Structural and nutritional heterogeneity of riparian vegetation in Patagonia (Argentina) in relation to seasonal grazing by sheep

Riparian meadows of southern Patagonia are temporally and spatially heterogeneous habitats. They are thought to play a key role in regulating the dynamics of arid grazed steppes of the region. We conducted a 2-year study with sheep to determine the influence of two grazing conditions (deferment and spring grazing) on structural and nutritional parameters of three vegetation types apparently associated with a soil moisture gradient in a riparian meadow in southern Santa Cruz (Argentina). Spring deferment allowed forage accumulation in very moist and intermediate vegetation types by the beginning of the summer and had no detrimental impact on forage quality. Deferment had no effect on biomass accumulation of the drier vegetation type at our study site. Structural attributes of the vegetation appeared to affect spatial grazing patterns of sheep. Soil-related patchiness, rather than sheep grazing, appeared to control vegetation structure and nutritional value. The proportion of more mesic plant communities in riparian habitats of Patagonia could determine the outcome of plant–animal interactions in these systems. Practical recommendations of grazing capacity in paddocks, or more theoretical considerations of ecosystem dynamics of the Patagonian steppes need to explicitly consider the internal patchiness of riparian habitats.     

Changes in vegetation structure induced by domestic grazing in Patagonia (Southern Argentina)

We analyzed the structural differences associated with grazing exclusion on vegetation by studying 24 grazed-ungrazed paired sites in Patagonia (Argentina). Our objectives were to evaluate the effect of grazing on plant species composition, plant diversity, the relative abundance of plant functional types, and the vertical and horizontal structure of the plant community. This study across the shrub-grass steppes of Patagonia highlights some important characteristics of the vegetation response to a major disturbance factor we show that shrub encroachment is not a generalized response of the steppe to grazing. Grazed areas presented lower richness and diversity than exclosures. Physiognomic changes (as describe by relative abundance of plant functional types) were less important than those observed at the species level. These results shown that the status of the shrub-grass steppes of the Occidental district of Patagonia can not be characterized in terms of contrasting physiognomic states as in the case of the grass steppes of the Subandean district. Forbs and a few mesophytic and xerophytic grasses are the key elements to identify the condition of the steppe. Monitoring programs should focus on the relative abundance of these components.     

Effects of soil degradation on infiltration rates in grazed semiarid rangelands of northeastern Patagonia, Argentina

In grazed semiarid ecosystems, considerable spatial variability in soil infiltration exists as a result of vegetation and soil patchiness. Despite widespread recognition that important interactions and feedbacks occur between vegetation, runoff and erosion, currently there is only limited quantitative information on the control mechanisms that lead to differences in infiltration from different vegetation types. In this paper, we determine (i) the relationship between vegetation and soil surface characteristics and (ii) the soil infiltration rate by using rainfall simulations on runoff plots (0.60 × 1.67 m) in three plant communities of northeastern Patagonia: grass (GS), degraded grass with scattered shrubs (DGS), and degraded shrub steppes (DSS). Our results clearly indicate that vegetation and soil infiltration are closely coupled. Total infiltration was significantly higher in the GS (69.6 mm) compared with the DGS and DSS (42.9 and 28.5 mm, respectively). In the GS, soil infiltration rate declined more slowly than the others communities, reaching a terminal infiltration rate significantly greater (57.7 mm) than those of DGS and DSS (25.7 and 12.9 mm, respectively). The high rate of water losses via overland-flow may limit the possibilities for grass seedling emergence and establishment and favor the persistent dominance of shrubs.     

Long-term dynamics of a semiarid grass steppe under stochastic climate and different grazing regimes: A simulation analysis

We built a grid-based spatial explicit stochastic model that simulates grazing events and basic processes like seedling establishment, growth or mortality of the dominant species in the grass steppes of Patagonia. After evaluating the model with field data, we performed simulation experiments aimed to explore the interaction of precipitation and grazing regimes on vegetation dynamics. Grazing generated a reduction in tussock density which results in a decline in aboveground net primary production (ANPP). Both response variables presented a non-linear behavior including high temporal variability and delay effects, which may prolong for decades. There was a clear threshold in the response of the variables to stock density, though changes become evident only when a highly selective grazing scenario was used. Under high stock density conditions, precipitation use efficiency (PUE) was 82% lower than the values for non-grazed runs. The inter-annual variability of precipitation was more important than the grazing regime in explaining differences in tussock density. Simulation results highlight important issues regarding rangeland management: grazing regime might be as important as stocking density as a degradation agent, temporal lags might obscure degradation processes for decades, the definition of monitoring variables need to consider their response time constants.     

