The effects of exclosures in restoring degraded semi-arid vegetation in communal grazing lands in northern Ethiopia

Rangeland degradation is a widespread problem throughout sub Saharan Africa and its restoration is a challenge for the management of many semi-arid areas. This study assessed the effectiveness of exclosures that have been protected from livestock from 5 to 15 years in restoring vegetation in northern Ethiopia. The species composition and diversity of herbaceous and woody plants were higher in the exclosures than in the grazed areas. Species richness responded positively to an increase in herbaceous productivity. The mean aboveground biomass measured inside the exclosures was more than twice that of the adjacent grazed areas and more biomass was produced from the young than the old exclosures. Stem height, canopy height, canopy cover, and browsing capacity of woody species were higher in the exclosures than in the grazed areas. Our study shows that degraded semi-arid vegetation is able to recover in a relatively short time when protected. Extended protection, beyond 8–15 years, reduces herbaceous species diversity and in one of the sites also the herbaceous biomass. Therefore, we suggest a slight shift in management where exclosures protected for longer periods may be moderately used by livestock.     

Effects of fire on rangeland vegetation in south-western Mendoza plains (Argentina): composition,frequency, biomass,productivity and carrying capacity

The effect of both a non-prescribed summer fire and grazing at high stocking rate following fire on plant community composition, the frequency of occurrence of bare soil, grasses and shrubs, species diversity and biomass of herbaceous forage were evaluated for three growing seasons after fire. Changes in community composition occurred as a consequence of both fire and grazing. Communities were dominated by unpalatable shrubs and grasses in unburned sites as a result of a long history of overgrazing. Fire contributed to a conversion of those shrublands to communities with a more favourable balance between woody and herbaceous species. The frequency of palatable grasses and herbaceous forage biomass increased by a factor ofc. 3 at the expense of woody vegetation. Grazing after fire had significant positive (i.e. decrease in undesirable grasses) and negative (i.e. increase in bare soil) effects.     

放牧强度对科尔沁沙地沙质草地植被的影响

为了研究科尔沁沙地沙质草地在不同放牧强度下植被特征的变化规律,比较了围封、中度放牧、重度放牧3种条件下的植被盖度、群落组成、物种多样性、地上/地下生物量和凋落物量等植被特征的变化特征。结果表明:(1)围封、中度放牧和重度放牧沙质草地的优势植物均为一年生植物,但围封和中度放牧中多年生禾本科植物优势度高于重度放牧,重度放牧沙质草地一年生植物所占优势度最大;(2)放牧强度对沙质草地植被盖度、地上生物量及凋落物量有显著影响。随着放牧强度的增加,植被盖度、地上生物量和凋落物量均降低;(3)围封、中度放牧和重度放牧沙质草地物种丰富度及多样性差异均不显著;(4)放牧强度和土壤深度及其交互作用均能影响地下生物量。随着放牧强度的增加,总的地下根系生物量减小。而重度放牧草地中, 3个土壤深度间地下根系生物量差异不显著。放牧改变了沙质草地植物群落的组成、极大降低了植被盖度和生产力;尤其是重度放牧急剧增加了一年生植物的优势、且对浅层根分布的减少影响最大。     

Effect of sheep grazing on rangeland plant communities: Case study of landscape depressions within Syrian arid steppes

The arid rangelands of Syria cover over half of the nation's landmass. Punctuating this landscape are broad, dry basins, or wadis, and gentle landscape depressions that exhibit localized elevated vegetation productivity and unique edaphic and hydrologic properties. Historically, continuous heavy grazing and aggressive agricultural activities resulted in excessive ecological degradation within these sensitive environments. Information is needed to determine the influence of livestock grazing on plant communities in landscape depressions and the impact that this has on ecosystem resilience. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effect of short-term sheep grazing on vegetation characteristics and plant community structure within depressions, and to provide recommendations for improved grazing management. Study plots were randomly located within paired topographic depressions located in northwestern Syria. Vegetation samples were collected along transects including plant biomass, plant density, herbaceous cover, and species diversity. In grazed plots, plant biomass was 49 g DM/m² compared to 234.4 g DM/m² in protected plots. Average plant density was 65 plants/m² in grazed plots compared to 1013 plants/m² in protected plots (P = 0.001). Herbaceous cover was 175% higher on protected sites compared to grazed plots. Average diversity (Shannon–Wiener index value) was 0.8 in grazed plots compared to 2.3 in protected plots. These results suggest that plant community structure will be impacted from short-term grazing and that a site's ability to positively respond to disturbance over time may be limited. We conclude that carefully planned grazing management should result in greater plant productivity and diversity.     

