Recovery of plant species composition and ecosystem function after cessation of grazing in a Mediterranean grassland
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Published source details
Golodets C., Kigel J. & Sternberg M. (2009) Recovery of plant species composition and ecosystem function after cessation of grazing in a Mediterranean grassland. Plant and Soil, 329, 365-378.
Published source details Golodets C., Kigel J. & Sternberg M. (2009) Recovery of plant species composition and ecosystem function after cessation of grazing in a Mediterranean grassland. Plant and Soil, 329, 365-378.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Other biodiversity: Exclude grazers Action Link |
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Other biodiversity: Exclude grazers
A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2003–2005 in shrubland in north-east Israel found that plant communities in formerly grazed plots became more similar to those in ungrazed plots when cattle were excluded for two years. Plants: Plant community composition became more similar between formerly grazed and ungrazed plots over the course of the experiment (data reported as Sorensen’s quantitative similarity index). At the start of the experiment, the biomass of one of six plant functional groups differed between formerly grazed and ungrazed plots, but none differed after two years of cattle exclusion. Methods: In February 2003, fences to exclude cattle were erected around five 10 x 10 m plots in six areas: two grazed at either 0.55 or 1.1 cows/ha/year and two in areas from which cattle had been excluded for 30–40 years. Vegetation was sampled in spring of each year.
