Rangeland Systems

Briske, David D.

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-46709-2

Cited by 141 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 749 publications

(1,072 reference statements)

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“…Spatial and temporal components of pyrodiversity can be applied in managed landscapes as well, where spatially patchy fire regimes with livestock grazing increase spatial heterogeneity in vegetation structure and enhance biodiversity conservation (Fuhlendorf et al, 2017). Disturbance-driven variability in plant biomass and forage quality have been shown in mesic grasslands worldwide (Vignolio et al, 2003;Sensenig, Demment, & Laca, 2010;Allred et al, 2011), and the application of spatially patchy fires in grazed management units creates landscape-level heterogeneity .…”

Section: Biggsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Motivated by a concern that biodiversity suffers from homogenous vegetation structure, Fuhlendorf et al (2006) posed a question: "Should heterogeneity be the basis for conservation?" A decade on, the answer appears to be, Yes-across a breadth of taxa, including birds, invertebrates, and small mammals, landscape-level heterogeneity has been repeatedly shown to increase two ecosystem properties critical to biodiversity conservation: the structural diversity of vegetation among patches, and dissimilarity in community composition across patches, when compared to homogeneous landscapes (Fuhlendorf, Fynn, McGranahan, & Twidwell, 2017). These outcomes are compelling and are often sought by ecosystem managers; thus, it is of little surprise that enhancing heterogeneity has become a common objective for conservation and management (McGranahan & Kirkman, 2013;Beale et al, 2013;Scasta et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…European settlement of rangelands worldwide generally reduced heterogeneity, particularly in North America, which contributed to a decline in rangeland biodiversity as livestock producers sought homogeneous grazing distribution and efficient forage use (Fuhlendorf & Engle, 2001;Fuhlendorf et al, 2017). An alternative paradigm is based on spatial and temporal heterogeneity in disturbance regimes to promote a breadth of ecosystem services in addition to forage and animal protein production (Fuhlendorf, Engle, Elmore, Limb, & Bidwell, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Moderate patchiness optimizes heterogeneity, stability, and beta diversity in mesic grassland

McGranahan

Hovick

Elmore

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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Heterogeneous disturbance patterns are fundamental to rangeland conservation and management because heterogeneity creates patchy vegetation, broadens niche availability, increases compositional dissimilarity, and enhances temporal stability of aboveground biomass production. Pyrodiversity is a popular concept for how variability in fire as an ecological disturbance can enhance heterogeneity, but mechanistic understanding of factors that drive heterogeneity is lacking. Mesic grasslands are examples of ecosystems in which pyrodiversity is linked strongly to broad ecological processes such as trophic interactions because grazers are attracted to recently burned areas, creating a unique ecological disturbance referred to as the fire–grazing interaction, or pyric herbivory. But several questions about the application of pyric herbivory remain: What proportion of a grazed landscape must burn, or how many patches are required, to create sufficient spatial heterogeneity and reduce temporal variability? How frequently should patches burn? Does season of fire matter? To bring theory into applied practice, we studied a gradient of grazed tallgrass prairie landscapes created by different sizes, seasons, and frequencies of fire, and used analyses sensitive to nonlinear trends. The greatest spatial heterogeneity and lowest temporal variability in aboveground plant biomass, and greatest plant functional group beta diversity, occurred in landscapes with three to four patches (25%–33% of area burned) and three‐ to four‐year fire return intervals. Beta diversity had a positive association with spatial heterogeneity and negative relationship with temporal variability. Rather than prescribing that these results constitute best management practices, we emphasize the flexibility offered by interactions between patch number and fire frequency for matching rangeland productivity and offtake to specific management goals. As we observed no differences across season of fire, we recommend future research focus on fire frequency within a moderate proportion of the landscape burned, and consider a wider seasonal burn window.

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Section: Biggsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Moderate patchiness optimizes heterogeneity, stability, and beta diversity in mesic grassland

McGranahan

Hovick

Elmore

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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“…These facilitative and competitive processes are modulated by the intensity and distribution of rainfall and the availability of water within the growing period. Water availability does not only govern the germination of annuals and the rejuvenation of perennials but also influences the competitive balance between grasses and trees (Archer, Anderson, Predick, Schwinning, & Steidl, 2017; Joubert, Smit, & Hoffman, 2013; Kulmatiski & Beard, 2013; Woods, Archer, & Schwinning, 2014). If this well‐balanced equilibrium is disturbed, sudden dominance shift can occur.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A dominance shift in arid savanna: An herbaceous legume outcompetes local C₄ grasses

Wagner

Richter

Joubert

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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The characteristic vegetation structure of arid savannas with a dominant layer of perennial grass is maintained by the putative competitive superiority of the C4 grasses. When this competitive balance is disturbed by weakening the grasses or favoring the recruitment of other species, trees, shrubs, single grass, or forb species can increase and initiate sudden dominance shifts. Such shifts involving woody species, often termed “shrub encroachment”, or the mass spreading of so‐called increaser species have been extensively researched, but studies on similar processes without obvious preceding disturbance are rare. In Namibia, the native herbaceous legume Crotalaria podocarpa has recently encroached parts of the escarpment region, seriously affecting the productivity of local fodder grasses. Here, we studied the interaction between seedlings of the legume and the dominant local fodder grass (Stipagrostis ciliata). We used a pot experiment to test seedling survival and to investigate the growth of Crotalaria in competition with Stipagrostis. Additional field observations were conducted to quantify the interactive effect. We found germination and growth of the legume seedlings to be facilitated by inactive (dead or dormant) grass tussocks and unhindered by active ones. Seedling survival was three times higher in inactive tussocks and Crotalaria grew taller. In the field, high densities of the legume had a clear negative effect on productivity of the grass. The C4 grass was unable to limit the recruitment and spread of the legume, and Crotalaria did outcompete the putative more competitive grass. Hence, the legume is able to spread and establish itself in large numbers and initiate a dominance shift in savannas, similar to shrub encroachment.

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“…mented and communal land tenure systems shift to semi-commercial ones(Dalintai, Gauwau, Yanbo, Enkhee, & Shurun, 2012;Dube & Pickup, 2001;Galvin, Reid, Behnke, & Hobbs, 2008;Hobbs et al, 2008;Hruska et al, 2017). In Australian rangelands, Drought Portal in the United States, Famine Early Warning Systems Network) and may increasingly assist farmers in their stocking management under climate change.…”

mentioning

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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Rangeland Systems

Cited by 141 publications

References 749 publications

Moderate patchiness optimizes heterogeneity, stability, and beta diversity in mesic grassland

Moderate patchiness optimizes heterogeneity, stability, and beta diversity in mesic grassland

A dominance shift in arid savanna: An herbaceous legume outcompetes local C₄ grasses

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

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Rangeland Systems

Cited by 141 publications

References 749 publications

Moderate patchiness optimizes heterogeneity, stability, and beta diversity in mesic grassland

Moderate patchiness optimizes heterogeneity, stability, and beta diversity in mesic grassland

A dominance shift in arid savanna: An herbaceous legume outcompetes local C4 grasses

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

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A dominance shift in arid savanna: An herbaceous legume outcompetes local C₄ grasses