Seasonal changes in the relationship between species richness and community biomass in grassland under grazing and exclosure, Horqin Sandy Land, northern China

How species diversity–productivity relationships respond to temporal dynamics and land use is still not clear in semi-arid grassland ecosystems. We analyzed seasonal changes of the relationships between vegetation cover, plant density, species richness, and aboveground biomass in grasslands under grazing and exclosure in the Horqin Sandy Land of northern China. Our results showed that in grazed and fenced grassland, vegetation cover, richness, and biomass were lower in April than in August, whereas plant density showed a reverse trend. Vegetation cover during the growing season and biomass in June and August were higher in fenced grassland than in grazed grassland, whereas plant density in April and June was lower in fenced grassland than in grazed grassland. A negative relationship between species richness and biomass was found in August in fenced grassland, and in grazed grassland the relationship between plant density and biomass changed from positive in April to negative in August. The relationship between the density of the dominant plant species and the total biomass also varied with seasonal changes and land use (grazing and exclosure). These results suggest that long-term grazing, seasonal changes, and their interaction significantly influence vegetation cover, plant density, and biomass in grasslands. Plant species competition in fenced grassland results in seasonal changes of the relationship between species richness and biomass. Long-term grazing also affects seasonal changes of the density and biomass of dominant plant species, which further affects the seasonal relationship between plant density and biomass in grasslands. Our study demonstrates the importance of temporal dynamics and land use in understanding the relationship between species richness and ecosystem function.     

放牧对浑善达克沙地丘间低地植被群落及土壤的影响

为探究放牧对丘间低地植被群落及土壤的影响,分析了浑善达克沙地丘间低地在重度和轻度放牧下植被的地上生物量、物种重要值、物种丰富度、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数、Simpson生态优势度指数及0~10 cm土壤中黏粒、粉粒、砂粒、有机碳和全氮含量。结果表明：（1）植被地上生物量、土壤黏粒、粉粒、砂粒、土壤有机碳和全氮含量在不同放牧程度下存在极显著差异（P<0.01）,物种丰富度、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数在不同放牧程度下差异不显著（P>0.05）,Simpson生态优势度指数在不同放牧程度下差异显著（P<0.05）。（2）放牧区植被以禾本科为主,禾本科植被地上生物量占整个植被群落的54.88%~57.76%;重度放牧区植被地上生物量为63.59 g·m^-2,比轻度放牧区低26.61%。（3）羊草（Leymus chinensis）和狗尾草（Setaria viridis）是放牧区的优势种,其重要值依次为14.16%（重度放牧区）和19.10%（轻度放牧区）、13.40%（重度放牧区）和15.42%（轻度放牧区）,重度放牧下雾滨藜（Bassia dasyphylla）、克氏针茅（Stipa krylovii）和猪毛蒿（Artemisia scoparia）的重要值较显著高于轻度放牧区,而羊草则低于轻度放牧区。（4）重度放牧加剧了土壤沙漠化,使砂粒含量增加,草地生产力下降,土壤有机碳和全氮含量降低。     

Is the analysis of plant community structure better than common species-diversity indices for assessing the effects of livestock grazing on a Mediterranean arid ecosystem?

