Plant water relations of thornscrub shrub species, north-eastern Mexico

As an approach to understand how diurnal and seasonal plant water potentials (Ψ) are related to soil water-content and evaporative demand components, the responses of six thornscrub shrubs species (Havardia pallens, Acacia rigidula, Eysenhardtia texana, Diospyros texana, Randia rhagocarpa, and Bernardia myricaefolia) of the north-eastern region of Mexico to drought stress were investigated during the course of 1 year. All study species showed the typical diurnal pattern of variation in Ψ. That is, Ψ decreased gradually from predawn (Ψ_pd) maximal values to reach minima at midday (Ψ_md) and began to recover in the late afternoon. On a diurnal basis and with adequate soil water-content (>0.20 kg kg⁻¹), diurnal Ψ values differed among shrub species and were negatively and significantly (p<0.001) correlated with air temperature (r=−0.741 to −0.883) and vapor pressure deficit (r=−0.750 to −0.817); in contrast, a positive and significant (p<0.001) relationship was found to exist with relative humidity (r=0.758–0.842). On a seasonal basis, during the wettest period (soil water-content>0.20 kg kg⁻¹), higher Ψ_pd (−0.10 MPa) and Ψ_md (−1.16 MPa) values were observed in R. rhagocarpa, whereas lower figures (−0.26 and −2.73 MPa, respectively) were detected in A. rigidula. On the other hand, during the driest period (soil water-content<0.15 kg kg⁻¹), Ψ_pd and Ψ_md values were below −7.3 MPa; i.e. when shrubs species faced severe water deficit. Soil water-content at different soil layers, monthly mean relative humidity and monthly precipitation were significantly correlated with both Ψ_pd (r=0.538–0.953; p<0.01) and Ψ_md (r=0.431–0.906; p<0.05). Average soil water-content in the 0–50 cm soil depth profile explained between 70% and 87% of the variation in Ψ_pd. Results have shown that when gravimetric soil water-content values were above 0.15 kg kg⁻¹, Ψ_pd values were high and constant; below this threshold value, Ψ declined gradually. Among all shrub species, A. rigidula appeared to be the most drought tolerant of the six species since during dry periods it tends to sustain significantly higher Ψ_pd in relation to B. myricaefolia. The remaining species showed an intermediate pattern. It is concluded that the ability of shrub species to cope with drought stress depends on the pattern of water uptake and the extent to control water loss through the transpirational flux.     

Effect of nitrogen amendments on microbial biomass, above-ground biomass and nematode population in the Negev Desert soil

Nitrogen amendments (0, 25, 50 and 100 kg NH₄NO₃/ha) were used to study the responses of primary production, microbial biomass and nematode population in desert soil. The study was conducted in the Israeli Negev Desert, a region characterized by low and randomly distributed rainfall. Over a 1-year study period, nitrogen amendments resulted in a significant (p<0·01) increase in soil microbial biomass. Soil microbial biomass also increased concomitantly with the increase in soil organic matter. The number of free-living nematodes in the soil increased with the increase in soil moisture, ranging from 43,000 individuals per square metre at the end of the summer to 351,000 individuals per square metre during the rainy season. No significant correlation was found between the nitrogen treatments and the nematode population, whereas a significant positive correlation was found between the nitrogen amendments and the above-ground biomass (r²=0·94, p<0·03). The nitrate proportion of the total soluble nitrogen in the soil also increased with the increase in soil moisture. This study provides baseline data for nitrogen amendments on soil microbial status, as well as insights into the importance of nitrogen in fertility in arid environments.     

