Impacts of livestock grazing on a savanna grassland in Kenya

The dynamics of most rangelands in Kenya remain to be poorly understood.This paper provides baseline information on the response of a semiarid rangeland under different livestock grazing regimes on land inhabited by the Massai people in the east side of Amboseli National Park in Kenya.The data were collected from grasslands designated into four types:(1) grassland from previous Massai settlements that had been abandoned for over twenty years;(2) grassland excluded from livestock grazing for eight years;(3) a dry season grazing area;and (4) a continuous grazing area where grazing occurred throughout all seasons.Collected data included grass species composition,grass height,inter-tuft distance,standing grass biomass and soil characteristics.The results indicated that continuous grazing area in semiarid rangelands exhibited loss of vegetation with negative,long-term effects on grass functional qualities and forage production,whereas grassland that used traditional Maasai grazing methods showed efficiency and desirable effects on the rangelands.The results also showed that abandoned homestead sites,though degraded,were important nutrient reservoirs.     

Herbaceous vegetation response to controlled fire and postfire defoliation in a semiarid rangeland of Argentina

Semiarid rangelands of central Argentina are shaped by fire and grazing. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of controlled fire on aboveground biomass production of (1) herbaceous species as a whole group and (2) herbaceous species subclassified as desirable or undesirable perennial grasses and as herbaceous forbs at the end of two growing seasons after an experimental fire in a semiarid rangeland of central Argentina. The effect of the length of the resting period after fire on aboveground biomass production of desirable perennial grass species was also assessed; treatments consisted in defoliations at the end of the first and second postfire growing seasons, at the beginning and at the end of the second postfire growing season and only at the end of the second postfire growing season. Total biomass production of the burned treatments was higher than that of the control treatment, the difference being attributed to an increase in desirable perennial grass species biomass. This in turn was negatively affected by defoliation at the end of the first postfire growing season, suggesting that the beneficial effect of fire on biomass production might have been overridden by the stress imposed by an early defoliation. Overall, the results of the present study suggest that grazing should be held back for at least a whole year after the fire to achieve the pursued aim of increasing forage production by the use of controlled fire.     

Spatiotemporal patterns of the forage-livestock balance in the Xilin Gol steppe,China:implications for sustainably utilizing grassland-ecosystem services

Understanding the spatiotemporal patterns of the forage-livestock balance is imperative for regionally arranging animal husbandry production while ensuring sustainable grassland-ecosystem service use.The Xilin Gol steppe is an important native grassland resource in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,China.This study aimed to elucidate the dynamics of the forage-livestock balance in the Xilin Gol steppe during the period 2000–2015.We evaluated the forage production and corresponding livestock carrying capacity(LCC)in the growing seasons of 2000–2015 using remote sensing data and field surveys.The spatiotemporal patterns of the forage-livestock balance were then assessed at regional,city(including city,county and banner),and village scales using statistical and household survey data.The results showed that both forage production and LCC decreased in the Xilin Gol steppe from east to west.During the period 2000–2015,the regional average forage production and corresponding LCC fluctuated without following a distinct trend,but were consistent with the variations in precipitation.The forage-livestock balance varied with time,space,and scale.At the regional scale,steppes were overgrazed in the early 2000s,but a forage-livestock balance or even grazing potential was achieved in other years.At the city scale,approximately half of the region exhibited a"forage-livestock balance"since 2000.However,about half of the region still experienced overgrazing,which mainly located in the southwest sandy zones.Such changes may have been affected by the variations in grassland quality,forage production,compensation payment,and so on.We suggest a location-specific management scheme for grazing constraints,ecological compensation payment,and industry development to aid in harmonizing animal husbandry and environmental restoration,while promoting sustainable development goals by 2030.     

Grazing and heat stress protection of native grass by a sand-fixing shrub in the arid lands of northern China