Grazing in arid Mediterranean ecosystems brings about changes in species diversity, but the best way to measure such changes is unclear. In this study we compared various methods in order to identify indicators that might be useful for the management and conservation of grazed arid Mediterranean ecosystems.Changes in community structure and composition were compared along a previously studied grazing gradient in Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park. Plant diversity was measured by calculating diversity (Shannon information index), evenness (Pielou index) and richness (species number). Rarefaction curves were used to measure plant species richness and the results were compared with traditional richness values. Community structure was measured as the percentage of bare ground and the coverage of overall perennial grasses, Stipa tenacissima L., perennial shrubs and annual plants. Our results showed that the proportion of bare ground, the cover of perennial shrubs and the relative abundance of S. tenacissima are good indicators of grazing effects on vegetation. Overall plant community structure was more sensitive to the grazing gradient than were the diversity indices. Finally, the adequacy of standardized methods for comparing species richness (i.e. rarefaction curves) along a grazing gradient are discussed.     

沙质草地放牧和封育下物种丰富度和生物量关系的季节变化

研究了科尔沁沙质草地放牧和封育下植被盖度、密度、丰富度与地上生物量关系的季节变化。结果表明:放牧和封育草地4月的植被盖度、丰富度和生物量均低于生长旺季8月,而4月植物密度要高于8月;封育草地生长季盖度高于放牧草地,6月和8月生物量高于放牧草地, 4月和6月植物密度则低于放牧草地。封育草地8月物种丰富度与生物量呈极显著的负线性关系（p<0.01）;放牧草地植物密度与生物量4月表现出极显著的正线性关系（p<0.01）、8月为极显著的负线性关系（p<0.01）。放牧草地优势植物糙隐子草4月的密度和生物量呈极显著的正线性关系（p<0.01）、8月为极显著的负线性关系（p<0.01）;黄蒿和狗尾草8月的密度和生物量均呈极显著的负线性关系（p<0.01）;猪毛菜4月和6月的密度和生物量呈极显著的正线性关系（p<0.01）。封育草地达乌里胡枝子、猪毛菜8月的植物密度和生物量呈极显著的正线性关系（p<0.01）。持续放牧和季节变化及其二者的交互作用对植被盖度、密度和生物量均有重要的影响（p<0.05）;放牧通过影响草地生长季中的优势植物密度变化和生物量积累,引起了草地植物密度和生物量关系的季节变化,也导致生长季物种丰富度和生物量无显著关系;封育草地植物的竞争导致了物种丰富度和生物量关系的季节变化。     

Camping impacts on vegetation and soil in a Hong Kong country park

The successful country parks programme in Hong Kong has attracted a heavy patronage and caused widespread degradation in recreational sites. Visitor impacts were studied in six camp sites representing three levels of use. Most changes in vegetation and soil, evaluated in absolute and relative terms, were statistically significant. Trampling resulted in loss of vegetation cover, and reduction in plant height and root biomass. Species composition shifted in response to increasing usage towards domination by a few trampling-resistant grasses (monocots) at the expense of sensitive woody dicots. The loss of vegetation and litter cover contributed to soil compaction, increases in bulk density, penetration resistance and bare soil cover, and decreases in void ratio and organic matter content. Structural damage led to reduction in water storage and infiltration rate. These effects have management implications with respect to the design and rehabilitation of sites to enhance durability and to relieve the excessive recreational burden.     

Changes in morphology and soil nutrient patterns of nebkhas in arid regions along a precipitation gradient

Nebkhas, discrete mounds of sand and vegetation, are a common landscape feature critical to the stability of desert ecosystems and supported by limited precipitation. Nebkha morphology and spatial pattern vary in landscapes, but it is unclear how they change along precipitation gradients in arid and semi-arid regions. In this study we determined morphology and soil nutrient patterns of nebkha from different regions of northwestern China. The objective of this study was to understand zonal differences among nebkhas and how morphological characteristics and soil nutrient patterns of nebkha change along a precipitation gradient in northwestern China. Our results shows that mean annual precipitation(MAP) had significant effects on morphological characteristics of nebkhas such as height, area, and volume which significantly decreased with an increase in MAP. MAP had significant positive effects on shrub cover and species richness of nebkha. Soil nutrients such as soil organic matter(SOM), total carbon(TC), total nitrogen(TN), and total phosphorus(TP) in the 0-10 cm layer increased with an increase of MAP, and soil nutrient content within nebkhas was higher than in inter-nebkha areas.We concluded that nebkhas are "fertile islands" with an important role in ecosystem dynamics in study regions. Further,MAP is a key factor which determined zonal differences, morphological, and soil nutrients patterns of nebkhas. However,disturbance, such as animal grazing, and planted sand-stabilizing vegetation accelerated the degeneration of nebkha landscapes. We recommend implementation of protective measures for nebkhas in arid and semi-arid areas of China.     

