Alternate Stable States and Threshold Effects in Semi-Arid Grazing Systems

Oikos ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 69 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Rietkerk ◽  
J. van de Koppel
Keyword(s):  
Threshold Effects ◽  
Stable States ◽  
Alternate Stable States ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Semi Arid

Erratum to: Multiple feedbacks and the prevalence of alternate stable states on coral reefs

Coral Reefs ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 867-867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid A. van de Leemput ◽  
Terry P. Hughes ◽  
Egbert H. van Nes ◽  
Marten Scheffer
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Stable States ◽  
Alternate Stable States

On non-equilibrium in arid and semi-arid grazing systems

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 1595-1618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sian Sullivan ◽  
Rick Rohde
Keyword(s):  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Non Equilibrium

Multiple feedbacks and the prevalence of alternate stable states on coral reefs

Coral Reefs ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 857-865 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid A. van de Leemput ◽  
Terry P. Hughes ◽  
Egbert H. van Nes ◽  
Marten Scheffer
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Stable States ◽  
Alternate Stable States

EVIDENCE FOR TWO ALTERNATE STABLE STATES IN AN UNGULATE GRAZING SYSTEM

1998 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 1260-1269 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Augustine ◽  
Lee E. Frelich ◽  
Peter A. Jordan
Keyword(s):  
Stable States ◽  
Alternate Stable States ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Ungulate Grazing

scholarly journals Kelp Forests versus Urchin Barrens: Alternate Stable States and Their Effect on Sea Otter Prey Quality in the Aleutian Islands

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan L. Stewart ◽  
Brenda Konar
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
Potential Energy ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Kelp Forest ◽  
Kelp Forests ◽  
Sea Otter ◽  
Population Status ◽  
Stable States ◽  
Alternate Stable States ◽  
Prey Quality

Macroalgal and urchin barren communities are alternately stable and persist in the Aleutians due to sea otter presence and absence. In the early 1990s a rapid otter population decline released urchins from predation and caused a shift to the urchin-dominated state. Despite increases in urchin abundance, otter numbers continued to decline. Although debated, prey quality changes have been implicated in current otter population status. This study examined otter prey abundance, size, biomass, and potential energy density in remnant kelp forest and urchin-dominated communities to determine if alternate stable states affect prey quality. Findings suggest that although urchin barrens provide more abundant urchin prey, individual urchins are smaller and provide lower biomass and potential energy density compared to kelp forests. Shifts to urchin barrens do affect prey quality but changes are likely compensated by increased prey densities and are insufficient in explaining current otter population status in the Aleutians.

Evaluation of strategies for tracking climatic variation in semi-arid grazing systems

2000 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.W. Illius ◽  
J.F. Derry ◽  
I.J. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Climatic Variation ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Semi Arid

scholarly journals Equilibrium and non-equilibrium models of livestock population dynamics in pastoral Africa: their relevance to Arctic grazing systems

Rangifer ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. H. Behnke
Keyword(s):  
Inverse Function ◽  
Arid Environments ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Equilibrium Models ◽  
Northern Latitudes ◽  
Inherent Feature ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Non Equilibrium

Equilibrium grazing systems are characterised by climatic stability that results in predictable primary production. Non-equilibrium grazing systems receive low and erratic rainfall that produces unpredictable fluctuations in forage supplies. In semi-arid Africa, these two types of environment present livestock owners with very different management problems. Identifying and maintaining optimal stocking rates is useful in equilibrium systems because livestock reproduce and produce at a rate determined by the availability of feed, which is an inverse function of stock density. The only problem is to determine what stocking rate is optimal. The correct stocking rate for a grazing system will vary depending on the production strategy and the social and economic circumstances of the rangeland user - there is no single, biologically predetermined optimum density. Variable rainfall complicates the picture in non-equilibrium systems. Set stocking rates of any kind have little value if fluctuation in rainfall has a stronger effect than animal numbers on the abundance of forage. More useful in such an environment is the ability to adjust stocking rates rapidly to track sudden changes in feed availability. In semi-arid Africa, the distinction between equilibrium and non-equilibrium systems hinges on the reliability of rainfall. In northern latitudes, at least three primary variables important for plant growth and the survival of herbivores must be considered: rainfall, snow cover and temperature. It is probably not useful to consider arctic grazing systems as equilibrium systems; on the other hand, the non-equilibrium models developed in hot semi-arid environments do not capture the range of complexity which may be an inherent feature of plant-herbivore dynamics on the mountain and tundra pastures where reindeer are herded or hunted.

scholarly journals Are forest‐shrubland mosaics of the Cape Floristic Region an example of alternate stable states?

Ecography ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 717-729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Cramer ◽  
Simon C. Power ◽  
Anastas Belev ◽  
Lindsey Gillson ◽  
William J. Bond ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cape Floristic Region ◽  
Stable States ◽  
Alternate Stable States
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