Effects of short-term intensive trampling on Karoo vegetation§

Plant growth forms likely respond differently to disturbances such as trampling. We investigated the trampling effect of 1 600 sheep encamped at night in temporary enclosures (kraals, corrals or pens), which were relocated weekly. To examine trampling effects and regeneration rates of the various growth forms we compared vegeta- tion composition, canopy cover and foliar nitrogen inside and outside kraals, between one and 12 months after the trampling event. We predicted that inside kraals (1) succulent and non-succulent shrubs would be affected more severely than grasses, (2) perennial plant cover would decrease compared with annual plant cover, (3) foliar nitrogen concentrations would increase, and (4) vegetation recovery would be affected by time and rainfall since last use of the kraal. Grasses and shrubs (succulent and non-succulent) responded differently to kraaling. Density and diversity of succulent and non-succulent shrubs decreased, while annual and perennial grass cover inside and outside kraaling areas did not differ. Foliar nitrogen was greater inside kraals. Both succulent and non-succulent shrub cover increased over time after kraaling irrespective of the rainfall. Our study demonstrates that short-term intensive trampling and dunging creates nutrient-rich, heterogeneous patches that may enhance restoration of degraded production landscapes.     

放牧牛羊对云贵地区禾草/白三叶草地群落稳定性的影响

禾草/白三叶(Trifolium repens)草地是中国南方喀斯特地区主要刈牧地之一,探究不同家畜放牧下禾草/白三叶草地植被构成和群落稳定性,可一定程度揭示其植被演替特征。本研究定量分析了多年放牧牛(grazing cattle pasture,GC)、放牧羊(grazing sheep pasture,GS)的禾草/白三叶草地群落特征、物种多样性、生物量构成及群落稳定性。结果显示:1)草地死物质量及植物物种数为GC>GS,植物物种Simpson指数为GS>GC;2)草地禾草[多年生黑麦草(Lolium perenne)、鸭茅(Dactylis glomerata)及原生禾草]、原生双子叶(马鞭草科、车前科、酢浆草科和十字花科)及适口性中等植物地上生物量组分为GC>GS,播种白三叶地上生物量组分为GS>GC;且GC草地地上生物量以禾草为主(77.20%),GS草地地上生物量以禾草(51.79%)和豆科(28.02%)为主;3)草地土壤K含量为GC>GS;4)GC草地植物种Raunkiaer频度直方图呈反J型,群落演替度(37.08)比GS草地(45.45)的低。研究认为,GC草地群落处于相对稳定状态,而GS草地群落处于更高演替阶段,牛放牧更利于禾草/白三叶草地群落稳定性和物种多样性的维持。因此,放牧时可实行牛、羊混牧制,或牛、羊轮牧制,以提高禾草/白三叶草地的稳定性和生产力。     

高原鼢鼠干扰对高寒草甸植物群落特征的影响

高原鼢鼠的采食造丘活动影响草地植被群落组成和结构,造成草地植被的空间异质性——土丘和植被斑块。本研究以冬季牧场中不同高原鼢鼠种群密度干扰下的植被性状为研究对象,探索植被群落组成结构对高原鼢鼠不同种群密度干扰的功能性响应。结果表明:植被高度随着鼢鼠种群密度的增加呈显著增加趋势(P<0.05),群落盖度和禾草丰富度呈显著下降趋势(P<0.05),而物种丰富度及杂类草丰富度随鼢鼠种群密度的增加表现出单峰曲线格局。地下总生物量随鼢鼠种群密度的增加呈显著下降趋势(P<0.05),杂类草生物量则表现出相反的趋势,而禾草类生物量表现出先降低后增加的趋势。由此可见,适宜密度的鼢鼠干扰有利于物种丰富度的提高,而低密度和高密度的鼢鼠干扰有利于草地中禾草生物量的提高。     