Studying the post-fire performance of tussock grasses in Patagonia: Survival, biomass production and early competition

Patagonia grasslands are subjected to two main disturbances, fire and grazing, but little information is available about its effects on vegetation. We studied post-fire survival and resprouting ability of two dominant grass species, Stipa speciosa and Festuca pallescens, for four years; evaluated the effect of early post-fire defoliation on both species; and tested whether competition is important in post-fire recovery in San Ramón Ranch, NW Patagonia (Argentina). To simulate grazing, a clipping treatment was applied at the beginning and end of growing seasons. Survival rates were high (>60%) and, after three years, biomass of both species in the burned area was similar to the unburned area. Competition seems to play an important role in the early post-fire recovery of both species, particularly in the case of F. pallescens that increased 87% the biomass production without competition. Fire may improve forage quality by eliminating the standing dead material, but early post-fire grazing might endanger the persistence of F. pallescens. We suggest requiring a resting period before livestock introduction and controlling grazing intensity.     

Grazing effects on patchy dryland vegetation in northern Patagonia

In this study the spatial patterns and dynamics of vegetation patches along a grazing gradient in the steppe ofLarrea divaricataandStipaspp. in NE Patagonia (Argentina) are described. A general effect of grazing is the reduction of total plant cover resulting from the decrease in cover of perennial grasses (Stipa speciosa, Poa ligularis, Stipa tenuis) and some tall shrubs (Chuquiraga hystrix, Bougainvillea spinosa, Lycium chilense). Dwarf shrubs (Nassauvia fueguianaandJunellia seriphioides) increase their cover under medium and/or high grazing pressures. Plant species are spatially grouped into patches which alternate with areas of bare soil. Eleven types of vegetation patch differing in the dominant plant functional type or species, floristic richness and size were identified with different relative frequency along the grazing gradient. Based on these results, it is postulated that grazing forces the replacement of large patches dominated by tall shrubs with high species richness, byLarrea divaricatapatches or small dwarf shrub patches with low species richness and the extinction of grass patches. This results from: (1) disruption of local balances of species deletions and additions; (2) fragmentation of large patches; and (3) formation of new vegetation patches. These changes lead to differing plant spatial organization and heterogeneity along the grazing gradient which may be described by characteristic arrays of vegetation patches.     

Small-scale vegetation dynamics in semi-arid steppe in Inner Mongolia

Small-scale vegetation dynamics were followed for ecotones and in uniform stands inArtemisia-dominated steppe vegetation under grazing and when recovering from heavy grazing. Species composition was followed annually for 5 years in 1 m²and 0·25 m²plots for (1) presence–absence; (2) density; and (3) biomass.More rapid vegetation dynamics, in terms of change of type of vegetation and distance moved in DCA species space between sampling occasions, were observed in smaller plots and in early seral stages, where species were few and alpha diversity low. Only the plots recently protected from grazing showed a directional vegetation change; those protected for more than 3 years and those under continued grazing showed, at this scale, non-directional dynamics.     

Can sheep replace indigenous antelope as seed dispersers in the Kalahari?

The Southern Kalahari Duneveld is an arid savannah, which has been used for permanent stock farming since around 1900. Farming with high numbers of animals has led to changes in the vegetation which have been associated with excessive grazing and trampling. To determine whether altered seed dispersal could be an alternative or additional explanation, we investigated how replacing antelope with sheep affects seed dispersal. We determined the dispersal potentials of plant species by various vectors using standardized experiments and studied the variation of dispersal potential along a grazing intensity gradient and among different habitats.Wind dispersal potential was low, but diaspores of many plant species were well adapted to dispersal by water. Biotic long-distance dispersal potentials were relatively high and varied between sheep and antelope: the species of plants dispersed differed, as did the number of seeds transported and the time of year that seeds were dispersed in.The importance of zoochory and the differences found between antelope and sheep dispersal suggest that dispersal is affected by a change of animal type. Thus, sheep can not replace antelope as seed dispersers. Therefore, sustainable grazing management or restoration efforts should benefit from seed input of sensitive species where antelope are rare.     