微生境尺度上放牧退化草原群落特征与土壤有机质的空间分异性

 格局和过程与异质性有关。以呼伦贝尔克氏针茅草原不同放牧强度下的演替群落为对象,开展群落植被空间分布格局及土壤有机质空间异质性研究。结果显示,不同放牧强度样地群落结构和群落种类组成存在明显差异。轻度放牧样地样方内有8种植物,群落优势种为克氏针茅（Stipa krylovii）;中度放牧样地样方内有12种植物,群落优势种为糙隐子草（Cleistogenes squyarrosa）;而重度放牧样地样方内只有7种植物,群落优势种为多根葱（Allium polyrhizum）。随放牧强度的增强,植被地上生物量及其变异系数逐渐降低;土壤有机质含量表现为轻度放牧>中度放牧>重度放牧,而其变异系数表现为中度放牧>轻度放牧>重度放牧。从植被地上生物量和土壤有机质含量变异函数分析来看,随放牧压力的增大,植被地上生物量空间自相关性增强,空间异质性变大;土壤有机质含量空间分布自相关性先增强,然后减弱,空间变异性先变大,然后变小。在10 cm×10 cm的微尺度上,重牧群落植被地上生物量和土壤有机质含量之间表现出明显的相关性（P<0.05）。     

Cattle grazing effects on annual plants assemblages in the Central Monte Desert,Argentina

Plant assemblages' dynamics have been studied to evaluate the influence of different environmental factors. The aim of our work was to assess the effect of a disturbance in the form of livestock grazing on annual plants, in a South American desert. We tested the exclusion of cattle grazing by comparing the composition of annual plants in three major vegetation types within a MaB Reserve in the Monte Desert of Argentina, with those of an adjacent grazed field. Sampling was conducted in two consecutive years that differed in precipitation. We established three sampling sites within each vegetation type at the reserve and the grazed field. Transects were set to assess plant cover, abundance, and richness. Theoretically, changes in diversity are explained by changes in one of its components: species richness. Species richness of annual plants was not different between the grazed and ungrazed sites. However, plant cover and diversity were lower in grazed sites, whereas abundance increased. Owing to a strong species-specific effect, we propose that it is evenness the main parameter involved in diversity dynamics in the heterogeneous vegetation mosaic of the Monte desert. Finally, vegetation types (spatial heterogeneity) and rainfall regime (temporal heterogeneity) greatly interacted with grazing effects. We endorse the idea that rapid responses of annual plant assemblages to changes in rainfall conditions coupled with herbivore control, might result in a restoration pathway for degraded arid landscapes.     

植被覆盖、放牧和季节对牧草种类组成和生物量的影响:以埃塞俄比亚南部Yabello牧场为例

Yabello牧场是埃塞俄比亚博拉纳的一个半干旱地区的牧场,目前面临着草场退化的严重挑战。植被覆盖的变化、过度放牧和季节性变化极大地影响了Yabello牧场的牧草组成和生物量。本文评估了植被覆盖、放牧和季节对Yabello牧场的牧草组成和生物量的影响。首先采用1 m×1 m的随机样方进行实验,根据植被覆盖类型和放牧变化选择样点,并对季节影响进行评估。使用SAS统计软件和MicrosoftExcel分析牧草组成、牧草高度和质量数据。本研究总共记录了26种草种,其中Chloris roxburghiana, Chrysopogon aucheri和Chrysopogon aucheri草种均表现出最高的平均单种覆盖高度和生物量产量。因此,建议将这些草种用于研究区域退化草地的恢复。研究结果还表明,植被覆盖类型、放牧和季节变化是决定牧草种类组成、牧草高度和生物量产量的关键因素。最后,研究结论还认为控制灌木丛植被并平衡放牧水平的可持续管理对于该地区的可持续牧草生产和生物多样性保护至关重要。     