Responses of photosynthesis and water relations to rainfall in the desert shrub creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) as influenced by municipal biosolids

Responses of photosynthesis (P_n), stomatal conductance (g_s), pre-dawn leaf water potential (Ψ_lp) and leaf water content (ω_l) of creosote bush to 10 rainfall events in the Chihuahuan Desert were investigated. Infiltration of rainwater was manipulated by applying municipal biosolids. The responses of P_nand water relation parameters to rainfall (>10 mm) were mainly dependent upon drought severity: (1) following a moderate drought, P_n, g_s, Ψ_lpand ω_lrecovered to corresponding values of irrigated plants within 2 days after a 23-mm rainfall; (2) Ψ_lpand g_sresponded to a 15-mm rainfall within 2 days, following a 25-day drought, whereas responses of P_nand ω_lwere delayed for several days; (3) responses of P_n, g_s, Ψ_lpand ω_lto a 14·7-mm rainfall were all delayed for several weeks following a 110-day drought, but the delay was longer in P_n, g_sand ω_lthan in Ψ_lp. Creosote bush responded to small rainfall events (approximately 6 to 8 mm) with an increase in Ψ_lp, but without noticeable changes in g_sand P_n, suggesting a strong stomatal control of water loss even though xylem embolism was reduced. Biosolids applied at high rates (3·4 and 9 kgm⁻²) decreased the soil water by 2 to 4 mm following rainfall events, and this in turn delayed and decreased the responses of P_nand water relation parameters to rainfall.P_nand g_swere linearly related to ω_land exponentially related to Ψ_lp. With the generally coincidental responses of P_nor g_sand ω_lto rainfall, we concluded that the responses of P_nand g_sto rainfall were dependent on leaf rehydration which resulted from restored hydraulic conductance following drought.     

Cocoons and hatchlings ofAporrectodea caliginosa(Savigny 1826) (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) in Benghazi, Libya

Field and laboratory studies were conducted during the period May 1993–April 1994 on the cocoons and hatchlings ofAporrectodea calignosa(Savigny 1826), a common earthworm found in Benghazi, Libya. Cocoon production started in August 1993 and continued until April 1994. A positive correlation between soil moisture (r=0.74;p< 0.05) and cocoon production, and a negative one between soil temperature (r=−0.85;p< 0.05) on cocoon production were found. Mean incubation time was 47 days. Some cocoons contained a single worm (single hatchling) whereas the majority of them (68%) contained two, the first hatchling and second hatchling. The rate of change of body mass (F=2.18;p>0.05) and the average body mass (F=1.25;p>0.05) of the single, first and second hatchlings were similar.     

Effect of fire on growth of three perennial grasses from central semi-arid Argentina

The effect of fire on growth of Piptochaetium napostaense, Stipa tenuis, and Stipa gynerioides, three important native perennial grasses in the semi-arid region of central Argentina, was evaluated under different fire temperature regimes: 300–400°C (low temperature regime), 500–600°C (high temperature regime) and no fire (control). Fire treatments were applied with a portable propane plant burner in April and December 1994, May 1995, and January 1996. Overall results indicate that during the first months after fire occurrence, average total green length of S. tenuis, P. napostaense and S. gynerioides tillers was severely reduced (p<0.05) by fire. This effect was more pronounced in plants burned with the high temperature treatment. The observed patterns of response to fire for height of tillers were very similar to those already reported for total green length of tillers. Towards the end of each growth cycle, the number of green leaves per tiller of burned plants of P. napostaense, S. tenuis, and S. gynerioides were similar or greater (p<0.05) than the number of green leaves on tillers of control plants. Relative growth rates for total green length and for height in tillers of burned plants of S. tenuis, P. napostaense and S. gynerioides were greater than in tillers of control plants. Our results indicate that fire affected differentially the growth of the studied species; S. gynerioides was more affected by fire than P. napostaense and S. tenuis. The species most tolerant to fire was P. napostaense.     