Shrub species are used in restoration projects on dryland for their facilitation effects, which include environmental improvements and protection from herbivore feeding. Facilitation effects on forage grasses are potentially important in improving grazing capacity on rangelands. However, the morphology-dependent performance of benefactor plants in facilitating forage species growth and supplementation under moderate grazing intensity remains unclear. Here, our main purpose was to measure facilitation performance in terms of the survival of a native forage grass, Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. (Gramineae)., in accordance with the growth conditions of a sand-fixing benefactor shrub, Caragana microphylla Lam., in the Hulun Buir Grassland, northern China. Six study sites with patches of A. cristatum and C. microphylla were established at the foot of fixed sand dunes. At each site, five quadrats were set in places where C. microphylla coverage was 100% and A. cristatum grew among the shrubs (shrub quadrats), and another five were set where A. cristatum grew alone without C. microphylla (grass quadrats). We measured the morphological traits of C. microphylla and A. cristatum in all 60 quadrats, along with the soil water content and soil temperature. The data were compared between the shrub and grass quadrats by generalized linear mixed-effect models to assess the shrub's facilitation effects. We also used such models to elucidate the relationship between the average height of C. microphylla and the morphological traits of A. cristatum in the shrub quadrats. The maximum height, average grazed height, and the number of seed heads of A. cristatum were greater in the shrub quadrats than in the grass quadrats. The soil surface temperature was lower in the shrub quadrats. The maximum height and seed head number of A. cristatum were positively associated with the average height of C. microphylla. These results suggest that the grazing impact and heat stress were smaller in shrub quadrats than in grass quadrats, and that the degree of this protective effect depended on the shrub height. The shrub canopy seemed to reduce the increase in soil temperature and keep the grass vigorous. Livestock likely avoided grazing grasses in the C. microphylla patches because of the shrub's spiny leaves; only the upper parts of the grass stems (including the seed heads) protruding from the shrub canopy were grazed. The sand-fixing shrub thus moderates the grazing impact and soil temperature, and contributes to vegetation restoration and grazing system sustainability.     

Diet characteristics of wild sheep(Ovis ammon darwini) in the Mengluoke Mountains,Xinjiang,China

In most arid and semi-arid regions of the world, domestic livestock and native wildlife share pastures, and their competition for forage and habitat is thought to be a serious conservation issue. Moreover, unmanaged grazing by livestock can cause the population decline in wild ungulates. The diet of an animal species is a determining aspect of its ecological niche, and investigating its diet has been one of the initial steps in basic ecology study of a new species. To get an approximate understanding of the interspecific food relationships of argali(Ovis ammon darwini) between sexes, and sympatric domestic sheep and goats, we compared the diet compositions and diet-overlaps among these herbivores, i.e., male argali, female argali, domestic sheep, and domestic goats in the Mengluoke Mountains of Xinjiang, China by using micro-histological fecal analysis. Female argali, male argali, domestic sheep and domestic goat primarily consumed forbs(43.31%±4.86%), grass(36.02%±9.32%), forbs(41.01%±9.18%), and forbs(36.22%±10.61%), respectively in warm season. All these animals consumed mostly shrubs(female argali: 36.47%±7.56%; male argali: 47.28%±10.75%; domestic sheep: 40.46%±9.56%; and domestic goats: 42.88%±9.34%, respectively) in cold season. The diet-overlaps were relatively high among all species in cold season with values ranging from 0.88 to 0.94. Furthermore, Schoener's index measured between each possible pair of 4 herbivores increased from the warm season to the cold season. The results illustrate that the high degree of diet-overlap of argali and domestic livestock(sheep and goat) may pose a threat to the survival of the argali in cold season. From the viewpoint of rangeland management and conservation of the endangered argali, the numbers of domestic sheep and goats should be limited in cold season to reduce food competition.     

Modelling the impact of climate change on rangeland forage production using a generalized regression neural network: a case study in Isfahan Province,Central Iran

Monitoring of rangeland forage production at specified spatial and temporal scales is necessary for grazing management and also for implementation of rehabilitation projects in rangelands. This study focused on the capability of a generalized regression neural network(GRNN) model combined with GIS techniques to explore the impact of climate change on rangeland forage production. Specifically, a dataset of 115 monitored records of forage production were collected from 16 rangeland sites during the period 1998–2007 in Isfahan Province, Central Iran. Neural network models were designed using the monitored forage production values and available environmental data(including climate and topography data), and the performance of each network model was assessed using the mean estimation error(MEE), model efficiency factor(MEF), and correlation coefficient(r). The best neural network model was then selected and further applied to predict the forage production of rangelands in the future(in 2030 and 2080) under A1 B climate change scenario using Hadley Centre coupled model. The present and future forage production maps were also produced. Rangeland forage production exhibited strong correlations with environmental factors, such as slope, elevation, aspect and annual temperature. The present forage production in the study area varied from 25.6 to 574.1 kg/hm~2. Under climate change scenario, the annual temperature was predicted to increase and the annual precipitation was predicted to decrease. The prediction maps of forage production in the future indicated that the area with low level of forage production(0–100 kg/hm~2) will increase while the areas with moderate, moderately high and high levels of forage production(≥100 kg/hm~2) will decrease both in 2030 and in 2080, which may be attributable to the increasing annual temperature and decreasing annual precipitation. It was predicted that forage production of rangelands will decrease in the next couple of decades, especially in the western and southern parts of Isfahan Province. These changes are more pronounced in elevations between 2200 and 2900 m. Therefore, rangeland managers have to cope with these changes by holistic management approaches through mitigation and human adaptations.     