Erosion-reducing cover in semi-arid shrubland

Vegetation and small features of ground cover are known to affect erosion, but the areal extent of small features is rarely studied because they are difficult to estimate for large areas. We studied the variation in components of cover, with 67 sites representing the regional variation of vegetation and topography, in northwestern México. Surface-level cover, mostly by litter and gravel, was skewed to higher values than canopy cover, and only about one third of inter-plant points had bare soil. However, litter mass was not closely related to the spatial measure of ground cover. Drip height for intercepted precipitation was always <0.5 m and most obstructions were branches, not leaves. Soil roughness increased with slope gradient, suggesting it resulted from erosion. Neither land form (elevation, exposure and slope) nor species associations were strong factors in determining cover. However, the height of the vegetation was a good predictor of surface cover, drip height and canopy cover. Applied to erosion with the RUSLE model, this ground study estimated cover was better by more than an order of magnitude compared to a remote perception index. The dynamics of cover at surface level in arid and semi-arid shrublands warrants more attention.     

Influence of cattle grazing on population density and species richness of granivorous birds (Emberizidae) in the arid plain of the Monte, Argentina

Cattle grazing is an important disturbance in the Monte plain, reducing grass biomass and rates of fruit setting. Grass seeds are the most important food for granivorous birds (Emberizidae) during winter. The objective of this study was to test whether granivorous bird populations (Emberizidae), grass seed production, and vegetation structure differed at sites with different intensities of grazing. Emberizid density and species richness were higher in the ungrazed site than in the two grazed paddocks. Seed abundance was also higher in ungrazed vs. grazed sites. Woody vegetation, that serve as safe nest sites, did not differ among treatments. Granivorous bird populations seemed to be affected by cattle grazing; however, the main mechanisms of this process remain unknown.     

Assessment of grazing effect on sheep fescue (Festuca valesiaca) dominated steppe rangelands, in the semi-arid Central Anatolian region of Turkey

In the semi-arid steppe rangelands of Central Turkey, Festuca valesiaca and Thymus sipyleus ssp rosulans have become the dominant species on degraded pastures. We hypothesized that decreases in species richness and abundance are correlated with increasing prevalence of these two species. Therefore, our objectives were to determine whether there are patterns in examined vegetation; how dominant species contribute to these patterns; and how patterns differ between grazed and ungrazed vegetation. We determined that protection from grazing increased species richness. Grazing significantly changed composition through decreasing total plant, forb, grass and F. valesiaca covers, while substantially increasing T. sipyleus cover. Topography, soil and grazing appear to impact the dominance of plant communities where F. valesiaca and T. sipyleus prevail. These two dominant species had a significant effect in shaping vegetation patterns. Based on regression analysis, alterations in species richness with changes in cover of forbs and shrubs were evident, and spatial heterogeneity of F. valesiaca and T. sipyleus indicated unstable vegetative patterns in heavily grazed pastures and successional changes in protected pastures. Our study results identify F. valesiaca and T. sipyleus as indicator species of vegetation suppression in condition assessments of degraded steppe rangelands.     

科尔沁沙质草地植物群落的放牧退化及其自然恢复过程

 为了了解不同放牧强度对我国北方沙质草地的影响及其封禁停牧后草地植被的自然恢复过程,我们于1992—2006年在科尔沁沙地开展了草地放牧和封育试验,分析研究了人类放牧活动对草地植被的影响,比较了不同程度退化草地恢复速度及其所受气候变化影响。研究结果表明:①在科尔沁沙地,随着放牧强度的增加,草地植被受放牧影响的程度会加重,但只有持续重牧才会导致植被的严重退化,而且持续重牧对植被盖度、高度和草地生产力的危害程度要大于对物种丰富度和多样性的危害程度;中度放牧可以导致植被盖度、高度、生物量的轻度下降,但对物种丰富度、多样性没有不良影响;对于退化草地而言,持续轻牧可促进植被的有效恢复;②封禁停牧以后,草地原受干扰程度不同,其恢复的相对速度也不同,表现为原草地退化越严重,其恢复速度相对越快,而且是植被高度、盖度、生物量的恢复速度要大于物种丰富度、多样性和频度的恢复速度;③草地植被的恢复演替明显受到气候变化的影响,暖湿气候有利于植被的恢复,暖干气候对于植被的恢复不利。     

