Effects of Livestock Grazing On The Ecology Of Sierra Meadows: A Review of The Current State of Scientific Knowledge To Inform Meadow Restoration And Management

Vernon, Marian E.; Campos, Brent R.; Burnett, Ryan D.

doi:10.1007/s00267-022-01634-7

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…Vernon et al (2019) define climate‐smart restoration as the process of boosting ecological functioning recovery of poorly conserved habitats but in a way that also promotes resilience to climate change pressures. Hence, when planning MTP restoration actions, our desired outcome is the recovery of specific and functional diversity of plant communities, as well as its persistence under present and future climate change.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We hypothesize that some physical actions like pond basin deepening and selection of species for reintroduction actions should be tailored to the current, and possibly more intense in the future, climate scenario. Vernon et al (2019) define climate-smart restoration as the process of boosting ecological functioning recovery of poorly conserved habitats but in a way that also promotes resilience to climate change pressures. Hence, when planning MTP restoration actions, our desired outcome is the recovery of specific and functional diversity of plant communities, as well as its persistence under present and future climate change.…”

Section: Sum Of Squaresmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How can Mediterranean temporary ponds benefit from disturbance? Challenges and lessons learned from vegetation management

Pinto‐Cruz,

Matono,

Almeida

et al. 2023

Restoration Ecology

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Mediterranean temporary ponds (MTPs) are seasonal wetland habitats usually flooded during the rainy season but drying out during the warmer months. Due to their biodiversity, uniqueness, and numerous threats, they are listed as a priority for conservation under the Habitats Directive. Despite all the efforts made so far, they are still in poor conservation status in the Mediterranean biogeographic region, making it urgent to define efficient conservation and restoration actions. In this work, we used two case studies to evaluate the conservation status improvement of MTPs located on the southwest coast of Portugal, following the implementation of different management techniques. Sampling was based on floristic surveys to assess plant richness and species frequency, namely of characteristic MTPs species. In the first case, we tested three management techniques (direct grazing, vegetation cutting, and biomass cut/removal, followed by topsoil plowing—simulating wild boar trampling and wallowing) in plots installed in three MTPs between 2017 and 2018. Plots subject to wild boar simulation disturbance showed higher species richness, higher frequency of characteristic species, and lower dominance of Agrostis stolonifera. In the second case, we upscaled this technique as an ecological restoration action by using it in 10 MTPs between 2018 and 2021. We observed a positive effect on the habitat's structure and conservation status, although the possible influence of recurrent drought periods in the last decade is discussed. This study provides insights into a rare wetland habitat based on lessons learned from hands‐on conservation actions, while also identifying new challenges and knowledge gaps.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sum Of Squaresmentioning

confidence: 99%

How can Mediterranean temporary ponds benefit from disturbance? Challenges and lessons learned from vegetation management

Pinto‐Cruz,

Matono,

Almeida

et al. 2023

Restoration Ecology

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“…In addition, wetlands are covered, at least periodically, by aquatic or hydrophilic vegetation, which is a remarkable feature of these ecosystems (Mitsch and Gosselink 2015). Wetlands provide critical foraging, nesting, and nursery habitats for resident or migratory species, such as waterbirds and shorebirds, fishes, frogs, and crustaceans, and play important roles in maintaining terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (Vernon et al 2019). Due to their regional importance or geographic expanses, some wetlands have been designated as important national or international sites (e.g., Ramsar sites) that are protected by legal instruments to ensure they are properly conserved and sustainably used (e.g., North American Wetlands Conservation Act; CONABIO-Mexico).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social perceptions of ecosystem services delivered by coastal wetlands: their value and the threats they face in northwestern Mexico