内蒙古阴山南部丘陵低山区草业工程的发展途径

本文根据内蒙古阴山南部丘陵低山区自然条件特征,论述了该区草场资源的类型、利用状况及存在问题,探讨了该区以建立人工草地及饲料基地为主的草业发展途径,以及相应采取的措施。     

Effect of defoliation by livestock on stem canker caused by Leptosphaeria maculans in Brassica napus

Brassica napus (canola, oilseed rape), an important break crop for cereals across the Australian wheat belt, is being rapidly adopted as a dual‐purpose (forage and grain) crop in mixed farming systems. Stem canker caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans is the most important disease of B. napus in Australia. The primary source of inoculum is airborne ascospores released during autumn/winter which coincides with the grazing of dual‐purpose crops. Field experiments were defoliated by sheep to determine the effect of grazing on blackleg stem canker severity at plant maturity in B. napus cultivars differing in their resistance level and grazed at different times. One cultivar was sown on different dates to investigate the impact of grazing at the same time, but at different growth stages. Defoliation by mowing was compared to defoliation by livestock. Similar amounts of dry matter remained after defoliation by machinery (0·66 t ha^?1) or livestock (0·52 t ha^?1). However, stem canker severity was higher in the grazed (40% of crown cross‐section diseased) compared with the mown (25%) treatment, which was higher than the ungrazed control (9%). Stem canker severity generally increased with grazing, but the increase was eliminated or reduced in cultivars with good resistance. Grazing during vegetative plant growth minimized the increase in stem canker severity compared with grazing during reproductive growth. Currently, cultivars with good L. maculans resistance are recommended in high disease situations. To avoid excessive yield loss in dual‐purpose B. napus crops due to L. maculans it is recommended that such cultivars are grown even in low‐moderate disease situations.     

Developing a prescription for brush control in the Chaco region,effects of combined treatments on the canopy of three native shrub species

Shrub encroachment is frequent in grazing lands in the Chaco region, Argentina. Fire is used by cattlemen to reduce the dominance of the shrub stands, improve forage standing biomass and quality, and enhance grazing accessibility. In this research, we assessed the combined effect of roller chopping?+?fire on the plant canopy of three native shrub species, Acacia gilliessi, Celtis ehrenbergiana, and Schinus bumelioides. We used a randomized design, with three factors, year, burn dates, and fine fuel load. Before the burn, the area received a roller-chopping treatment. Canopy volume reduction was assessed using, DifV?=??1*(V_i???V_a) and DifS?=??1*(S_i???S_a), respectively, where V?=?plant volume and S?=?sprout number. Suffixes i and a represent measurements taken before the roller-chopping treatment and one growth season after the fire, respectively. Fire intensity, headfire residence time, woody residues, and initial plant volume were evaluated as covariates. Results indicate a negative fire effect on canopy volume and sprouting. A. gilliesi was more susceptible to fire than the other two species. High fine fuel load and high fire intensity generated a severe effect on sprout number. The same trend was observed for coarse fuels. The canopy volume reduction was greater in A. gilliesi than the other species, reaffirming its high susceptibility to fire. Head fires were faster in 2009 than in 2008 and in the late than in the early burn dates. These results suggest that mechanical?+?fire treatments can be useful management tools for controlling shrub encroachment in the western Chaco.     