河西走廊荒漠绿洲过渡带封育对土壤和植被的影响

在河西走廊荒漠绿洲过渡带,封育天然植被是植被群落恢复、防止绿洲沙漠化的有效措施。以流动沙丘作为对照(0年),对封育5年和15年的半固沙和固定沙丘植被群落以及土壤进行调查取样和分析。结果表明:随着封育年限增加,天然固沙植被群落生物多样性增加,灌木层和草本层植物密度、盖度和生物量都显著增加,灌木层盖度从10%增加到40%,草本层以一年生草本植物为主,物种从5种增加到8种,生物量从1 g·m^-2增加到13 g·m^-2。随着天然植被盖度增加,土壤表层沙土细粒化明显,沙土中黏粉粒含量显著增加,土壤质地由粗质沙粒向细质沙粒转变;随着沙土中黏粉粒成分的增加,沙土有机质、全氮、全磷含量也增加,灌丛下土壤养分含量高于灌丛间,“沃岛效应”明显。同时,在灌丛下表层土壤出现明显的盐分集聚现象,其中SO₄^2-、K⁺、Na⁺含量分别增加了6、3、17倍。在降水100 mm左右的荒漠绿洲过渡带,封育可以显著恢复固沙植被群落和提高沙土质地和养分。     

干旱半干旱区草原灌丛化的原因及影响-争议与进展

灌丛化作为全球干旱半干旱区草原普遍发生的现象,其定义为草原生态系统中灌木/木本的生物量、密度、盖度的增加以及草本的生物量、密度、盖度的减少。草原灌丛化是气候变化和人类活动多种因素综合作用的结果。过度放牧被认为是引发草原灌丛化的主要原因之一。最新的研究结果表明过度放牧并不能导致草原灌丛化,但过度放牧后实施休牧却改变了草本与灌木的种间作用,有可能导致灌木的扩张。灌木入侵草原长期以来被认为是草原的退化,结论来源于干旱区土壤沙化的情形,在沙化的灌木林中,土壤碳库被局限于灌木株丛及其周边,使草原的碳截留和储存降低。但最近的全球性集成研究表明草原中灌木覆盖率盖度增加对生态系统可以产生积极作用,灌木可以增加土壤水分的下渗,有利于生态系统的水分储存和和养分的转化(如加强氮的矿化过程)。草原灌丛化对生态系统结构和功能影响存在景观尺度和斑块尺度上的差异。进一步研究适应灌丛化过程的管理机制,综合不断变化的气候条件因素和地域因素,采取合理的草原管理策略,对于全球草原区生产具有极其重要的意义。     

煤矸石山不同植被恢复模式对土壤养分的影响——以山西省河东矿区1号煤矸石山为例

对2009-2011 年山西省河东矿区不同植被恢复模式下土壤养分进行了检测分析,并对其环境影响因子进行了研究.结果显示：(1) 随着矸石山植被恢复年限的增加,煤矸石山地温显著降低,植物多样性增加,盖度和生物量不同程度提高.(2) 经过3 年植被恢复的矸石山土壤速效磷和速效钾的改良效果达到全国土壤普查3 级水平;恢复土壤碱解氮和有机质含量为11.94 mg·kg^-1和7.69 g·kg^-1,改良效果不显著.紫穗槐模式对土壤速效磷的改良效果较好;紫穗槐-高羊茅-紫花苜蓿模式有利于碱解氮的积累;高羊茅-紫花苜蓿模式对速效钾和有机质的改良效果最佳.(3) 矸石山坡度和地温与土壤养分呈显著负相关;紫花苜蓿盖度与碱解氮、速效钾和有机质含量呈显著正相关;植被平均生物量和高羊茅盖度的提高有助于土壤养分的改良效果.煤矸石山植被恢复宜采取以草开路,在生态环境条件有所改善基础上,走草、灌、乔相结合的构建模式.