Stable carbon isotope analysis of soil organic matter illustrates vegetation change at the grassland/woodland boundary in southeastern Arizona, USA

Oecologia ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. R. McPherson ◽  
T. W. Boutton ◽  
A. J. Midwood
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Carbon Isotope ◽  
Vegetation Change ◽  
Stable Carbon Isotope ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Stable Carbon ◽  
Stable Carbon Isotope Analysis ◽  
Carbon Isotope Analysis

Sheep Faeces Under Shearing Sheds: a Documentary of Vegetation Change Using Stable Carbon Isotope Analysis.

1997 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 109 ◽  
Author(s):  
GB Witt ◽  
EJ Moll ◽  
RJS Beeton
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Isotope ◽  
Vegetation Change ◽  
Stable Carbon Isotope ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Vegetation Changes ◽  
Stable Carbon ◽  
North West ◽  
Stable Carbon Isotope Analysis ◽  
Carbon Isotope Analysis ◽  
A New Technique

In this study we report on a new technique for reconstructing long-tgrm vegetation changes in the Australian rangelands. Sheep faeces, which accumulate annually beneath shearing sheds, provide an untapped and potentially continuous record of vegetation change at a property scale. From stable carbon isotope analysis, inferences about the available vegetation can be made. Our analysis revealed vegetation changes slnce the construction of two sheds, a period of approximately 40 years. Results indicated a significant reduction in the availability of C, grasses on Currawinya (south-west Queensland). However, for the same period there was no significant change in proportion of C, and C, species contributing to the diet of sheep on Talyealye (north-west New South Wales). Given the abundance, age and distribution of shearing sheds in the Australian rangelands, the potential exists to reconstruct a detailed picture of vegetation change at a national scale.

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