Cultivar‐dependent yield reductions in white clover due to simulated grazing and White clover mosaic virus infection are associated with differences in storage reserves and antioxidant metabolism

White clover is considered amongst the most important forage legumes in temperate agricultural systems. It contributes to increased quality of pastures through its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, providing high nutritional feed for livestock. White clover is host to the potexvirus White clover mosaic virus (WClMV), which is readily transmitted via animal trampling/grazing and mowing. WClMV infection may strongly impact white clover's performance, affecting its ability to compete with other plants in the pasture. Understanding the extent to which the virus influences white clover's growth and yield may contribute to improve pastoral management by pointing out the importance of stress factors on pasture plant performance and herbage yield. In the current study, the effects of WClMV infection and simulated grazing on white clover's fitness, oxidative damage and the induction of antioxidants were investigated. Two cultivars of white clover, Grasslands Huia and Grasslands Kopu II, were subjected to three harvests. In response to WClMV infection and grazing‐like cutting, white clover experienced oxidative stress as evidenced by the accumulation of lipid peroxides and protein carbonyls. Biomass accumulation, given as fresh weight and dry matter content, was also negatively affected. Both stresses induced an increase in ascorbate and glutathione levels and enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and glutathione reductase. Glutathione S‐transferase activity and the levels of reduced ascorbate and reduced glutathione were not affected by either stress.     

Ecology,distribution and control of the invasive weed Nassella trichotoma (Nees) Hack. ex Arechav.: A global review of current and future challenges

Nassella trichotoma (serrated tussock) is a highly invasive perennial C₃ weed from South America. It grows in most soil conditions, can resist fire and frost, and is unpalatable to grazing animals. Each plant can produce up to 140,000 seeds annually, and together, these characteristics make it a damaging landscape weed. It has diminished the agricultural carrying capacity of pastures in south-eastern Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and emerging populations have now been identified in Europe and the United States, and bioclimatic models suggest its distribution could significantly expand within these regions in the near future. Research into control methods for this weed has been explored, and these include herbicides applied alone and in combination, the establishment of plant competition, the introduction of seed mitigation fencing, grazing management and exclusion zones, specific biological management and alteration of soil composition. Currently, the most effective and widely used control method is the residual herbicide flupropanate (2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropanoic acid). This review will investigate the ecology, distribution, current control techniques and past research on this species, and make recommendations for future research and management.     

Is the temporary grazing exclusion a good management alternative for arid peatlands?

Highland peatlands are one of the most fragile ecosystems in the world. These ecosystems have vital nutritional importance for livestock, however previous research has indicated that intensive grazing could negatively affect these communities, requiring the application of temporary grazing exclusion to restore the health of the peatland. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of grazing exclusion on plant allocation strategy and carrying capacity of Oxychloe andina Phil. The plant traits of O. andina were quantified through measurements of specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf dry matter content (LDMC). We estimated the carrying capacity through livestock censuses and vegetational transects. SLA was found to be greater in grazed conditions than in ungrazed conditions (p?=?0.0194) at five months after the application of treatments. Additionally, greater productivity associated with greater LDMC in March was observed under conditions of grazing exclusion (p?=?0.0306). Production estimates of O. andina reached 4816?kg of dry matter (DM) distributed over an area of 9.84?ha, which was equivalent to 489?kg DM of O. andina DM ha^?1. Using DM production as a proxy of the peatland and considering the average vegetation cover of 70%, the peatland produces an estimated of 1370?kg DM year^?1. The temporary grazing exclusion enhanced the productivity of O. andina. However, depending on DM production in relation to grazing demand, there is a possibility of exceeding the animal load for this plant species.     

围栏禁牧对毛乌素沙地土壤理化特征的影响

过度放牧导致干旱半干旱区毛乌素沙地草地严重退化。通过禁牧措施排除放牧干扰,使草地自然恢复,作为一种低投入的措施在世界各国退化草地生态系统恢复中得到广泛采用。文中对毛乌素沙地三种不同管理类型(持续放牧、围栏5年和围栏16年)土壤理化性状进行了研究,研究结果显示:围栏禁牧5年对0～30cm土壤颗粒组成和容重没有显著影响;围栏禁牧16年0～10cm土壤容重显著小于持续放牧区,而极细沙、粉粒和粘粒含量显著高于持续放牧区;围栏5年显著增加了0～5cm土壤有机碳,而0～30cm的全氮均没有显著增加。围栏16年土壤有机碳较放牧区在0～5cm、5～10cm、10～30cm分别显著增加了231%、81%、55%;全氮含量的变化趋势与之相同。结果表明,围栏5年对土壤粘粉粒、全氮含量的恢复基本没有效果;围栏16年能显著增加表层土壤粘粉粒含量和有机碳、全氮,但土壤碳、氮水平还是在比较低的水平(有机碳:4.30g.kg-1;全氮:0.74g.kg-1),即长期禁牧可以逐渐改善土壤质地和提高土壤肥力。研究结果为半干旱退化沙质草地生态系统的恢复、重建及管理提供科学依据。     

