Publication Date
1993
Description
Shrub invasion of tropical woodlands is reducing the viability of native ecosystems as well as the livestock industry, After shrub invasion, forage supply is reduced and over-grazing and soil erosion are exacerbated. We propose a non-equilibrium model of the system and use that model to develop hypotheses and design experiments to test both competition- and disturbance-based management regimes. This model proposes that disturbance in the form of burning is the primary limiting factor in excluding and limiting shrub seedling establishment and suggests that management decisions focus on maintaining adequate herbaceous biomass for a burning regime that limits woody plant success.
Citation
Brown, Joel R.; McIvor, John G.; and Ash, Andrew J., "Managing Woody Weeds in Grazing Ecosystems: Application for Tropical Woodlands of North-eastern Australia" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 12.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session52/12
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Managing Woody Weeds in Grazing Ecosystems: Application for Tropical Woodlands of North-eastern Australia
Shrub invasion of tropical woodlands is reducing the viability of native ecosystems as well as the livestock industry, After shrub invasion, forage supply is reduced and over-grazing and soil erosion are exacerbated. We propose a non-equilibrium model of the system and use that model to develop hypotheses and design experiments to test both competition- and disturbance-based management regimes. This model proposes that disturbance in the form of burning is the primary limiting factor in excluding and limiting shrub seedling establishment and suggests that management decisions focus on maintaining adequate herbaceous biomass for a burning regime that limits woody plant success.