Offered Papers Theme B: Grassland and the Environment
Publication Date
2005
Location
Dublin Ireland
Description
Mediterranean ecosystems have high seasonality in resource availability, high year-to-year rainfall variability, many annual plants in the forage and a long history of grazing and disturbance. These facts, and results of previous studies (Sternberg et al., 2000) suggested that stocking rates could be increased above those of traditional grazing. However, the long-term effects of intensive grazing on the vegetation were not fully known. This study aimed to evaluate the responses of plant functional types (PFT) and community structure to different regimes of cattle grazing in Mediterranean grassland, particularly at high stocking rates.
Citation
Sternberg, Marcelo; Henkin, Zalmen; Perevolotsky, Avi; Gutman, M.; and Ungar, Eugene D., "Plant Functional Types and Grazing Management in Mediterranean Grassland: An 11-Year Synthesis" (2005). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 198.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/20/themeB/198)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Plant Functional Types and Grazing Management in Mediterranean Grassland: An 11-Year Synthesis
Dublin Ireland
Mediterranean ecosystems have high seasonality in resource availability, high year-to-year rainfall variability, many annual plants in the forage and a long history of grazing and disturbance. These facts, and results of previous studies (Sternberg et al., 2000) suggested that stocking rates could be increased above those of traditional grazing. However, the long-term effects of intensive grazing on the vegetation were not fully known. This study aimed to evaluate the responses of plant functional types (PFT) and community structure to different regimes of cattle grazing in Mediterranean grassland, particularly at high stocking rates.