草种配置对高寒人工草地群落多样性和生产力的影响

本试验在黄河源区河南县研究了不同播种物种数（1,3,6,9,12,15）草种组合的人工群落配置对植被群落多样性和生产力的影响,旨在找到最优的群落配置组合,以期为今后人工草地的科学管理和退化草地快速恢复提供理论依据。研究结果表明：与对照相比,人工草地建植第1年和第2年植被地上生物量均显著（P<0.05）增加,其中3个草种组合的地上生物量最高。各处理物种丰富度、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数﹑均匀度指数在第1年和第2年之间差异不显著（P>0.05）,其中9个草种组合的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数最大。人工草地建植第1年播种物种数与地上生物量呈显著正相关（P<0.05）,而在第2年无显著相关关系。播种物种数与物种丰富度﹑Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和均匀度指数在2018年和2019年均呈显著正相关（P<0.05）。在2018年,地上生物量与物种丰富度和Shannon-Wiener多样性指数均无显著相关关系,在2019年,线性关系表现为极显著负相关（P<0.01）,地上生物量和均匀度指数在2018年和2019年均呈显著负相关（P<0.05）。综上,在高寒人工草地建植初期,以生产力为主时,建议选择3物种组合;以多样性为主时,建议选择9物种组合。     

玛曲人工草地群落特征及多样性分析研究

通过对玛曲人工草地（一年生燕麦地、两年披碱草地）、天然草地和撂荒地的群落特征分析比较,结果表明：天然草地的群落中优势种为早熟禾（Poapretensis）、披碱草（Elymusdahuricus）,优势度分别为0．798、0．627;一年生燕麦地的杂草主要有香薷（Elsholtziaciliate）、蓬子菜（Galiumverum）、微孔草（Microulasikkimensis）,优势度从大到小依次为：0．204,0．142和0．082;两年生披碱草地中,披碱草也处于优势地位,但杂草产量占群落总产量的6％以上,必须进行适当的除杂;撂荒地地上生物量从839g／m^2降为62g／m^2,生产能力降低,因此必须进行封育;分析表明,物种的多样性指数与物种均匀度指数呈极显著正相关（P〈0．01）,与丰富度指数呈显著正相关（P〈0．05）,丰富度指数与均匀度指数呈极显著正相关（P〈70．01）。     

松嫩草地植物功能生态学研究

随着功能生态学的发展,植物功能生态学研究越来越受到重视.以松嫩草地为对象,调查该区域植被状况及功能性状特征,通过控制试验研究刈割、施氮、植被低矮稀疏化等干扰条件下羊草(Leymus chinensis)性状和羊草群落特征的变化,探讨在自然和干扰条件下物种丰富度、功能群丰富度、物种多样性指数、功能性状多样性与群落地上生物量的关系. 松嫩草地66种草本植物7个叶片性状特征表明:叶片厚度变异系数最大,比叶面积、叶片氮含量、叶片磷含量、叶绿素含量和类胡萝卜素含量之间存在显著的正相关关系;叶片干物质含量与叶片磷含量没有显著的相关关系,但是与其他叶片性状成显著的负相关关系;叶片厚度与叶片干物质含量和比叶面积成显著的负相关关系,但是与其他叶片性状不相关.方差分析表明,叶片干物质含量、比叶面积、叶片厚度、叶片氮、叶片磷含量在4个功能群(多年生根茎禾草、多年生丛生禾草、多年生杂类草、1年生或2年生植物)间差异显著,叶绿素含量和类胡萝卜素含量在各个功能群间差异不显著.多年生根茎禾草和多年生丛生禾草有较高的叶片干物质含量和较低的比叶面积、叶片厚度和叶片氮和磷含量.松嫩草地草本植物叶片氮和磷含量分别为22.7±0.9 mg·g^-1和1.8 ±0.0 mg·g^-1,氮磷比为13.0,氮相对缺乏. 松嫩草地植物群落生产力高,群落饱和度低,优势种在群落中占的比例大.多年生根茎禾草和多年生杂类草群落物种丰富度最高,各群落间功能群丰富度没有显著差异,1年生或2年生植物群落地上生物量最高.地上生物量与多样性关系表明,株高、叶面积和叶片氮含量等功能性状多样性比物种丰富度、功能群丰富度、均匀度和辛普森指数等多样性指标能更好的预测生产力的变化,支持质量比假说,草地管理中应集中于优势种的管理. 秋季或春季不同时间刈割,对群落植物物种丰富度和功能群丰富度都没有显著影响.群落高度性状与地上生物量有显著的正相关关系,物种丰富度、功能群丰富度和功能群多样性与地上生物量关系不显著. 氮添加对羊草的叶绿素a和b含量、类胡萝卜素含量、叶片氮含量、叶片干物质含量、比根长都有显著的作用;羊草的叶绿素a和b含量、类胡萝卜素含量、叶片氮磷含量、叶片干物质含量、比茎重、株高与羊草的地上生物量都有显著的相关性.氮添加处理对羊草群落的物种丰富度和功能群丰富度均没有显著的影响.氮添加当年,地上生物量随着物种丰富度和功能群丰富度的增加有减少的趋势,但是不显著. 不同高度和密度立枯物处理间羊草的比叶面积、比茎重、植株高度、叶片数、叶绿素a和b含量、类胡萝卜素含量及叶片氮含量都有显著的差异.随着植被低矮稀疏化,群落物种丰富度和地上生物量均有降低趋势.植被高度变化对羊草性状、群落特征的影响要大于植被密度.     