Relation between semen quality and rangeland diets of mixed-breed male goats

The impact of range plant toxins on the reproductive performance of female cattle is economically important to the livestock industry. Nevertheless, there is little information on the significance of toxicosis from range plants on semen quality in domestic ruminants. A total of 18 adult mixed-breed bucks under range conditions were used to evaluate the effect of diet composition (microhistological analysis of fecal samples) on some semen characteristics, and blood and fecal components in April and August. Forages in the buck diets were grouped into 2 classes: low or high levels of each plant in the buck diets. Bucks with higher proportion of Acacia greggii, Flourensia cernua and Lindleya mespiloides in their diets yielded 23–50% less (p<0.05) semen than bucks with low proportion of these shrubs in their diet. Sperm motility was reduced by 3–8 percent units (p<0.05) by high levels of five rangeland shrubs in the buck diets. Bucks consuming high levels of Acacia greggii showed significantly lower percentages of normal sperm (92±10 vs. 96±3; p<0.05) than bucks with low intake of this forage. High proportions of Rhus virens and Solanum elaeagnifolium in the buck diet increased the percentage of normal sperm (5 units, p<0.05) when compared to bucks with low utilization of these forages. Increased intake of Acacia greggii, Dalea bicolor, Opuntia rastrera, Larrea tridentata and Cowania plicata reduced percentage of live sperm by 5 units (p<0.05). Blood metabolites analysis showed that increased levels of Acacia greggii and Parthenium incanum were related to better nutritional status of bucks. Zn (−), Cu (−) and glucose (+) were significant predictors of semen volume (r²=0.30). Cu (−) and cholesterol (−) accounted for 37% of the variation in percentage of normal sperms. Forty-four percent of the variation in secondary abnormalities was accounted by Zn (+) and cholesterol (+), whereas fecal N, serum total proteins and creatinine positively affected percentage of live sperms (r²=0.37). These results indicate that semen quality and metabolic profiles of grazing bucks were sensitive to the ingestion of some Chihuahuan desert forages.     

Thermoregulation, water balance and plasma constituents in Sudanese desert sheep: responses to diet and solar radiation

The responses of desert rams to diet composition (concentrate vs. lucerne hay) in unshaded and shaded environments were investigated. The rectal temperature was higher (p < 0·01) with the concentrate diet but only in the afternoon, whereas the respiration rate was higher (p < 0·01) with the concentrate diet in unshaded and shaded environments during both morning and afternoon. Dry matter intake (DMI) was higher (p < 0·05) with the concentrate diet, while the ratio of water intake to DMI was higher (p < 0·01) with lucerne hay. Water gain through preformed and metabolic avenues and water loss through faeces and evaporative avenues were higher (p < 0·01) with the concentrate diet. With both diets, water turnover rate was higher (p < 0·05) in the unshaded environment. Feeding lucerne hay increased plasma total protein (p < 0·01) and albumin (p < 0·05) in unshaded and shaded environments. Plasma urea was higher (p < 0·01) with the concentrate diet. Plasma glucose level and plasma osmalality were higher (p < 0.01) and level of free fatty acids was lower (p < 0·01) with the concentrate diet in both thermal environments. Plasma cholesterol level was higher (p < 0·05) with the concentrate diet in the shaded environment, but lower (p < 0·05) in the unshaded environment. With lucerne hay, plasma cholesterol level remained the same in both environments.     

Biophysical properties and biomass production of elephant grass under saline conditions

Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) is a new fast-growing alternative forage crop. However, salinity is a major concern for its production in the arid south-western United States. This study was conducted in the arid Imperial Valley of Southern California to evaluate salt tolerance of elephant grass. Salinity treatments were created in field plots irrigated with water possessing an electrical conductivity (EC_iw) of 1·5, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 dS m⁻¹, respectively. Canopy spectral reflectance, temperature, plant height, leaf area index (LAI), chlorophyll-SPAD meter readings, and dry weights were measured over time. Results indicated that canopy reflectance in the near-infrared spectral region was reduced incrementally with increasing levels of salt stress. Canopy temperature increased with increasing salinity, especially at longer times after salinity treatment. Plant height and LAI were reduced with increasing salinity. Biomass accumulation was reduced incrementally with increasing salinity. About 50% yield reduction was found when EC_iw increased from 5 to 25 dS m⁻¹. The study shows that elephant grass is sensitive to salt stress, and relatively low salinity must be maintained to achieve a high rate of growth and biomass production.     

