Response of Herbs to Shrub Removal Across Natural and Experimental Variation in Soil Moisture

Berlow, Eric L.; D’Antonio, Carla M.; Swartz, Heather

doi:10.1890/02-5099

Cited by 33 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…Despite our narrow window of observation, we can say that the data presented here are consistent with an encroachment scenario in which reduced herb cover is a prerequisite to sagebrush establishment, and in which sagebrush establishment occurs in wet years in sites that have previously been disturbed (Baeur, 2002;Berlow et al, 2002Berlow et al, , 2003Swartz 2004). The early invasion sites we sampled have likely already have lost some of the more shallow-water-dependent herbs.…”

Section: Implications For Sagebrush Invasion Dynamicssupporting

confidence: 69%

“…Bullfrog Meadow, until recently, was less invaded than most meadows in the region. A diverse assemblage of herbs grow in the herbaceous patches (Berlow et al, 2003;Sarr, 1995). There are more than 15 graminoid species, including at least 12 grasses, several sedges, and an abundant rush, Juncus balticus Willd.…”

Section: Study Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In these dry ecosystems, low water availability limits plant growth (Briones et al, 1998;Noy-Meir, 1973;Shmida and Burgess, 1988). The natural or anthropogenic alteration of these limited water resources may in some cases be the direct cause of encroachment (Berlow et al, 2003;Chambers et al, 2004;Polley et al, 1997;Schwinning and Ehleringer, 2001;Stromberg et al, 1996;Wright and Chambers, 2002). Several authors have theorized that the coexistence of woody and herbaceous plants relies on the vertical partitioning of soil water (Noy-Meir, 1973;Shmida and Burgess, 1988;Walter, 1979).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Meadows on the Kern Plateau that have historically been dominated by graminoids and forbs are being invaded by Artemisia rothrockii, a native shrub (Albert, 1982;Berlow et al, 2002;Berlow et al, 2003;Odion et al, 1988). As in other semiarid riparian systems (Castelli et al, 2000;Stromberg et al, 1996), species composition in Kern Plateau meadows is strongly correlated with soil moisture availability (see Ratliff, 1985;Swartz, 2004 for Kern Plateau meadows; Allen-Diaz, 1991 for meadows farther north).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Depth of water acquisition by invading shrubs and resident herbs in a Sierra Nevada meadow

2006

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Woody plant encroachment into semiarid ecosystems has become a global trend in recent decades. Due to stream channel incision, the semiarid riparian montane meadows of the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, USA are experiencing long-term declines in soil moisture. A woody shrub, Artemisia rothrockii A. Gray (Rothrock sagebrush, Asteraceae) is invading these herbaceous meadows. We used an analysis of the stable oxygen isotope ratios of plant and soil water to measure the depth of plant water acquisition during the early stages of this woody plant encroachment. Sagebrush used deeper water on average than most herbs, but it also acquired 10-30% of its water from shallow (<30 cm) soil. Most of the young sagebrush seedlings (1-3 years old, <15 cm) that we sampled used deep water like the older shrubs. Many, but not all of the herb species we sampled were also able to acquire deep water. These findings are consistent with a scenario of shrub encroachment in which channel incision causes shallow-water-dependent herbs to die back, allowing shrub seedlings to establish in disturbed areas during wet years. At least during the early stages of the invasion, some herbs appear to coexist with sagebrush by using deep root systems to cope with the declining shallow soil moisture.

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Section: Implications For Sagebrush Invasion Dynamicssupporting

confidence: 69%

Section: Study Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Depth of water acquisition by invading shrubs and resident herbs in a Sierra Nevada meadow

2006

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“…Such an approach allows one to better understand mechanisms such as competition (Schutzenhofer & Valone 2006;Facelli & Springbett 2009), facilitation (Berlow et al 2003;Hayes & Holl 2003;Urcelay et al 2003;Peltzer et al 2009) and ecosystem functioning (Gibson et al 2012;Spasojevic & Suding 2012;McLaren & Turkington 2010b;Loreau et al 2001). Experiments have advantages over observational studies, because they allow us to manipulate and isolate only the effects that we want to test (Hector et al 2007), thus decreasing interferences that are not controllable in observational studies (Shaffer & Johnson 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant functional groups: scientometric analysis focused on removal experimentsPlant functional groups: scientometric analysis focused on removal experiments

Morais

Cianciaruso

2014

Acta Bot. Bras.

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Understanding what determines species co-occurrence and its consequences for ecosystem functioning is central to the study of plant ecology. The ecological similarity of species can explain co-occurrence patterns, species interactions, and how species affect ecosystem processes. A useful approach to answer these questions is to group similar species in functional groups and then perform removal experiments. Here, we conducted a scientometric review of articles about plant functional diversity and plant functional group removal. We identified publication patterns and impact; environmental and geographic gaps; ecological effects being tested; which groups are removed; and what the removal methods are. We analyzed articles published between 1991 and 2012 in journals indexed for the Thomson ISI Web of Science database. Although the number of articles and citations of experimental articles increased during that period, the corresponding increase for functional diversity articles was 12 times greater. This might be because field and cafeteria experiments are harder to conduct. Most studies were performed in temperate regions, where taxonomic knowledge and scientific investment is greater. Studies on herbaceous vegetation predominate, probably because short-lived species are more easily removed and manipulated than are trees. The main reason for the removal experiments was to test hypotheses related to competition, and clipping at ground level was the most common removal method. Few studies were performed in the field and in greenhouses, which could control for differential responses of natural conditions and controlled environments.

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A Framework for National Assessment of Land Degradation in the Drylands: A Case Study of Somalia

2011

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Land degradation is a gradual, negative environmental process that is accelerated by human activities. Its gradual nature allows degradation to proceed unnoticed, thus reducing the likelihood of appropriate and timely control action. Presently, there are few practical frameworks to help countries design national strategies and policies for its control. The study presented here developed a framework for the national assessment of land degradation. This framework is envisaged to support governments in formulating policies on land degradation. It uses time‐series remote sensing data to identify the rate and extent of land degradation, local experts to identify prevalent degradation types and drivers of the degradation and field observations to validate the overall assessment. Its simplicity, use of freely downloadable input data and self‐triangulation of the assessment methods make it suitable for rapid assessment of land degradation on a national scale. It was tested in Somalia, where it exhibited accuracy greater than 60 per cent when assessing land degradation. This framework is relevant for designing national strategies and policies that address land degradation and provides an opportunity for accurate identification of areas to target with comprehensive local assessment. Testing of the framework in Somalia showed that about one‐third of the country was degraded because of loss of vegetation cover, topsoil loss and to the decline of soil moisture. Overgrazing, excessive tree cutting and poor agronomic practices in agricultural areas were identified as the primary drivers of the country's land degradation. These drivers are encouraged by the prevailing communal land tenure practices, poor governance and civil war. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Response of Herbs to Shrub Removal Across Natural and Experimental Variation in Soil Moisture

Cited by 33 publications

References 74 publications

Depth of water acquisition by invading shrubs and resident herbs in a Sierra Nevada meadow

Depth of water acquisition by invading shrubs and resident herbs in a Sierra Nevada meadow

Plant functional groups: scientometric analysis focused on removal experimentsPlant functional groups: scientometric analysis focused on removal experiments

A Framework for National Assessment of Land Degradation in the Drylands: A Case Study of Somalia

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