牦牛放牧模式对西藏高山嵩草草甸群落特征的影响

利用样方法对西藏高山嵩草（Kobresia pygmaea）草甸群落进行实地调查,分析了2010-2012年不同强度的牦牛放牧试验对植物群落动态和地上生物量的影响,以期为高寒牧区退化草地的恢复及草地高效利用提供理论指导。结果表明：适度放牧能提高物种多样性、丰富度、均一度和地上生物量,降低植物群落盖度;重度放牧降低植物群落的多样性和生物量;重度延迟放牧能缓减重度放牧对草地的不良影响;相关分析结果表明,植物群落盖度与均匀度、丰富度、植物密度、多样性和地上生物量成正相关。高山嵩草草甸的功能群随着放牧强度的增加而显著变化,其优势功能群多年生根茎型牧草高山嵩草和苔草（Carex moorcroftii）、多年生丛生型牧草紫花针茅（Stipa purpurea）的盖度和地上生物量随着放牧强度增加而下降。     

The Rise of Conservation in South Africa: Settlers,Livestock and the Environment 1770–1950 — William Beinart 2003

The hump-back relationship between species diversity and productivity predicts highest species richness at intermediate levels of biomass, and low species numbers in least and most productive habitats. Sodic patches of semi-arid savannas are considered ‘nutrient hotspots’ by producing high-quality forage. The impact of biomass reduction (due to overgrazing) and accumulation (in the absence of herbivores) on herbaceous species richness and diversity is still unknown for these hotspots. We tested the relationship between biomass and herbaceous species richness/diversity in savanna sodic sites across varying biomass levels obtained through different herbivore exclosures. LOWESS and quadratic regression analyses revealed a unimodal species richness/ diversity–biomass relationship for biomass <2 500?kg ha?1. Species richness and diversity in the sodic zone peaked at 1 300?kg ha?1, followed by a steady decline. At biomass levels exceeding 2 500?kg ha?1, i.e. where herbivores have been excluded for 10 years, the decline in species richness and diversity stabilised. Despite many debates surrounding unimodal relationships and the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, this study confirmed a peak in species richness and diversity at intermediate biomass levels in a herbivory-adapted ecosystem. Herbivores drive ecosystem heterogeneity and enhance herbaceous species richness and diversity by keeping biomass at intermediate levels (i.e. <2 500?kg ha?1 for this sodic site).     