Influence of environmental parameters on the biomass development ofRuppia drepanensis populations in Doñana National Park: the importance of conditions affecting the underwater light climate

The development of submerged plant communities dominated byRuppia drepanensis Tineo in the brackish marsh of the Doñana National Park (SW Spain) was coupled to seasonal variation in environmental factors for two consecutive years. Plant biomass increased rapidly in early spring (March), with steady biomass yields (up to 100 g afdw m^–2) together with abundant flowering and fruiting in late spring (April–May). Wind-induced sediment resuspension and periphyton growth strongly influenced the light climate experienced by the submerged vegetation, while a phytoplankton effect was generally negligible. Development of the submerged vegetation coincided with a decrease in water extinction coefficient and in bicarbonate concentration. Thus, where dense macrophyte meadows develop, light climate probably is the limiting factor in the early spring, while temperature and bicarbonate levels are so by the end of the season. Interannual variation was found to be very high, both in abundance and distribution of the submerged vegetation, mainly because of differences in rainfall which influenced the inundation cycle. Grazing by waterfowl accounted also for this effect, as in dry years birds concentrate in the few wetlands still containing water.     

The effects of seasonal changes to in-stream vegetation cover on patterns of flow and accumulation of sediment

In-stream macrophytes are typically abundant in nutrient-rich chalk streams during the spring and summer months and modify the in-stream environment by altering river flows and trapping sediments. We present results from an inter-disciplinary study of two river reaches in the River Frome catchment, Dorset (UK). The investigation focused on how Ranunculus (water crowfoot), the dominant submerged macrophyte in the study reaches, modified patterns of flow and sediment deposition. Measurements were taken on a monthly basis throughout 2003 to determine seasonal patterns in macrophyte cover, associated changes in the distributions of flow velocities and the character and amount of accumulated fine sediment within stands of Ranunculus.Maximum in-stream cover of macrophytes exceeded 70% at both sites. Flow velocities were less than 0.1 m s^− 1 within the stands of Ranunculus and accelerated to 0.8 m s^− 1 outside the stands. During the early stages of the growth of Ranunculus, fine sediment mostly accumulated within the upstream section of the plant but the area of fine sediment accumulation extended into the downstream trailing section of the plant later in the growing season. The fine sediment accumulations were dominated by sand (63–1000 μm) with silts and clays (0.37–63 μm) comprising < 10% by volume. The content of organic matter in the accumulated sediments varied within stands, between reaches and through the growing season with values ranging between 9 and 105 mg g^− 1 dry weight. At the reach scale the two sites exhibited different growth forms of Ranunculus which created distinctive patterns of flow and fine sediment deposition.     

Precipitation impacts on mule deer habitat use in the chihuahuan desert of Mexico

In arid lands, food resources and predation risk become major decision factors in mule deer habitat use. We examined variables related to these two factors that might determine mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) habitat use in a warm desert at two spatial scales: the macro-habitat scale, which relates to home range decisions, and the micro-habitat scale, which relates to decisions made during foraging. Our prediction was that habitat use should primarily be explained by food variables and, to a lesser degree, by variables related to predation risk by pumas (Puma concolor). We mapped all deer pellet groups in 72, 1 ha quadrats in the Mapimí Biosphere Reserve and measured food and habitat variables over two years with different precipitation amounts. The area was used more intensively during the dry year. Under drier conditions, deer habitat use was explained primarily by food resource variables and secondarily by variables related with predation risk. During the wetter year, food resources became unimportant while cover and visibility explained deer habitat use. The data suggest that the tradeoffs deer are willing to make between food resources and predation risk in an arid environment are strongly affected by food resource levels, as influenced by precipitation.     

