for food resources with other aboveground herbivores. There is behavioral interference between livestock and some species of wildlife (Roberts and Becker, 1982), but not others (Austin and Urness, 1986). The removal of biomass by livestock alters canopy structure (physiognomy) and influences microclimate. Bird, small-mammal, and insect species can be variously sensitive to these structural alterations (Brown, 1973; Cody, 1985; MacArthur, 1965; Morris, 1973; Rosenzweig et al., 1975; Wiens, 1969). There are both short- and long-term effects of grazing on plant community species composition, primary production, and plant tissue quality. Belowground consumers can also be affected by the effects of grazing on soil water infiltration, nutrient cycling, carbon allocation patterns of plants, litter accumulation, and soil temperature. The overall effects of livestock on a particular component of the native fauna can be negative or can be positive through facilitative relationships (Gordon, 1988). In this chapter we assess the effects of cattle grazing on other above- and belowground consumers, on the diversity and relative sensitivity of these groups of organisms, and on their trophic structure. We first present some brief background information on plant communities of the shortgrass steppe and on the long-term grazing treatments in which many of the studies reported herein were conducted. Details on the plant communities are presented by Lauenroth in chapter 5 (this volume), grazing effects on plant communities by Milchunas et al. in chapter 16 (this volume); and grazing effects on nutrient distributions and cycling by Burke et al. in chapter 13 (this volume). The physiognomy of the shortgrass steppe is indicated in its name. The dominant grasses (Bouteloua gracilis and Buchloë dactyloides), forb (Sphaeralcea coccinea), and carex (Carex eleocharis) have the majority of their leaf biomass within 10 cm of the ground surface. A number of less abundant midheight grasses and dwarf shrubs are sparsely interspersed among the short vegetation, but usually much of their biomass is within 25 cm of the g round. Basal cover of vegetation typically totals 25% to 35%, and is greater in long-term grazed than in ungrazed grassland. Bare ground (more frequent on grazed sites) and litter-covered ground (more frequent on ungrazed sites) comprise the remainder of the soil surface (Milchunas et al., 1989).

Evaluation of Five Pulicides to Suppress Fleas on Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs: Encouraging Long-Term Results with Systemic 0.005% Fipronil

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 400-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Eads ◽  
Dean E. Biggins ◽  
Jonathan Bowser ◽  
Kristina Broerman ◽  
Travis M. Livieri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prairie Dogs ◽  
Long Term Results

HABITAT CHARACTERISTICS AND GRASSHOPPER COMMUNITY DYNAMICS ON MIXED-GRASS RANGELAND

1991 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Quinn ◽  
R.L. Kepner ◽  
D.D. Walgenbach ◽  
R.A. Bohls ◽  
P.D. Pooler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽  
Bouteloua Gracilis ◽  
Community Change ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Agropyron Smithii ◽  
Spatial Gradients ◽  
Mixed Grass ◽  
The Difference

AbstractA study was conducted in Butte County of western South Dakota to determine the relationships between habitat characteristics and spatial and temporal changes in community structure of grasshoppers on mixed-grass rangeland. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) of 29 undisturbed grasshopper communities and correlation analysis of DCA axis values and habitat variables denned specific spatial gradients underlying the community structure of grasshoppers. Results indicated that grasshopper communities changed along a primary gradient of percentage of coverage of grasses, particularly Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm., and a secondary gradient of percentage composition of clay and sand in the soil.DCA of 24 grasshopper communities sampled in 1986 and 1987, multiple regression analysis, and factor analysis were used to determine the relationships between specific habitat characteristics and changes in communities of grasshoppers treated with either a nonselective insecticidal spray (malathion) or a selective insecticidal bait (bran bait with carbaryl). Results indicated that between-year change in community composition, or the difference between post-treatment communities in 1986 and 1987, was positively correlated with percentage of coverage of total grasses and forbs. Community malleability, defined as the tendency of a community to return to its predisturbed state, was greater in habitats with high coverages of Agropyron smithii Rydb. and Carex spp., low coverage of Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Lag. ex Steud., and low species richness of grasses. Our results emphasize the importance of habitat characteristics in structuring undisturbed grasshopper communities and in community change after perturbation with insecticides.

The Biochar challenge in Mediterranean viticulture: results from 10 years of field experiment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Baronti ◽  
Anita Maienza ◽  
Fabrizio Ungaro ◽  
Antonio,Antonello Montagnoli ◽  
Lorenzo Genesio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Field Experiment ◽  
Water Relations ◽  
Soil Amendment ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Plant Water ◽  
Grape Quality ◽  
Mediterranean Countries

<p>There are extensive reports and scientific articles in literature on the applicability of biochar as soil amendment in agriculture and on the benefits that this practice can bring in terms of soil improvement and optimization of water resources. The use of biochar as a soil amendment in agriculture is a suitable option that helps to mitigate the effects of climate change. Biochar has an approximate mean residence time in the soil over 1,000 years and this long-term stability is a fundamental prerequisite for considering biochar as a suitable method for carbon sequestration. Unfortunately, most literature provides results based on one-year trials. Not enough for a soil amendment to be able to claim effectiveness for many decades and not enough for a soil treatment to be considered irreversible. An effective option to fill this knowledge gap is represented by long-term field experiments. In this study, we investigated the effect of biochar application on plant water relations and soil properties during 10 years in a field experiment in Central Italy on Vitis vinifera. Biochar was applied at a rate of 22 t ha-1 in two consecutive growing seasons: 2009 and 2010. The results obtained during these years on biochar treatment compared to the control treatment are exciting: we demonstrated an increase in grape production, up to 66%, without a decrease of the grape quality, an increase in plant-soil water relations, no effects on the concentrations of soil PAHs, no eco-toxicity soil effect and a positive effect on soil chemical and biological parameters. Surprisingly, after 10 years the biochar effect continued to demonstrate significant differences among treatments, in particular: a significant increase of soil biological quality, decrease in soil bulk density coupled with a corresponding increase in saturated hydraulic conductivity, an enhance in soil available water content and a significant improvement of plant water status. The modification of plant water availability induced by biochar application increase the resilience of vineyards to droughts, as demonstrated by the lower leaf potential and higher stomatal conductance. This effect has a significant impact on quantity and quality of grape production after 10 years. Moreover, in the long-term perspective the biochar demonstrates to have an effect on soil biological communities that resulted sensitive to biochar with positive increase of abundance of species related to soil moisture content and enhance of biodiversity index. According to these results, the viticulture is now in the position to provide an effective contribution to mitigate climate change and we expect that this will be an example for other Mediterranean countries.</p>

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