Impact of rainfall variability and grazing pressure on plant diversity in Mongolian grasslands

Cheng, Yanjun; Tsubo, Mitsuru; Ito, Yoichi; Nishihara, Eiji; Shinoda, Masato

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2010.12.019

Cited by 61 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 44 publications

(43 reference statements)

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“…According to Stumpp et al (2005) the livestock spatial densities were higher in the first 300 m of the transects from the local centers. This finding of the heavy grazing with a radial gradient was also found at our study site (Cheng et al, 2011), which spots a trampling-active area. The trampling-active area (with 300 m transect) close to local centers is reasonable from the view point of livestock trampling routes as well.…”

Section: Experimental Area Settingsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…In the steppe zone, species richness varied significantly with grazing pressure but did not vary between years. Species richness is not impacted by grazing gradient in desert steppe, but it is in the steppe (Cheng et al, 2011). Consequently, the Mongolian steppe has been impacted the most by grazing and trampling.…”

Section: A Study Site Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…2a). Many studies proved that livestock density (i.e., grazing pressure) is usually highest close to water sources or settlements and decreases with distance away from such localities (Andrew and Lange, 1986;FernandezGimenez and Allen-Diaz, 2001;Landsberg et al, 2003;Sasaki et al, 2008;Cheng et al, 2011). According to Stumpp et al (2005) the livestock spatial densities were higher in the first 300 m of the transects from the local centers.…”

Section: Experimental Area Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Anthropogenic dust emissions due to livestock trampling in a Mongolian temperate grassland

et al. 2017

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Abstract. Mongolian grasslands are a natural dust source region and they contribute to anthropogenic dust due to the long tradition of raising livestock there. Past decades of abrupt changes in a nomadic society necessitate a study on the effects of livestock trampling on dust emissions, so that research studies may help maintain a sustainable ecosystem and well-conditioned atmospheric environment. In this study, we conducted a mini wind tunnel experiment (using a PI-SWERL ® device) to measure dust emissions fluxes from trampling (at three disturbance levels of livestock density, N) and zero trampling (natural as the background level) at test areas in a Mongolian temperate grassland. Moreover, we scaled anthropogenic dust emissions to natural dust emissions as a relative consequence of livestock trampling. We found a substantial increase in dust emissions due to livestock trampling. This effect of trampling on dust emissions was persistent throughout all wind friction velocities, u * (varying from 0.44 to 0.82 m s −1 ). Significantly higher dust loading occurs after a certain disturbance level has been reached by the livestock trampling. Our results suggest that both friction velocity (u * ) and disturbance level of livestock density (N) have an enormous combinational effect on dust emissions from the trampling test surface. This means that the effect of livestock trampling on dust emissions can be seen or revealed when wind is strong. Our results also emphasize that better management for livestock allocation coupled with strategies to prevent anthropogenic dust loads are needed. However, there are many uncertainties and assumptions to be improved on in this study.

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Section: Experimental Area Settingsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: A Study Site Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Experimental Area Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Anthropogenic dust emissions due to livestock trampling in a Mongolian temperate grassland

et al. 2017

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“…The savanna ecosystem is used largely for livestock grazing (Bagchi and Ritchie 2010), and prolonged overgrazing is associated with land degradation (Cheng et al 2011). Overgrazing, which refers to the overutilization of grazing resources, by livestock promotes the increase in undesirable herbaceous plant species and bush encroachment, which are all indicators of rangeland degradation (Katjiua and Ward 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pastoralists’ Perception and Ecological Knowledge on Savanna Ecosystem Dynamics in Semi-arid Botswana

Kgosikoma¹,

Mojeremane²,

Harvie³

2012

E&S

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ABSTRACT. We investigated vegetation dynamics in relation to livestock grazing as perceived by pastoral farmers in different regions of Botswana. A structured questionnaire was used to collect farmers' understanding of vegetation changes and causes within three different grazing lands. The pastoral farmers' description of dominant vegetation differed significantly both at the local and district level, which suggests that rangelands consist of patches dominated by different grasses and woody vegetation. Most pastoralists indicated that grass composition has undergone changes, and unpalatable grasses such as Aristida congesta and Megaloprotachne albescens are increasing. The different factors perceived by pastoral farmers to cause changes in vegetation composition included rainfall, overgrazing, and fire. Bush encroachment is considered to be more common in communal grazing land than in ranches. According to pastoral farmers, the ranching system is less degrading to the environment and more sustainable for livestock production than is communal grazing.