Effect of plant species on shrub fertile island at an oasis–desert ecotone in the South Junggar Basin, China

Shrub fertile islands are a common feature in arid ecosystems. To examine the effect of plant species on the spatial patterns of soil chemical and physical properties surrounding individual shrubs, two deciduous shrub species with different morphologies (Tamarix spp. and Haloxylon ammodendron Bge.) were studied at an oasis–desert ecotone in South Junggar Basin. Soil samples were collected under the shrub crown (canopy), at the vertically projected limit of shrub crown margin (periphery), and in the space between shrub crowns (interspace) at two depths, 0–10 and 10–20 cm, to analyze their physical and chemical properties. The results show that the fertile islands of Tamarix spp. are enriched with more soil nutrients (significantly higher, P<0.05; soil organic matter (SOM); total nitrogen (TN) and available nitrogen (AN); to a deeper depth (>20 cm) and in a larger area (beyond the canopied area) compared to that of H. ammodendron (significantly higher, P<0.05, soil nutrients detected only for AN; <20 cm in depth; smaller than the canopied area). Soil texture patterns surrounding the shrubs of the two species are even more different, with more coarse particles under the Tamarix spp. canopies compared to the interspace between shrubs but fewer under the H. ammodendron canopies compared to the interspaces. These variations are attributed to the difference in morphology of the two studied species: the Y-shaped crowns of H. ammodendron are less capable of capturing and maintaining litter under them than the hemispheroidal crowns of Tamarix spp., which leads to the less well developed fertile islands surrounding H. ammodendron shrubs.     

Using hyperspectral imagery to predict post-wildfire soil water repellency

A principal task of evaluating large wildfires is to assess fire's effect on the soil in order to predict the potential watershed response. Two types of soil water repellency tests, the water drop penetration time (WDPT) test and the mini-disk infiltrometer (MDI) test, were performed after the Hayman Fire in Colorado, in the summer of 2002 to assess the infiltration potential of the soil. Remotely sensed hyperspectral imagery was also collected to map post-wildfire ground cover and soil condition. Detailed ground cover measurements were collected to validate the remotely sensed imagery and to examine the relationship between ground cover and soil water repellency. Percent ash cover measured on the ground was significantly correlated to WDPT (r = 0.42; p-value < 0.0001), and the MDI test (r = − 0.37; p-value < 0.0001). A Mixture Tuned Matched Filter (MTMF) spectral unmixing algorithm was applied to the hyperspectral imagery, which produced fractional cover maps of ash, soil, and scorched and green vegetation. The remotely sensed ash image had significant correlations to the water repellency tests, WDPT (r = 0.24; p-value = 0.001), and the MDI test (r = − 0.21; p-value = 0.005). An iterative threshold analysis was also applied to the ash and water repellency data to evaluate the relationship at increasingly higher levels of ash cover. Regression analysis between the means of grouped data: MDI time vs. ash cover data (R² =0.75) and vs. Ash MTMF scores (R² = 0.63) yielded significantly stronger relationships. From these results we found on-the-ground ash cover greater than 49% and remotely sensed ash cover greater than 33% to be indicative of strongly water repellent soils. Combining these results with geostatistical analyses indicated a spatial autocorrelation range of 15 to 40 m. Image pixels with high ash cover (> 33%), including pixels within 15 m of these pixel patches, were used to create a likelihood map of soil water repellency. This map is a good indicator of areas where soil experienced severe fire effects—areas that likely have strong water repellent soil conditions and higher potential for post-fire erosion.     

The response of drainage basins to the late Quaternary tectonics in the Sicilian side of the Messina Strait (NE Sicily)

Despite more than 40 yr of research attributing temporal changes in streambank erosion rates to subaerial processes, little quantitative information is available on the relationships between streambank erodibility (k_d) and critical shear stress (τ_c) and the environmental conditions and processes that enhance streambank erosion potential. The study goal was to evaluate temporal changes in k_d and τ_c from soil desiccation and freeze–thaw cycling. Soil erodibility and τ_c were measured monthly in situ using a multiangle, submerged jet test device. Soil moisture, temperature, and bulk density as well as precipitation, air temperature, and stream stage were measured continuously to determine changes in soil moisture content and state. Pairwise Mann–Whitney tests indicted k_d was 2.9 and 2.1 times higher (p < 0.0065) during the winter (December–March) than in the spring/fall (April–May, October–November) and the summer (June–September), respectively. Regression analysis showed 80% of the variability in k_d was explained by freeze–thaw cycling alone. Study results also indicated soil bulk density was highly influenced by winter weather conditions (r² = 0.86): bulk density was inversely related to both soil water content and freeze–thaw cycling. Results showed that significant changes in the resistance of streambank soils to fluvial erosion can be attributed to subaerial processes. Water resource professionals should consider the implications of increased soil erodibility during the winter in the development of channel erosion models and stream restoration designs.     