策勒绿洲外围不同地下水埋深下主要优势植物的分布和群落特征

对塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘策勒绿洲外围地下水埋深与主要优势植物分布和群落特点的研究结果表明,植物的分布和群落特征受地下水埋深变化的影响。但群落的组成成分和生物多样性受到地貌特征和地下水埋深的双重影响。群落的差异性和间断性大于群落的连续性和相似性。群落分布随地下水埋深的变化与其他荒漠地区在大的空间演替规律上相一致,但在群落类型、特别是低水位地段群落演替序列上有明显不同。随着地下水埋深的变化,植物群落依次为:低水位的骆驼刺群落,较低水位的柽柳群落,中低水位的柽柳、胡杨群落,较高水位的芦苇群落,高水位的苦豆子群落,其中地下水埋深6.0 m以上地段是植物群落类型、种类组成和生物多样性都较为丰富的地区。绿洲外围植物中柽柳具有最大的环境资源利用比率,对环境的适应性最强。     

Environmental controls on lambing rate in Patagonia (Argentina): A regional approach

Sheep herd sustainability in Patagonia is limited by reproductive efficiency. As the herds graze on natural vegetation year round, efficiency is constrained by biophysical factors. Our aim was to characterize the environmental controls over effective lambing rate in northwest Patagonia. We related remotely sensed data [surface temperatures and Normal Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), a surrogate for forage availability] and climatic information to lambing rates. A spatial model explained 63% of the variability in mean lambing rate, based on mean annual NDVI and mean spring surface temperature. The relative inter-annual variability in lambing rates was of similar magnitude to that of annual NDVI. Both lambing rate and NDVI were less variable than climatic factors. Two regional temporal models explained approximately 25% of the variability, based on NDVI values representative of ewes’ nutrition during late gestation and lambing. These models predicted, with 65% and 76% accuracy respectively, the occurrence of better-than-average and worse-than-average yearly lambing rates. These results provided insights into the factors limiting reproduction, and they form the basis for important decision tools for ranch managers. Prediction of lambing rates based on remotely sensed data will reduce the uncertainty and risk in sheep production, increasing the economic sustainability of sheep production.     

内蒙伊盟牧场利用与沙漠化及其防治

本世纪七十年代以来, 沙漠化问题在世界范围内引起了广泛的注意。沙漠化对社会生产和人类的生活与生产是一个严重的威胁。内蒙古自治区伊克昭盟是一个沙漠化比较严重的地区, 迄一九七七年, 全盟流沙面积达27, 666平方公里, 比解放初扩大1.3倍。伊盟牧业在国民经济中比重很大, 牧区约占全盟面积72%。在沙漠化成因中, 牧场的利用不合理是一个主要的方面。因此, 研究牧场利用与土地沙漠化的关系, 总结牧民合理利用牧场的经验, 并提出防治沙漠化的途径, 对于解决这个地区的沙漠化问题, 是十分重要的。     

Effects of grazing and climate change on sandy grassland ecosystems in Inner Mongolia

To understand the effects of grazing activities and climate change on sandy grassland ecosystems in northern China, a livestock field grazing and enclosure experiment was conducted from 1992 to 2006 in Horqin Sand Land, Inner Mongolia. The results showed that sustained heavy grazing resulted in serious degradation of the vegetation; moderate grazing can maintain vegetation stabilization; and light grazing can promote rapid restoration of degraded vegetation. The livestock productivity was the highest in the moderate grazing grassland, and sustained heavy grazing resulted in rapid decrease of the livestock productivity. Heavy grazing can cause a retrogressive succession of grassland vegetation, whereas moderate and light grazing may promote progressive succession of plant species. The effects of changing climate on succession processes were not significant in the short term; a warm-humid climate is favorable to restoration of degraded vegetation, whereas a sustained warm-drought climate may result in degradation of grassland vegetation. Heavy livestock grazing should be stopped for the sustainable use of grassland; the proper grazing intensity for sandy grassland is two to three sheep or sheep equivalents per hectare in Inner Mongolia.     