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“…There is debate, however, about the causes of declining range conditions in Mongolia (Addison et al 2012). Livestock pressure may be interacting over space and time with dynamic climate belts to alter vegetation cover, with the mix of drivers likely changing in different ecological zones (Cheng et al 2011;Wang et al 2013;Wesche et al 2010). As in the Sahel, several studies have shown that livestock grazing has less impact on vegetation than precipitation in the desert-steppe region of Mongolia (Fernández-Giménez and Allen-Diaz 1999; Wesche et al 2010).…”

Section: Trends In Resource Use and Ecological Condition Of Rangelandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rangeland Systems in Developing Nations: Conceptual Advances and Societal Implications

Coppock

Fernández‐Giménez

Hiernaux

et al. 2017

Springer Series on Environmental Management

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Developing-country rangelands are vast and diverse. They are home to millions who are often poor, politically marginalized, and dependent on livestock for survival. Here we summarize our experiences from six case-study sites in subSaharan Africa, central Asia, and Latin America generally covering the past 25 years. We examine issues pertaining to population, natural resource management, climate, land use, livestock marketing, social conflict, and pastoral livelihoods. The six study sites differ with respect to human and livestock population dynamics and This chapter is dedicated to the memory of an exemplary international rangeland scientist, Thomas L. Thurow (1955Thurow ( -2016. the resulting pressures on natural resources. Environmental degradation, however, has been commonly observed. Climate change is also having diverse systemic effects often related to increasing aridity. As rangelands become more economically developed pastoral livelihoods may diversify, food security can improve, and commercial livestock production expands, but wealth stratification widens. Some significant upgrades in rural infrastructure and public service delivery have occurred; telecommunications are markedly improved overall due to widespread adoption of mobile phones. Pressures from grazing, farming, mining, and other land usescombined with drought-can ignite local conflicts over resources, although the intensity and scope of conflicts markedly varies across our case-study sites. Pastoralists and their herds have become more sedentary overall due to many factors, and this can undermine traditional risk-management tactics based on mobility. Remote rangelands still offer safe havens for insurgents, warlords, and criminals especially in countries where policing remains weak; the resulting civil strife can undermine commerce and public safety. There has been tremendous growth in knowledge concerning developing-country rangelands since 1990, but this has not often translated into improved environmental stewardship or an enhanced wellbeing for rangeland dwellers. Some examples of demonstrable impact are described, and these typically have involved longer-term investments in capacity building for pastoralists, local professionals, and other stakeholders. Research is shifting from ecologically centered to more human-centered issues; traditional academic approaches are often being augmented with participatory, community-based engagement. Building human or social capital in ways that are integrated with improved natural resource stewardship offers the greatest returns on research investment. Our future research and outreach priorities include work that fortifies pastoral governance, enhances livelihoods for a diverse array of rangeland residents, and improves land and livestock management in a comprehensive social-ecological systems approach. Keywords IntroductionIn this chapter we focus on rangelands of the developing world. By rangelands we refer to landscapes-largely unsuitable for sustained cultivation-providing forage, water, ...

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Impact of rainfall variability and grazing pressure on plant diversity in Mongolian grasslands

Cited by 61 publications

References 44 publications

Anthropogenic dust emissions due to livestock trampling in a Mongolian temperate grassland

Anthropogenic dust emissions due to livestock trampling in a Mongolian temperate grassland

Pastoralists’ Perception and Ecological Knowledge on Savanna Ecosystem Dynamics in Semi-arid Botswana

Rangeland Systems in Developing Nations: Conceptual Advances and Societal Implications

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Impact of rainfall variability and grazing pressure on plant diversity in Mongolian grasslands

Cited by 61 publications

References 44 publications

Anthropogenic dust emissions due to livestock trampling in a Mongolian temperate grassland

Anthropogenic dust emissions due to livestock trampling in a Mongolian temperate grassland

Pastoralists&#8217; Perception and Ecological Knowledge on Savanna Ecosystem Dynamics in Semi-arid Botswana

Rangeland Systems in Developing Nations: Conceptual Advances and Societal Implications

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Pastoralists’ Perception and Ecological Knowledge on Savanna Ecosystem Dynamics in Semi-arid Botswana