Seasonal changes in pasture biomass and grazing behaviour of cattle in the Guinea Savanna agroecological zone of Ghana

Spatial and temporal availability of pasture vegetation and cattle grazing behaviour in three seasons (intermediate season [IM], peak season [PS] and dry season [DS]) in the Guinea Savanna agroecological zone of Ghana was examined. The frequency of occurrence of three species groups (grass, legume and forbs) and biomass yield was estimated in 1 m² plots. The grazing behaviour of 18 cows from six herds was monitored over three days per animal. Season affected the prevalence of species groups with grasses being most dominant in all seasons. Most grazing lands were heavily grazed in IM and DS but moderately grazed in PS. Whilst harvested rice fields represented the most frequently grazed land in DS, fallowed hard pans were used in PS and IM. Biomass yield was highest in DS owing to the contribution of crop residues from harvested farmlands. Carrying capacity was linked to biomass production and averaged 0.55 in DS, 0.38 in PR and 0.21 in IM. Animals spent less time outside the kraal in PS than IM and DS. Walking time was higher in DS than in IM and PS. Less than 20% of the time on pasture was spent on resting, watering and social interaction across seasons.     

Assessing the impacts of domesticated versus wild ungulates on terrestrial small mammal assemblages at Telperion Nature Reserve,South Africa

Grazing by large mammals alters vegetation physiognomy, consequently changing habitat suitability for small mammal communities. We investigated the response of terrestrial small mammals to grazing by wild and domesticated ungulates at the boundary of a protected area (Telperion Nature Reserve) and surrounding cattle ranches in Mpumalanga, South Africa over two seasons. Fifteen paired grids were set on either side of the boundary fence at which small mammals were trapped in Sherman live traps placed flat on the ground. A total of 11 760 trap nights resulted in the capture of 187 animals belonging to 14 species (11 rodents, two shrews and one elephant shrew). The small mammal communities in grasslands grazed by domesticated or wild ungulates were similar in abundance, species richness, diversity and demographic parameters, likely due to the fact that vegetation structure of the two grazing systems was also similar. We used generalised linear models to show that rock and grass cover were plausible predictors of small mammal abundance in this system. Rock cover showed a positive relationship with small mammal abundance whilst grass cover showed a negative relationship. Our observations suggest that at the scale of our study and with the current stocking densities, wild and domesticated ungulates have similar impacts on the small mammal community.     

Ethics,legislation and profit as determinants of conservation farming

Grazing behaviour and diet selection of cattle were studied on a communally grazed floodplain and its adjacent wooded uplands in western Zambia to identify the interaction between basic herd management practices, foraging behaviour and body condition of cattle. On average, the cattle spent nine hours and 29 minutes (SD = 27 minutes) outside the kraal, with a range from about 8 hours in the dry season to almost 11 hours in the wet season, depending on the morning temperature and milking time. A significant (P<0.001) linear relationship between the time spent outside the kraal and time spent grazing was found. The Echinochloa spp.-Vossia cuspidata grass association was intensively grazed for the largest part of the year (44% of the total grazing time). During the flood season cattle grazed largely along the floodplain edge instead of the adjacent woodlands, which resulted in a negligible intake of browse. Body condition of all categories of cattle was significantly lower during the flood season. It was concluded that during this season cattle should graze more hours daily than they presently do, to minimise the drop in body condition as much as possible, and to make more intense use of the forage resource of the woodland.     

氮肥对大通河上游退化草地的影响

为提高祁连县高寒草地草场牧草产量、有效恢复轻度退化草地,采用随机区组试验,以尿素作为氮源,探讨不同氮肥水平对祁连地区轻度退化草地群落结构、地上植物量以及土壤养分的影响。结果表明：不同施氮水平处理的高寒草地植物群落物种丰富度、多样性指数均减少,植被盖度、高度显著增加（P<0.05）,地上植物量与禾草地上植物量显著提高（P<0.05）。随着施氮量增加全磷含量、速效氮含量、有机质含量呈逐渐增加趋势,而速效磷呈先增加后减小趋势,pH值呈逐渐减小趋势。结论：施氮对高寒草地土壤养分有改善作用,150 kg·hm^-2为最适施肥量。     

Grass species composition,yield and quality under and outside tree crowns in a semi‐arid rangeland in south‐western Zimbabwe