Change in Extent of Meadows and Shrub Fields in the Central Western Cascade Range,Oregon∗

We examined change in areal extent of mountain meadows and fields of deciduous shrubs and conifer saplings in the central western Cascade Range of Oregon, based on analysis of aerial photographs taken in 1946 and 2000. These nonforest vegetation patches are distinctive habitats in dominantly forested landscapes, such as the Cascades, and change in extent of these habitats is of interest to scientists and land managers. We mapped and dated even-aged forest stands of probable postfire origin around the nonforest patches, using tree-ring analysis and interpretation of aerial photographs. We used these and archival data to interpret possible influences of past wildfire and sheep grazing on the extent of nonforest patches. The total area of nonforest vegetation patches decreased from 5.5 percent of the study area in 1946 to 2.5 percent in 2000. Significantly more cases of contracted patches were observed for mesic and xeric meadows which have adjacent forest established after wildfire in the approximately 150 years preceding 1946. A higher proportion of mesic (47 percent, n = 47) than xeric (17 percent, n= 115) meadows contracted between 1946 and 2000. Broad-leaved shrub fields were unchanged, probably because of topo-edaphic controls, dense cover of shrubs, and snow effects; but all fields of conifer saplings underwent succession to forest. We observed no strong influences of sheep grazing on the extent of meadows.     

Range and livestock production in the Monte Desert,Argentina

This article reviews and analyzes the available information on range and livestock production in the Monte Desert. Cow–calf operations, goats for meat, and sheep for wool are the dominant production systems under continuous grazing. Rest-rotational grazing systems improved the efficiency of the current cow–calf production. Forage resources are primarily composed of perennial grasses and woody species. Rain-use efficiency for the total vegetation ranged from 3.9 to 4.8 kg DM ha^?1 year^?1 mm^?1. Carrying capacity showed a broad range: 18.7, 4.5–64.5, and 21.6–89.3 ha AU^?1 in the north, central, and south portions of the Monte, respectively. Mean crude protein (CP) content of grasses varied from 8.4 to 10.3 (wet season) and 7.1–3.7% DM (dry season) in the central west and Patagonia, respectively. Grasses predominated in the cattle diet, while the sheep diet was highly diverse because they ate most of the available plant species, and there was no unanimity as to the fact that goats are strictly browsers. Livestock diseases have lower prevalence indices than those recorded in other areas of the country. The high variability in carrying capacity values could be attributed to differences in rangeland condition and to the different methods used for its estimation. The CP levels in forage could meet cattle requirements provided that a proper-stocking rate were used. The most promising species for land rehabilitation are Opuntia, Atriplex spp., Eragrostis curvula and Cenchrus ciliaris. Priorities for future research should include topics such as assessment of the carrying capacity for most of the areas and nutrient content of the components of livestock diet, the livestock intake values, the economic feasibility of the use of complementary feeds and the development of seeding technology for valuable forage resources as Trichloris crinita, among others.     

北方草原区主要群落类型表土花粉分析

建立花粉与现代植被的关系是利用地层沉积物中的花粉记录恢复古植被、古气候研究的基础工作之一。中国北方草原区39个表土花粉研究表明,蒿属、藜科是草原区花粉组合的主要成分,以禾本科为建群种的草原群落花粉组合以蒿属花粉为主,禾本科花粉多低于10%。禾本科花粉的低代表性可能与其分蘖繁殖、花粉产量低有关。草原区表土花粉浓度与植被盖度相关不明显。典型草原与荒漠草原花粉组合存在着明显的区别,典型草原区藜科花粉百分比一般低于25%,荒漠草原区一般高于25%。DCA分析表明,草原区针叶树、莎草科、石竹科花粉代表较湿润的环境,蒿、藜科、锦鸡儿、柽柳、白刺花粉代表较干燥的环境,阔叶树、禾本科、菊科、毛茛科、蓼科、豆科、唇形科(百里香)、虎榛子+榛、蔷薇科花粉代表的环境介于前两组之间。DCA分析用于草原区花粉组合研究具有较好的环境指示意义。     

Can severely fragmented patches of riparian vegetation still be important for arid-land bird diversity?