Edible biomass production from some important browse species in the Sahelian zone of West Africa

Acacia senegal, Guiera senegalensis and Pterocarpus lucens, browse species important in the Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso were studied by the estimation of their phenological variation over time and the evaluation of edible biomass production, total and accessible directly to animals. Biomass production was also estimated using dendrometric parameters. All the three species started the foliation phase as soon as the rains started. A. senegal and P. lucens flowered before G. senegalensis and A. senegal lost leaves earlier. The fruiting phase lasted 6–7 months for all species. Accessible edible biomass varied according to the animal species, the plant species and the height of plants. G. senegalensis showed the highest proportion of accessible biomass, but P. lucens had higher total edible biomass. Goats browsing at higher height had more edible biomass at their disposal. The accessible edible biomass was weakly correlated with tree parameters, while crown diameter was the best parameter to predict total edible biomass production, with R² varying from 90% (G. senegalensis) to 98% (P. lucens) in log₁₀ transformation of dependent and independent variables. The single species models developed could be applied in similar agro-ecological zones, taking into account the height stratification of plants. Further investigations on others species are needed to be able to estimate total biomass available for browsing.     

Distribution of Calanus species off Franz Josef Land (Arctic Barents Sea)

The spatial distribution of Calanus species was examined near Franz Josef Land archipelago in August 2006 and 2007. Surface and bottom water temperatures exceeded the average multiannual values. Calanus species dominated the total mesozooplankton abundance and biomass, accounting for 818 ± 178 individuals m⁻³ (mean ± SE) and 803 ± 163 mg wet weight (WW) m⁻³, respectively, in 2006. In 2007, the values were much lower (153 ± 29 individuals m⁻³ and 192 ± 17 mg WW m⁻³, respectively), reflecting the weaker influence of warm Atlantic water that year. Calanus glacialis dominated the Calanus populations, contributing 95% and 60% of the biomass in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Older copepodite stages (CIV–CV) predominated in the C. finmarchicus (69% and 76%, respectively) and C. hyperboreus populations (80% and 77%, respectively), whereas young copepodites (CI–CIII) were predominant in C. glacialis (45% and 59%, respectively). A clear negative relationship between the average water temperature and the total Calanus biomass was observed in 2006, whereas a positive correlation between these parameters was observed in 2007. The distributions of three Calanus species off Franz Josef Land were mainly associated with hydrological conditions and circulation patterns.     

Comparative hydrological behaviour of two small catchments in semi-arid Zimbabwe

This paper describes and compares the hydrological responses of runoff, soil moisture and groundwater levels to rainfall events for two small semi-arid catchments over a 2-year period. Romwe received 1430 and 756 mm of rainfall in the 19999/00 and 2000/01 season, respectively. Mutangi received 756 and 615 mm of rainfall in the same years. Romwe generated 520 and 102 mm of runoff in the 19999/00 and 2000/01 seasons, respectively, while Mutangi generated 82 and 69 mm of runoff in the same years. The runoff response of the catchments was dominated by a relatively quick response to rainfall and with little or no significant contribution from regional groundwater or ‘old water’ sources. Total soil moisture storage to a depth of 120 cm was higher at Romwe than Mutangi for the entire study period reflecting the differences in the soil types. The groundwater level was closer to the surface and responded more quickly to rainfall at Romwe compared to Mutangi where water levels were between 12 and 16 m below the surface. There was a significant relationship between profile soil moisture and water table level at Romwe and none was observed at all in Mutangi. Significant (p<0.05) monthly rainfall runoff relationships were observed at both Romwe and Mutangi. At Romwe and Mutangi 91% and 76% of the runoff variation was accounted for by rainfall in the 1999/00 season, respectively. The rainfall–runoff relationship were different at Romwe for the two seasons, it was higher in the 1999/00 season than the 2000/01 season when 91% and 49% of the runoff variation was due to rainfall, respectively. The relationships were almost similar at Mutangi during the two seasons.     