Farmers' knowledge and perceptions of the stunting disease of Napier grass in Western Kenya

Production of Napier grass, Pennisetum purpureum, the most important livestock fodder in Western Kenya, is severely constrained by Napier stunt (Ns) disease. Understanding farmers' knowledge, perceptions and practices is a prerequisite to establishing an effective disease management approach. Using a random sample of 150 farmers drawn from Bungoma, Busia and Teso districts of Western Kenya, this study sought to: (i) assess farmers' perceptions and knowledge of Ns disease, including its effects on the smallholder dairy industry; (ii) record farmers' current practices in managing Ns disease; and (iii) identify Ns disease management challenges and intervention opportunities in order to develop an efficient integrated disease management approach. The majority (86·7%) of the farmers were aware of Ns disease and observed that it was spreading rapidly in the region, which was perfectly predicted by farmers' access to agricultural information (marginal effect = 0·164), indicating a need for extension platforms for knowledge sharing among the industry stakeholders. The disease had affected Napier grass yields so most farmers could not feed their livestock on the amounts they produced, and they were buying Napier grass. Those who relied on income from selling Napier grass received less due to loss in productivity. Milk production had reduced by over 35%. The cause of the disease was unknown to the farmers, with no effective disease management strategy available to them. An integrated disease management approach needs to be developed to fit within the mixed farming systems, supported by simple decision aids.     

放牧模式对高山草地蝗虫群落生物多样性的影响及其作用机制

为明确不同放牧模式对高山草地蝗虫群落生物多样性的影响及其作用机制,本研究调查牛放牧、羊放牧、牛羊混合放牧和休牧4种模式下高山草地植物群落特征、蝗虫群落组成和数量,分析蝗虫群落生物多样性特征,利用冗余分析方法分析植物群落与蝗虫群落的相关性,采用结构方程模型分析放牧模式对蝗虫群落的影响路径。结果显示,与休牧相比,牛放牧、羊放牧、牛羊混合放牧模式显著影响高山草地植物群落高度、植物群落覆盖度和禾本科牧草高度,但对植物群落生物多样性影响不显著。4种放牧模式下共捕获蝗虫13种,不同放牧模式下,高山草地的生物指示种不同。与休牧模式相比,牛放牧、羊放牧、牛羊混合放牧模式显著影响高山草地Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson优势度指数和Pielou均匀度指数;在牛放牧、羊放牧和牛羊混合放牧模式下,高山草地蝗虫群落Shannon-Wiener指数分别为0.36、0.35和0.29,高山草地蝗虫群落Simpson优势度指数分别为0.45、0.45和0.35,高山草地蝗虫群落Pielou均匀度指数分别为0.33、0.33和0.24。高山草地植物群落高度、覆盖度和禾本科牧草高度与红翅皱膝蝗Angaracris rhodopa、鼓翅皱膝蝗A.barabensis、青海痂蝗Bryodema miramae等呈负相关,与狭翅雏蝗Chorthippus dubius呈正相关。结构方程模型分析表明不同高山草地放牧模式主要通过改变植物群落高度间接影响蝗虫群落生物多样性。     

浑善达克沙地牧户经营与草地变化的实证分析

本文以浑善达克沙地牧户调查数据为基础,在草地畜牧业可持续发展理论指导下,通过对牧户经营现状以及草地变化状况的实证分析,明确了牧户经营基本特点、经营收入支出构成与草地资源变化特征,并提出调整畜种结构,适当增加牛的饲养比重;科学管理,提高牲畜出栏率;加强牲畜改良,提高良种比率;完善草畜平衡制度,加强监督、执法力度等对策。     

Responses of subshrub sagebrush rangeland in North-Western China to changes in livestock numbers and rainfall over 10 years (2004–2013)

Seriphidium transiliense, or subshrub sagebrush, is one of the most important forage resources for livestock in many arid lands, but such resources have been threatened by overgrazing for a long time. A 2013 vegetation survey of an original sagebrush rangeland (2400?ha) in the Tianshan Mountains revealed that nearly half of the area once under sagebrush has been replaced by annual species. This is due to the continual and rapid increase in livestock numbers over the past 30?years. Three smaller sites with different grazing scenarios: no grazing (Site N), a decline (Site 1), and an increase (Site 2) in livestock numbers, were selected to monitor recent changes (from 2004 to 2013) in vegetation biomass and the degree of dominance by sagebrush. Supplanting happened at Site 2 but little occurred at Site 1. There were significant differences between Site 2 and Site 1 in standing biomass in Spring and Summer, but no significant differences in Summer between Site 1 and Site N. The supplanting of sagebrush marks the completion of a dynamic process – in which rainfall plays a crucial role – of damage to sagebrush from heavy grazing in drought years and its rehabilitation by light grazing in some good years. Plant biomass loss was greatest when the land was first subjected to heavy grazing. Sagebrush tends to exist as a sole-dominant species rather than a companion species in sagebrush communities. This suggests that sagebrush continued to survive in pockets where grazing pressure had declined.     