The vegetation of riparian habitats is often distinct from that of the surrounding landscape, thus representing unique habitat for a variety of biota. Although highly mobile, birds often exhibit distinct species assemblages associated with habitat. Therefore, degradation or removal of riparian habitat, particularly in arid environments, may threaten bird diversity. Along the Vaal River, South Africa, mining and agriculture have reduced natural riparian habitat to ca. 9% of its former extent in the Northern Cape Province. We surveyed bird assemblages within intact riparian, savanna and bush-thickened habitats along the Vaal River to ascertain their importance to bird diversity. Avian abundance and species richness did not differ between the three habitats. Species composition of riparian bird assemblages was significantly different to that of savanna and bush-thickened habitats, however, which were not significantly different from each other, and more species were characteristic of riparian habitat (17 species) than bush-thickened (seven species) or savanna (one species) habitats. Of three species reaching the south-western limit of their African distribution, all occurred in riparian habitat. Thus, despite its fragmented nature, the riparian vegetation on the Vaal still supports an important component of avian diversity, and a landscape-level approach is required to manage this relatively rich, arid-land, river.     

青藏高原东部高寒草甸区放牧家畜粪花粉组合特征及其环境指示意义

青藏高原是我国重要的高寒草甸分布区和畜牧区,畜牧活动对区域植被和生态的影响作用受到众多学者的广泛关注。通过采集青藏高原东部高寒草甸区共49个放牧家畜粪样品(牦牛粪样品30个、马粪样品11个、羊粪样品8个),并在区域植被调查的基础上,对粪样品开展了花粉分析。结果表明:这3种类型的粪样品花粉组合以莎草科(Cyperaceae)、禾本科(Poaceae)、龙胆科(Gentianaceae)、毛茛科(Ranunculaceae)花粉为主,可较好地反映区域植被群落特征,食草动物粪花粉中有少量谷物类禾本科花粉出现反映了当地居民少量耕种燕麦用来饲养牲畜。3种放牧家畜在采食习性上存在一定差异,牦牛采食的植物种类比羊和马略多,牦牛和马对杂草类禾本科和唐松草属植物的采食率低于羊,对龙胆科、菊科和蒿属植物的采食率明显高于羊。放牧家畜通过选择性采食适口性好的莎草科和禾本科优势植物种类直接影响高寒草甸区植被群落结构和功能。研究区粪花粉组合与表土花粉组合对比发现,乔木花粉和紫菀属花粉含量在表土样品中显著高于粪样品,而禾本科和龙胆科花粉含量在粪样品中高于表土样品,上述差异指示粪花粉更能反映区域植被群落特征,放牧家畜选择性采食导致粪花粉与表土花粉组合有所区别。本研究为评估青藏高原放牧家畜采食习性以及畜牧活动对区域植被的影响提供了新的研究思路和手段,也为今后在青藏高原开展考古遗址中保存的粪样品花粉分析,据此重建古植被群落和古人类生产活动信息,提供了重要的现代过程依据和借鉴资料。     

Interaction between wild camelids and livestock in an Andean semi-desert

Isoleg theory predicts that coexistence between two competing species can occur when the subordinate, generalist species uses alternative patches of resources as the density of the dominant specialist species increases. These models provide a framework to determine if a native species is subordinate to an introduced one, thus requires conservation considerations. We investigated habitat interactions between a wild neotropical camelid and domestic exotic ungulates in the Andean Puna semi-desert of South America. The Puna or Altiplano is an arid environment located in high altitudes, with cold and dry weather, and two main types of habitats, steppes and swamp areas. There was a high overlap of diets between species. Vicuñas were generalists in the use of habitat, but invested foraging effort in swamp habitats, while livestock were taken to swamp habitats by local people. Vicuñas and livestock were spatially segregated. Vicuñas used the preferred habitat less than expected from their foraging preference. We concluded that vicuñas and livestock coexist because vicuñas occupy sub-optimal habitats whilst livestock concentrate in the richest ones. Vicuñas can deal with poor habitats because they have several adaptations to live in deserts.     