Abstract

A two‐year study was conducted in lightly grazed areas of Matopos Research Station, Zimbabwe, to evaluate the impact of widely spaced trees on understorey grass composition, yield and quality. The study trees were Terminalia sericea and Acacia karroo. Ordination techniques using grass density and biomass as indices separated quadrats according to soil type but not grass species according to understorey or open areas or according to tree species. Grass yield under tree crowns was similar to open areas, in contrast with most reports where understorey areas had higher yields. The high understorey grass quality that has been reported from savanna areas exhibiting grass composition differences was not expressed. Selective grazing of palatable perennial grasses growing in association with tree crowns and their eventual replacement by low‐yielding and less‐palatable grasses that normally grow in open areas is proposed as an explanation of the unique tree‐grass interaction scenario of this study. In areas where this replacement has occurred, recovery may require management interventions.     

黄土高原弃耕地植被演替及其对土壤养分动态的影响

弃耕地演替过程中植被和土壤的互动效应对于植被恢复与重建具有重要意义。本研究选择黄土高原不同演替阶段的弃耕地(弃耕时间分别为1、6、12、22年),连续2年调查各弃耕地的物种丰富度、群落地上生物量,测定0~60 cm土层的土壤容重、pH值、土壤有机质和全氮含量,分析弃耕地演替过程中群落地上生物量、土壤理化性质的变化过程和趋势以及植被土壤之间的互动效应。结果表明:1)弃耕地演替过程中,弃耕早期(1~6年)为茵陈蒿+白莲蒿的杂草群落,演替中期(6~12年)为赖草群落,演替中后期(12~22年)为无芒隐子草+短花针茅群落。随着弃耕时间的增加,物种丰富度呈先减少后增加的变化趋势,地上生物量持续增加。2)土壤有机质和土壤全氮在0~10 cm土层中最高,表现出明显的表聚效应;弃耕时间和土层深度对土壤有机质和土壤全氮产生极显著的影响,弃耕时间与土壤有机质和土壤全氮之间均表现为负相关关系,土壤有机质和土壤全氮具有较为明显的时间效应。3)群落地上生物量与弃耕时间呈显著正相关关系,与土壤有机质和土壤全氮二者之间呈负相关关系,弃耕时间对群落生物量产生正效应,土壤有机质和全氮对群落生物量产生负效应。     

科尔沁沙地草甸草场退化的原因与植物多样性变化

对科尔沁沙地典型草甸植被主要群落的优势种群在22年间的消长和物种多样性的变化进行了研究,分析了造成草场退化的主要原因。结果表明,科尔沁沙地草甸植被已出现了严重退化现象,物种多样性和均匀度下降,生态优势度上升。牧草产量和质量显著下降,优良牧草数量减少,适口性较差和有毒有害植物增加。造成草甸草场退化的主要原因有气候的暖干化、生境干旱化、土壤盐渍化和过度放牧,其中过度放牧是造成草甸植被退化的直接原因。分析了过度放牧对群落组成、生物量、物种多样性以及对建群种根茎中营养物质含量的影响等。     

Does Stocking Rate Manipulation Promote Pasture Sustainability in the Humid Tropics?

Stocking rate manipulation was examined as a means of improving plant diversity (as a measure of pasture sustainability and forage value) in a native grass pasture used for dairy production in the humid tropics of Veracruz, Mexico. Given that environmental impact reduces biotic diversity, plant phylogenetic and functional diversity should decline with increased stocking rate. Stocking rates of 2, 3, and 4 cows · ha^?1 and a rotational grazing plan of 3 d of occupation and 27 d of rest per pasture were applied continuously over 5 yr. Across 200 quadrats in each of two replicate paddocks per treatment, observed species richness, phylogenetic diversity (average taxonomic distinctness based on species presence/absence), and functional diversity (life-cycle duration and growth habit) were assessed. Most species were forb/herbs and forb/herb-subshrubs. Perennial species declined with increased stocking rate (F = 16.36, 0.05 > P > 0.02) while annual-perennial species increased (F = 76.88, 0.01 > P > 0.005); the proportion of annual species was least prominent and did not differ significantly. Observed species richness and phylogenetic diversity did not differ significantly with stocking rate. The correlation between functional diversity for life-cycle duration and phylogenetic diversity was significant and positive, suggesting that plant communities were predominantly assembled randomly from the surrounding species pool rather than through interspecies interactions acting to naturally filter immigrant species, thus leading to more opportunistic and undesired species. Although grazing pressure was not sufficient to alter indices or production measures, they did reveal shifts that may precede further pasture decline, indicating pasture sustainability was not being achieved. These rapid assessment methods permit monitoring for early warnings of reductions in pasture sustainability and forage quality for cattle.     

