Catastrophic flood disturbance and a community's response to plant resilience in the heart of the Texas Hill Country

Geomorphology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 305 ◽  
pp. 20-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly M. Meitzen ◽  
John N. Phillips ◽  
Thaïs Perkins ◽  
Aspen Manning ◽  
Jason P. Julian
Keyword(s):  
Flood Disturbance ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Catastrophic Flood

scholarly journals Vegetation on Fluvial Landforms along Near-Natural Reaches of the Opava, Černá Opava and Branná Rivers Ten Years after Extreme Flood Disturbance

Geografie ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 354-374
Author(s):  
Blanka Loučková
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Riparian Vegetation ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Vegetation Patterns ◽  
River Channels ◽  
Ecological Stability ◽  
Flood Disturbance ◽  
Catastrophic Flood ◽  
Extreme Flood ◽  
Geomorphic Surfaces

Riparian vegetation patterns and fluvial geomorphic forms and processes are very closely related environmental phenomena. This paper examines riparian vegetation patterns in relation to fluvial geomorphic landforms in five near-natural river reaches within ten years of a catastrophic flood. Extreme disturbance – the July 1997 flood – destroyed technically designed river channels and created suitable conditions for a number of ecosystems with high biodiversity and ecological stability. In summer 2007 (ten years after catastrophic flood), in five re-naturalized reaches, vegetation along with other environmental variables was collected on particular landform types (bars, islands, banks, floodplains and terraces). The analyses show that the key environmental determinants of riparian vegetation variation are the fluvial-geomorphic surfaces. The results suggest that many bottomland species of woody and herbaceous vegetation have predictable distribution patterns that correspond with observable fluvial landforms.

Faith in the wake of disaster: A longitudinal qualitative study of religious attachment following a catastrophic flood.

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 578-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward B. Davis ◽  
Cynthia N. Kimball ◽  
Jamie D. Aten ◽  
Chase Hamilton ◽  
Benjamin Andrews ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Catastrophic Flood ◽  
Religious Attachment

Quantifying the value proposition for white clover persistence on a New Zealand summer-dry hill-country farm

2020 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 199-209
Author(s):  
Mike B. Dodd ◽  
Katherine N. Tozer ◽  
Iris Vogeler ◽  
Rose Greenfield ◽  
David R. Stevens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Simulation Modelling ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
System Modelling ◽  
Value Proposition ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
The North ◽  
Farm System

The improvement in forage quality and quantity of summer-dry hill country pasture resulting from the introduction of clover is well recognised. However, ensuring the persistence of the commonly availablecultivars is challenging, in the face of seasonal moisture stress, intensive grazing, competition from established well-adapted pasture species, low soil fertility and low soil pH – conditions typical of the East Coast of the North Island. Here we quantify the value proposition associated with the introduction of white clover into a case study on a Gisborne sheep and beef farm, using a six-step process. A topographically explicit approach is taken, using an understanding of the underlying spatial variability, based on a combination of soil and pasture measurements, APSIM simulation modelling of pasture growth and farm system modelling of enterprise performance. We show that from a baseline of a typical low-fertility, diverse species hill country pasture, white clover introduction can increase spring and summer forage consumption by 17%, enabling inclusion of an additional 6-month bull finishing enterprise generating a 32% greater carcass weight production and leading to a 49% improvement in farm system EBIT. This represents a positive net present value of over $360,000 for the original investment in white clover establishment into existing pastures.

THE USE OF PASTURE HEIGHT AS A PREDICTOR OF FEED LEVEL IN NORTH ISLAND HILL COUNTRY

1986 ◽  
pp. 249-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.W. Webby ◽  
W.J. Pengelly
Keyword(s):  
Late Spring ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Considerable Effort ◽  
Management Decisions ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Visual Impact

Considerable effort is expended measuring pasture parameters that relate to animal perform mance. Traditionally farmers have used visual impact and experience as their method of pasture assessment to make management decisions. The simplest measurement collected by researchers, pasture height, is developed to the point where it can be used as a guide to predict pasture mass and animal performance. This paper presents relationships between height and mass for improved pastures in summer dry North Island hill country. A pasture 5cm tall will give hogget growth of 60 gjday in summer, 90 in autumn, 100 in winter and 200 in spring. Similarly 5cm will be 2250 kg DM/ha in summer, 1900 in autumn, 1520 in winter, 1640 in spring and 2200 in late spring. Keywords: Height, mass, predictor, grazing, quality, animal performance, feed levels, parameters, pasture.