秦岭陕西段南北坡植被对干湿变化响应敏感性及空间差异

秦岭位于暖温带与亚热带交界处,也是中国南北地理分界线,秦岭南北坡植被对干湿变化响应敏感性,可以折射出暖温带、亚热带地区主要植被类型对干湿变化的响应规律和机制特征,对深入理解不同气候带植被变化规律具有重要意义。本文利用秦岭山地32个气象站点的气象数据和MODIS NDVI时间序列数据集,探讨了2000—2018年秦岭南北坡NDVI和SPEI时空变化特征,揭示了南北坡植被对干湿变化响应敏感性及其空间差异。结果表明：① 2000—2018年秦岭植被覆盖情况整体显著改善,但秦岭南坡NDVI上升幅度和面积占比均高于北坡,南坡植被比北坡改善情况好。秦岭湿润化趋势不显著,但秦岭北坡湿润化速率和面积占比均大于南坡。② 秦岭北坡植被比南坡植被更易受干湿变化影响,秦岭北坡植被对3—6月总体干湿变化最为敏感,南坡植被对3—5月（春季）干湿变化最为敏感。秦岭南北坡植被主要受3~7个月尺度干湿变化影响,对11~12个月尺度的干湿变化响应较弱。③ 秦岭有90.34%的区域NDVI与SPEI呈正相关,大部分地区春季湿润化能促进全年植被生长;随海拔上升,植被对干湿变化响应敏感性先上升再下降,海拔800~1200 m是植被响应最敏感的海拔段,海拔1200~3000 m随海拔上升植被响应敏感性下降;南北坡草丛均是对干湿变化响应最为敏感的植被类型,但秦岭北坡多数植被类型对干湿变化响应比南坡敏感。     

Sensitivity and areal differentiation of vegetation responses to hydrothermal dynamics on the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi province

The Qinling Mountains, located at the junction of warm temperate and subtropical zones, serve as the boundary between north and south China. Exploring the sensitivity of the response of vegetation there to hydrothermal dynamics elucidates the dynamics and mechanisms of the main vegetation types in the context of changes in temperature and moisture. Importance should be attached to changes in vegetation in different climate zones. To reveal the sensitivity and areal differentiation of vegetation responses to hydrothermal dynamics, the spatio-temporal variation characteristics of the normalized vegetation index(NDVI) and the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index(SPEI) on the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains from 2000 to 2018 are explored using the meteorological data of 32 meteorological stations and the MODIS NDVI datasets. The results show that: 1) The overall vegetation coverage of the Qinling Mountains improved significantly from 2000 to 2018. The NDVI rise rate and area ratio on the southern slope were higher than those on the northern slope, and the vegetation on the southern slope improved more than that on the northern slope. The Qinling Mountains showed an insignificant humidification trend. The humidification rate and humidification area of the northern slope were greater than those on the southern slope. 2) Vegetation on the northern slope of the Qinling Mountains was more sensitive to hydrothermal dynamics than that on the southern slope. Vegetation was most sensitive to hydrothermal dynamics from March to June on the northern slope, and from March to May(spring) on the southern slope. The vegetation on the northern and southern slopes was mainly affected by hydrothermal dynamics on a scale of 3–7 months, responding weakly to hydrothermal dynamics on a scale of 11–12 months. 3) Some 90.34% of NDVI and SPEI was positively correlated in the Qinling Mountains. Spring humidification in most parts of the study area promoted the growth of vegetation all the year round. The sensitivity of vegetation responses to hydrothermal dynamics with increasing altitude increased first and then decreased. Elevations of 800 to 1200 m were the most sensitive range for vegetation response to hydrothermal dynamics. The sensitivity of the vegetation response at elevations of 1200–3000 m decreased with increasing altitude. As regards to vegetation type, grass was most sensitive to hydrothermal dynamics on both the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains; but most other vegetation types on the northern slope were more sensitive to hydrothermal dynamics than those on the southern slope.