Shrub Control and Seeding Influences on Grazing Capacity in Argentina

Abstract

Total vegetation cover, forage species cover, litter cover, and carrying capacity were determined during 3 growing seasons (1979-80,1980-81, and 1981-82), for plots cleared of shrubs with or without sowing of native grasses in a site characteristic of the Monte Phytogeographical Province in mid-west Argentina. We tested the hypothesis that shrub removal with or without sowing of native grasses increases aerial cover of forage, especially species capable of quick establishment ("pioneers"), that ultimately results in a greater carryhrg capacity. When shrubs were removed and the cut material was left on the soil surface, average cover of forage species increased 156% over the control at the end of the third growing season. Increased carrying capacity (229%) also resulted from shrub control on the study area. Sowing with grasses produced a response in only 1 species. Thus, shrub control with or without additional sowing of native grasses appears capable of improving the carrying capacity of shrub communities of low forage value, typical of this temperate arid zone.

Vegetation Responses to Roller Chopping and Buffelgrass Seeding in Argentina

“…Passera et al (1992) reported shrub cleared and shrub cleared þ native grass sown treatments increased perennial grass cover with respect to control treatment, but did not find significant difference in perennial grass cover between both treatments. However, buffelgrass was not sown in either study.…”

Land use and disturbance effects on the dynamics of natural ecosystems of the Monte Desert: Implications for their management

“…In the Central Monte, mechanical shrub control may increase grass cover, resulting in an increase of the carrying capacity of some communities (Passera et al, 1992). This effect is more evident in Larrea cuneifolia communities, with poor grass coverage, than in Larrea divaricata communities, in which grasses are more abundant (Passera et al, 1996).…”

Degradation of Arid Rangelands in Thar Desert, India: A Review

“…In the early stages, it is possible to stop or minimize the process of degradation through management practices by altering the grazing season, stocking density, and animal type (Westoby et al, 1989). In the later stages, however, the activities taken up for controlling the process of degradation are unlikely to be effective, as they would require removal of livestock from the affected area as well as soil and vegetation manipulation (Gibbens et al, 1992;Passera et al, 1992).…”