Cervantes-Escobar¹,

Ruiz‐Luna²,

Berlanga-Robles³

2023

Ethnobio Conserv

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Wetlands are recognized for their socio-environmental value and capacity to provide ecosystem services (ES) and are vulnerable to diverse threats, including those derived from climate change (CC). However, changes in ES delivery may not be recognized by ES users. To determine the extent to which coastal communities in northwestern Mexico are aware of the presence and importance of coastal wetlands, participatory workshops that followed the Metaplan methodology were held in four communities. The effects produced by extreme rainfall events (considered manifestations of CC) on wetlands and their ES were also analyzed. Four coastal wetland types (estuaries, saltmarshes, mangroves, and lagoons) were perceived to be the most important ecosystems, while poor fishing practices, mangrove deforestation, and pollution were identified as their main threats. Climate change, land use changes, and water mismanagement were also perceived as wetland threats. There were a few differences among communities that were mostly related to the number of ES and the ES categories identified. Nonetheless, saltmarshes and mangroves were identified as priority wetlands in the communities included in this study, and their ES were recognized. Most of the participants in all communities agreed on the main threats facing wetlands and their ES, particularly those related to CC and those that affect their livelihoods. Despite this awareness, regional coastal wetlands continue to decline. As such, participatory methodologies are needed to firmly establish the importance of wetlands within communities. In doing so, alternative actions based on traditional knowledge can be integrated into management actions, and novel solutions may be developed at the community level that can be scaled regionally.

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“…(Kattleman 1996). Meadow vegetation burning at high severity under uncharacteristically dry conditions can lead to higher likelihood of incision and channel degradation, lowering the water table and reducing the stable presence of meadow vegetation, a possibility that will become more likely due to continued climate warming (Ratliff 1985, Westerling 2016, Vernon et al 2019. The Sugarloaf Creek Basin experienced managed wildfire over approximately the same period as the Illilouette Creek Basin, yet saw very little increase in meadow area, emphasizing the fact that basin characteristics can influence the extent to which fire can encourage meadow restoration/succession.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Degraded meadows are characterized by shifts in vegetation away from hydric and towards mesic/xeric vegetation, incision of stream banks and reduction of hydrological connectivity to surrounding floodplains, increases in bank erosion, and reductions in net primary productivity (Viers et al 2013, Vernon et al 2019. There are significant consequences of meadow degradation when it comes to the ecosystem services a given meadow can provide.…”

Section: Degradation Of Sierra Nevada Meadowsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Remotely sensing the effects of managed wildfire programs on Sierra Nevada meadows

Hansen¹

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Californian mixed-conifer ecosystems are overstocked and at risk of burning at high standreplacing severity due to the confluence of a century of aggressive fire suppression and anthropogenic climate warming. Fire needs to be returned to the landscape, and naturally ignited wildfire managed for hazard reduction and ecological benefit is one important tool in accomplishing this. An understudied consequence of allowing naturally ignited fires to burn unabated in the Sierra Nevada is the possible post-fire proliferation of meadow ecosystems, with the managed wildfire program in Yosemite leading to a 160% increase in dense meadow area from 1972-2012. These SN meadows are capable of sequestering more carbon per acre than forests and are host to more biodiversity than any other ecosystem type in the state, making any change that they undergo deserving of close study. Another national park whose natural ecosystems have been the recipient of managed wildfire for over 60 years is Kings Canyon National Park. This thesis project uses remote sensing and object-based image analysis to differentiate between outcomes for frequently-burned versus fire-suppressed meadow ecosystems in a small study area in Kings Canyon National Park. Meadow area in the study region from 1976-2020 has decreased by 36.56% in areas that have received no fire while decreasing by only 4.18% in areas that have burned at least once, lending credence to the hypothesis that managed wildfire is improving the health of Sierra Nevada subalpine and montane meadows.

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Effects of Livestock Grazing On The Ecology Of Sierra Meadows: A Review of The Current State of Scientific Knowledge To Inform Meadow Restoration And Management

Cited by 5 publications

References 68 publications

How can Mediterranean temporary ponds benefit from disturbance? Challenges and lessons learned from vegetation management

How can Mediterranean temporary ponds benefit from disturbance? Challenges and lessons learned from vegetation management

Social perceptions of ecosystem services delivered by coastal wetlands: their value and the threats they face in northwestern Mexico

Remotely sensing the effects of managed wildfire programs on Sierra Nevada meadows

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