Tiller recruitment and mortality in the dryland bunchgrass Eragrostis curvula as affected by defoliation intensity

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of moderate (14 cm) vs. severe (7 cm) defoliation on tiller recruitment and mortality within the interior and on the perimeter of weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) tussocks. Tiller number per marked shoot within the interior was significantly greater in plants defoliated at 14-cm stubble height than at 7-cm stubble height (2·37 vs. 0·43, p<0·05) 28 weeks after defoliation; likewise, tiller number per marked shoot was also greater on the perimeter of tussocks in the higher stubble than the lower stubble defoliation treatment (5·10 vs. 2·03, p<0·05). Tiller natality increased significantly 4 weeks after defoliation except for tillers cut to 7-cm stubble height within the interior of tussocks where tiller natality reached a peak at 4·5 weeks after defoliation. During the later stages of canopy development, tiller numbers per marked shoot gradually declined as tiller mortality increased. Tillers began senescing 13 weeks after defoliation, and the senescence rate was 52% greater in the 7-cm stubble height treatment than in the 14-cm stubble height treatment (2·33 vs. 1·53, p<0·0001). Within the interior of tussocks, number of the marked tillers more than doubled under the 14-cm stubble height treatment, whereas the plants lost 57% of the monitored tillers under the 7-cm stubble height treatment. We concluded that the central dieback process in weeping lovegrass is accelerated by severe defoliation.     

Saxicolous and riparian vegetation of a piedmont in central-western Argentina

Four plant communities were determined through floristical and non-metric analysis: a Dolichlasium lagascae community in crevices on sunny rock outcrops; a Cercidium praecox ssp. glaucum community on sunny slopes; an Artemisia mendozana–Adesmia trijuga community on shady slopes; and a Eupatorium buniifolium community on dry riverbanks. The discriminant function analysis showed that the first group corresponds to the sunny rock outcrops discriminated by Na content (r=0·53, p<0·05), the second group is for sunny slopes discriminated by electric conductivity and the third for shady slopes–riparian discriminated by the (Ca+Mg) content (r=0·54, p<0·05). A pattern of primary succession on outcrop surfaces is proposed.     

The comparative influence of past management and rainfall on range herbaceous standing crop in east-central Argentina: 14 years of observations

Impacts of six initial treatments and rainfall on maximum above-ground herbaceous standing crop were assessed in 1978 and annually from 1984 to 1992 in rangelands of east-central semi-arid Argentina. Treatments applied in 1977–1978 were: (1) untreated control; (2) burning; (3) herbicide application (shrub control); (4) Old Field 1 or (5) Old Field 2 (areas previously exposed to different degrees of mechanical soil disturbance for 25 years); and (6) overgrazing. Domestic herbivores were excluded thereafter from all treatments until 1993.During 1984–1992, total above-ground herbaceous standing crop often remained greater in both Old Fields than in the other treatments; highest mean values were 2336 and 1640 kg ha⁻¹for Old Field 1 and Old Field 2 treatments, respectively. Lowest total above-ground standing crops in all treatments (M = 296–475 kg ha⁻¹) occurred in 1989, the year with the lowest annual rainfall (257·5 mm). Desirable perennial grasses contributed most (44–100%) to total herbaceous standing crop in all treatments during the study period. Most of this standing crop was made up of the cool-season grassesPiptochaetium napostaense, Poa ligularis, Stipa clarazii, S. papposaandS. tenuis. Annual rainfall was closely related (p< 0·05) to total herbaceous and desirable perennial grass standing crops in most treatments, and accounted for most of the variation in herbage production between years.