Effects of grazing and precipitation variability on vegetation dynamics in a Mongolian dry steppe

Bat-Oyun, Tserenpurev; Shinoda, Masato; Cheng, Yanjun; Purevdorj, Yadamjav

doi:10.1093/jpe/rtv083

Cited by 49 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…In line with this, Tucker, Praet, Boerwinkle, and Gaston () reported that during the favorable years of 1980–1982 (about 350 mm), average TDM was 1.0–1.3 t/ha and CC was calculated at about 5 ha/TLU (20 TLU/km 2 ); however, in 1983, when rainfall was very low (about 100 mm), TDM was below 0.2 t/ha and caused a serious shortage of feed and a high rate of livestock mortality. In another study (conducted at Mongolia), Bat‐Oyun, Shinoda, Cheng, and Purevdorj () reported that better TDM was obtained in wet conditions: 2008 (139.6 mm; 147.5 ± 26.5 g/m 2 ); 2004 (137.6 mm; 93.0 ± 11.9 g/m 2 ); 2005 (69.8 mm; 87.1 ± 9.0 g/m 2 ); and 2006 (72 mm; 44.9 ± 6.2 g/m 2 ). This indicates that biomass is highly reliant on annual rainfall amount of the area and hence our estimation for Harshin is not a fixed value rather might be changed depending on the rainfall amount of the year.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Estimating carrying capacity and stocking rates of rangelands in Harshin District, Eastern Somali Region, Ethiopia

Meshesha

Moahmmed

Yosuf

2019

Ecology and Evolution

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We conducted a quantitative assessment of forage biomass in Harshin district to determine its annual productive potential, carrying capacity, and stocking rates. The dominant Land Use and Land Cover include woodland (35.5%), shrubs (28.3%), grassland (10.6%), and bare land (25.5%). The region has browse‐rich shrubland that is edible to dromedary and goats, as well as massive grassland plains for sheep and cattle. The interannual rainfall variation is 16.5% which implies that the rangeland is a subsistence equilibrium system. The range of forage production is between 105 and 2,310 kg/ha, whereas the average productivity of the district is 742.6 kg/ha. The result indicates that the average carrying capacity of the district is 0.3 TLU ha−1 year−1 (4.9 ha TLU−1 year−1) while the existing stocking rate is 5.4 TLU ha−1 year−1 (0.18 ha TLU−1 year−1). This implies that the grazing intensity in the district is much higher than its carrying capacity (recommended rate), which has seen overstocking or grazing pressure excesses of 5.1 TLU/ha (7.2 cattle/ha). Thus, it clearly signals the risk of overgrazing in the district. If this trend continues, the grazing will not be sustainable and there will be shortage of forage as well as expansion of land degradation (due to overgrazing) in the near future.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Estimating carrying capacity and stocking rates of rangelands in Harshin District, Eastern Somali Region, Ethiopia

Meshesha

Moahmmed

Yosuf

2019

Ecology and Evolution

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“…In the early days of exclosure, empty community niches, due to livestock consumption, are gradually taken up by restoring vegetation (Zeng et al, 2017;Zou et al, 2016). The proportion of some palatable perennial grasses increased due to abundant nutrients and water resources (Batoyun, Shinoda, Cheng, & Purevdorj, 2016), but annual herbs trended to decrease (Wu et al, 2009;Zheng, Cao, & Wang, 2005). The colonization capacity of different plants influences the effects of vegetation restoration (Shang et al, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of different fencing regimes on community structure of degraded desert grasslands on Mu Us desert, China

Liu

Bian

Zhang

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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Grazing is one of the major anthropogenic driving factors influencing community structure and ecological function of grasslands. Fencing has been proved to be one of the main measures for rehabilitating degraded grasslands in northwestern China. However, data from combined empirical studies on the effects of different management regimes in desert grasslands are lacking. So we selected long‐term fencing (fenced since 1991), mid‐term fencing and seasonal fencing (fenced since 2002), and adjacent free‐grazing grasslands to investigate vegetation and soil properties on southwest Mu Us desert. Our results showed that fencing increased plant cover, height, aboveground biomass (AGB) of different plant life‐form groups, Shannon–Wiener diversity index, Evenness index, Simpson index, total soil nitrogen, total soil phosphorus, and soil organic matter, but decreased plant density, species richness, Richness index, soil bulk density, water content, and pH. However, 22–24 years of long‐term complete fencing might cause redegradation of vegetation and soil nutrients, characterized by the reduction of some vegetation properties, biodiversity, total AGB, and some soil properties. Seasonal fencing with 11–13 year was more beneficial to vegetation restoration than that with completely fencing measures. Our study suggests that appropriate artificial disturbances, such as seasonal fencing (winter grazing and summer fencing), should be used after long‐term fencing in order to maintain grassland productivity and biodiversity. These findings will help to provide theoretical support for vegetation restoration and sustainable management in grassland under grazing prohibition at Mu Us desert.

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“…within a year, month-to-month) precipitation variability are key drivers of forage production (e.g. field studies: Bat-Oyun, Shinoda, Cheng, & Purevdorj, 2016;Craine et al, 2012;Le Houérou, Bingham, & Skerbek, 1988;Yang, Fang, Ma, & Wang, 2008; modelling studies: Guan et al, 2014;Peng et al, 2013;Sloat et al, 2018). Some studies have also reported that precipitation was a proxy predictor of livestock population dynamics in extensive pastoral systems where long-term data series were used in the analysis (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate change and variability impacts on grazing herds: Insights from a system dynamics approach for semi‐arid Australian rangelands

Godde

Dizyee

Ash

et al. 2019

Global Change Biology

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Grazing livestock are an important source of food and income for millions of people worldwide. Changes in mean climate and increasing climate variability are affecting grasslands' carrying capacity, thus threatening the livelihood of millions of people as well as the health of grassland ecosystems. Compared with cropping systems, relatively little is known about the impact of such climatic changes on grasslands and livestock productivity and the adaptation responses available to farmers. In this study, we analysed the relationship between changes in mean precipitation, precipitation variability, farming practices and grazing cattle using a system dynamics approach for a semi‐arid Australian rangeland system. We found that forage production and animal stocking rates were significantly affected by drought intensities and durations as well as by long‐term climate trends. After a drought event, herd size recovery times ranged from years to decades in the absence of proactive restocking through animal purchases. Decreases in the annual precipitation means or increases in the interannual (year‐to‐year) and intra‐annual (month‐to‐month) precipitation variability, all reduced herd sizes. The contribution of farming practices versus climate effect on herd dynamics varied depending on the herd characteristics considered. Climate contributed the most to the variance in stocking rates, followed by forage productivity levels and feeding supplementation practices (with or without urea and molasses). While intensification strategies and favourable climates increased long‐term herd sizes, they also resulted in larger reductions in animal numbers during droughts and raised total enteric methane emissions. In the face of future climate trends, the grazing sector will need to increase its adaptability. Understanding which farming strategies can be beneficial, where, and when, as well as the enabling mechanisms required to implement them, will be critical for effectively improving rangelands and the livelihoods of pastoralists worldwide.

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Effects of grazing and precipitation variability on vegetation dynamics in a Mongolian dry steppe

Cited by 49 publications

References 51 publications

Estimating carrying capacity and stocking rates of rangelands in Harshin District, Eastern Somali Region, Ethiopia

Estimating carrying capacity and stocking rates of rangelands in Harshin District, Eastern Somali Region, Ethiopia

Effects of different fencing regimes on community structure of degraded desert grasslands on Mu Us desert, China

Climate change and variability impacts on grazing herds: Insights from a system dynamics approach for semi‐arid Australian rangelands

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