围栏封育对昭苏马场春秋草场植被恢复的影响

对昭苏马场未封育与封育春秋草场植被进行了调查分析,结果表明:未封育草地植物优势种是亚洲百里香和草原苔草,封育草地植物优势种是针茅和草原苔草;未封育草地植物种类为28种,群落盖度为62.8%,地下植物量1 452.7 g/m2;封育后草地植物种类为31种,群落盖度和地下植物量分别增加了41.0%和34.5%;禾本科草类的重要值由未封育的17.6%增加到封育后的35.2%,豆科和菊科草类基本保持稳定,封育后藜科和杂类草的重要值比未封育时减小了13.5%;封育草地的丰富度指数和多样性指数均大于未封育草地,而均匀度指数则相反。     

不同年限封育对黄土高原典型草原地上植被的影响

为了揭示自然恢复过程中植被动态变化规律,以黄土高原典型草原为研究对象,采用野外调查与室内分析相结合的方法,分析不同年限封育(0、5、15、23和32年)对草地植被特征、物种多样性和群落演替动态变化的影响。结果表明,随着封育年限的增加,枯落物量和厚度呈递增趋势,群落盖度呈先增加后降低趋势,群落密度呈递减趋势,地上生物量和禾草地上生物量均呈先增加后降低的趋势,且均在封育23年草地达到了峰值。不同年限的封育对Simpson多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数影响不显著(P0.05)。地上植被的物种丰富度呈先增加后降低趋势,且在封育15年达到峰值。地上植被群落封育演替的一般模式为杂类草生长阶段→本氏针茅(Stipa bungeana)逐渐占优势阶段→本氏针茅稳定发展阶段。     

Different Fire Frequency Impacts Over 27 Years on Vegetation Succession in an Infertile Old-Field Grassland

We examined the effect of fire on vegetation composition with the use of an experiment with four different fire frequencies (annual, 2-yr interval, 4-yr interval, and an intended control with no burning) over a 27-yr period in an infertile, old-field grassland at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, located in Minnesota, United States. We measured the plant species' aboveground biomass in permanent plots in 1983, 1987, 1991, 2000, and 2010. None of these fire frequencies, even after 27 yr, had a large impact on the vegetation composition. The plant functional groups' responses to fire frequency were consistent with their respective dominant species. The most abundant C₄ grass, little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium Michx.), did not change in biomass with fire frequency over time. The biomass of the introduced, invasive grass, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) decreased significantly with increasing fire frequency, but this decrease did not result in change to the rate and trajectory of vegetation change. Bush clover (Lespedeza capitata Michx.), the only legume in the community, strongly increased with more frequent fire, but only after 20 yr. Species richness and litter mass decreased significantly with increasing fire frequency. These small fire-induced vegetation changes contrast with large fire-induced vegetation changes in fertile grasslands. Management strategies using fire in infertile grasslands can lower Poa abundance; however, increased fire also decreased overall plant diversity.     

锡林郭勒不同草原类型群落生物量及多样性研究

物种多样性和生物量是表征草地生态系统数量特征的两个重要指标,深入探讨物种多样性和生物量的变化,为草原生态系统的物种保护和生产力维持提供理论依据.本文以锡林郭勒草原为研究对象,利用样方法对草甸草原、典型草原和荒漠草原三种草原类型的植被特征进行调查,分析不同草原类型植被的地上生物量和物种多样性变化及二者与环境因子之间的关联...