Human-scale structural heterogeneity induced by grazing in a Mediterranean woodland landscape

Henkin, Zalmen; Hadar, Liat; Noy‐Meir, Imanuel

doi:10.1007/s10980-006-9042-x

Cited by 27 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Intensification of cattle grazing may pose an additional threat to montado biodiversity as shrub clearance and cultivation of biodiverse permanent pastures are required to expand grazing areas with highly nutritional pastures, the consequence being landscape simplification (Henkin et al 2007). Diversity of land uses can provide access to different resources, in what is described as an effect of complementation or supplementation depending on the resources' substitutability (Dunning et al 1992).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of management options on mammal richness in a Mediterranean agro-silvo-pastoral system

et al. 2011

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Non-flying mammal richness and distribution were studied in a landscape matrix consisting of a highly managed agro-silvo-pastoral system dominated by a cork oak woodland (montado) to test the predictions of the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis (IDH). Sampling consisted on detection of mammalian signs of presence, along with the use of scent stations and small mammal live-trapping. Results were analyzed using generalized linear models, considering land uses, landscape metrics and grazing intensity and gave support to the predictions of the IDH. Pure forestry and intensive agricultural uses showed lower species richness than the silvopastoral system, whilst landscape heterogeneity and riparian corridors were shown to be most beneficial to mammal species richness, with small mammals being directly and negatively affected by grazing intensity. The increasing use of the montado for raising cattle has led to landscape homogenization by means of grazing and shrub clearance for pasture cultivation and this, combined with incremented stocking rates, constrains species richness. In this landscape context, watercourses assume a relevant role as patches of suitable habitat providing shelter, food, movement corridors and dispersion routes for mammals. Recent options of fencing forest patches with good forest natural regeneration or with a high diversity/density of Mediterranean maquis, and restoring degraded watercourses, both to improve landscape heterogeneity, appear to positively affect the mammal community. This is a current challenge in terms of monitoring and research.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of management options on mammal richness in a Mediterranean agro-silvo-pastoral system

et al. 2011

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“…The subjective scenic or recreation value of a site for people is also likely to depend on its heterogeneity or diversity. For instance, a Mediterranean landscape with a mixture of open spaces and scattered trees was preferred in a survey over both fully open landscapes and densely wooded landscapes (Henkin et al 2004(Henkin et al , 2007. For these kinds of benefits the methodology will have to be modified by developing up-scaling equations that take into account spatial heterogeneity and patterns.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating multiple benefits from vegetation in mediterranean ecosystems

2009

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Ecosystems of the Mediterranean region are characterized by a heterogeneous and dynamic landscape mosaic of vegetation formations that provide diverse benefits: agro pastoral products, ecosystem services, and other utilities. Valuation of these benefits in different states of the ecosystem is an important step towards conservation, decision making, and land management. Yet, studies of this kind are scarce, especially cases dealing with more than one benefit. Multiple benefits evaluation is not straightforward; it involves many difficulties and questions which have no agreed solutions, e.g. estimation, common currency, and optimal solution. In this study we present a methodology for the estimation of three benefits in different components of Mediterranean woody vegetation in Israel. Densities of geophyte wildflowers, honey flowers, and fleshy fruits as food for birds were measured within five vegetation components defined by dominant plant functional types, in four sites with different disturbance histories. Each benefit was measured in its own units. The results showed significant differences between vegetation states in values of each benefit. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the contributions of different cover components for these three benefits. Furthermore, this indicates that it is possible to estimate the level of benefits at larger scales as a first approximation, by considering only the composition of the vegetation cover. The values for the three benefits were standardized to illustrate the question of multiple benefits valuation. This method does not lead to an optimization, but can nevertheless provide a useful tool toward conservation and rational management by land managers and policy makers.

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“…Agriculture in Europe arose from land-use practices and associated worldviews originating in the Mediterranean-from Greek, Roman, Arab, and other civilizations and influences (Glacken, 1976). Mediterranean shrubland might have been derived from previously forested landscapes that were deforested for timber and agriculture several millennia ago, then maintained in scrub through burning and grazing for livestock (Blondel, 2006;Henkin et al, 2007), with bouts of soil erosion (Butzer, 2005). In the case of the Andes, much change in land cover happened several millennia ago.…”

Section: Humanized Landscapes Of the Andesmentioning

confidence: 99%