分布型过牧:一个被忽视的内蒙古草原退化的原因

过牧已成为学界和决策部门普遍认可的草原退化原因之一。它是基于牲畜总数超过草原承载力这一简单逻辑来定义的。为了消除过牧,中国采取许多措施以降低牲畜数量和增加草料产量。但是,草原"整体恶化"的局面并没有改变。通过案例调查研究村一级的草原管理和牲畜分布方式,本文提出除了目前单纯强调牲畜总量的解释("数量型过牧")外,由于产权制度变化引起的牲畜分布变化也是导致草原退化的重要原因,本文将其定义为"分布型过牧"。     

Dryland agriculture and rangeland restoration priorities in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is threatened by rangeland degradation.A quantitative visual analysis of Google Earth Imagery was used to systematically locate,characterize and quantify the current extent of rangelands in Afghanistan degraded as a consequence of dryland agriculture.Climate data were used in conjunction with dryland agriculture locations to establish a climate envelope comprised by temperature and mean annual precipitation to create a geographical mask known to contain dryland agriculture.Within this mask we created a grid of 100 km2 cells that we analyzed individually to access dryland agriculture extent.Climatic limits to sustainable dryland agriculture and areas of high restoration priority were also assessed as was the distribution of rain-fed agriculture with respect to the location of traditional migration routes for extensive livestock producers.The extents of agriculture in Afghanistan,at both upper and lower elevations,correlated most closely with mean annual temperature(MAT) at the upper elevation limits,and with mean annual precipitation(MAP) at the lower elevation limits.In total,dryland agriculture comprised 38,980 km2 of former native rangeland.Conversion was highest in the northwestern,northern and northeastern provinces of Herat,Badghis,Faryab,Jawzjan,Sar-e-Pul,Samangan,Balkh,Baghlan,Kunduz,Takhar and Badakhshan,with the highest percentage of conversion occurring in Takhar.An MAP value of <400 mm is perceived by farmers as the current climatic limit to sustainable dryland agriculture across the northern regions of the country.Uder this MAP value,approximately 27,677 km2 of converted rangeland met the need for restoration priority.Climate projections indicate that Afghanistan will become warmer and drier in the coming decades.One consequence of this trend is that the MAP threshold of <400 mm to sustainable dryland agriculture will become obsolete in the coming decades.Restoration of currently converted rangelands is needed to restore critical grazing areas as is the adoption of prudent range management policies to prevent further land degradation and support a vital livestock industry.Food security is at stake as the conversion of rangelands to unsustainable rain-fed agriculture may leave large tracks of land unusable for either agriculture or livestock production.     

乌鲁木齐县天然草地毒害植物初步调查及防治对策

草地退化的主要原因是气候干旱、超载放牧、鼠害、毒害草入侵等,而毒害草入侵已对各种类型草地构成直接威胁。通过揭示乌鲁木齐县天然草地毒害植物种类的分布,为综合防治草地退化提供科学依据。根据采集的植物标本鉴定结果,该草地主要毒害植物约有46种,分属17科,29属,占该区植物种类的5%;毒害草的分布面积约3.27×10⁴ hm²,占草地总面积的9.83%。主要毒害植物为醉马芨芨（Achnatherum inebrians）、骆驼蓬（Peganum harmala）、苦豆子（Sophora alopecuroides）、马先蒿（Pedicularis sp.）等。这些毒害植物都是多年生草本,繁殖能力极强,生长迅速且植株高大,与矮小的牧草争光、争水、争肥,导致羊茅（Festuca ovina）和冰草（Agropyron cristatum）等牧草大片枯死。因此,根据草地的承载能力,确定理论放牧强度,通过减少家畜数量,采用划区轮牧制度等措施,为优良牧草创造良好的生长发育条件,抑制毒害草的生长,使其从种群中逐渐消失。