ON-FARM FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS FOR NORTHLAND

1986 ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
J.S. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Joint Ventures ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Financial Returns ◽  
Farm Forestry ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Financial Position ◽  
On Farm

Agroforests and woodlots offer Northland hill country farmers investment and diversification opportunities. Agroforests have less effect on the "whole farm" financial position than woodlots, especially where a progressive planting regime is adopted and where no further borrowing is required. Establishment and tending costs for agro-forests are lower, and returns come much sooner. The proven opportunity for continued grazing under trees established in this manner, apart from a short post-planting period, further enhances the agroforesty option. Even where there is reluctance on a farmer's part to plant trees on high fertility land, the expected financial returns from agroforests on low and medium fertility land will increase the overall long-term profitability and flexibility of the whole farming operation. Woodlots may be more appropriate on low fertility areas where weed reversion is likely. Joint ventures may be worth considering where farm finances are a limited factor. Keywords: On-farm forestry development, Northland hill country, agroforestry, woodlots, diversification, joint ventures, progressive planting regimes, grazing availability.

PASTURE ESTABLISHMENT ON EAST COAST NORTH ISLAND HILL COUNTRY

1984 ◽  
pp. 216-218
Author(s):  
B.J. Arnst ◽  
O.L. Park
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Return On Investment ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Development Programme ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Stock Management ◽  
Hill Country

Large areas of North Island hill country are producing below potential as a result of low fertility and poor pasture composition. Removal of undesirable species and replacement with a higher producing pasture is essential for increased productivity but is difficult to achieve. A development programme is described where the use of glyphosate in close association with oversowing and stock management has allowed rapid pasture establishment, marked increase in carrying capacity and a quick return on investment. Keywords: Pasture establishment, glyphosate, oversowing, white clover, subdivision, productivity.

SOME TRENDS IN GRASSLAND FARMING IN EUROPE

1977 ◽  
pp. 5-19
Author(s):  
R.W. Brougham
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Energy Usage ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Wide Range

IN an assessment such as this, one could cover a wide range of topics fairly shallowly or a lesser number in a bit more depth. I have opted for the latter. The topics discussed will embrace some trends in dairying, beef farming, sheep farming, hill country farming, and land use generally, species and variety usage in grassland farming, use of crude protein produced from pasture, and some implications of energy usage.

Pathways ahead for New Zealand hill country farming

2016 ◽  
Vol 78 ◽  
pp. 73-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.G. Scrimgeour
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
The Status ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Hill Farming ◽  
The Hill

This paper provides a stocktake of the status of hill country farming in New Zealand and addresses the challenges which will determine its future state and performance. It arises out of the Hill Country Symposium, held in Rotorua, New Zealand, 12-13 April 2016. This paper surveys people, policy, business and change, farming systems for hill country, soil nutrients and the environment, plants for hill country, animals, animal feeding and productivity, and strategies for achieving sustainable outcomes in the hill country. This paper concludes by identifying approaches to: support current and future hill country farmers and service providers, to effectively and efficiently deal with change; link hill farming businesses to effective value chains and new markets to achieve sufficient and stable profitability; reward farmers for the careful management of natural resources on their farm; ensure that new technologies which improve the efficient use of input resources are developed; and strategies to achieve vibrant rural communities which strengthen hill country farming businesses and their service providers. Keywords: farming systems, hill country, people, policy, productivity, profitability, sustainability

A protocol for sampling pastures in hill country

2016 ◽  
Vol 78 ◽  
pp. 203-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.J. Hutchinson ◽  
D.R. Scobie ◽  
J. Beautrais ◽  
A.D. Mackay ◽  
G.M. Rennie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Random Sampling ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Accurate Estimate ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Topographic Complexity ◽  
Hill Country

To develop a protocol to guide pasture sampling for estimation of paddock pasture mass in hill country, a range of pasture sampling strategies, including random sampling, transects and stratification based on slope and aspect, were evaluated using simulations in a Geographical Information Systems computer environment. The accuracy and efficiency of each strategy was tested by sampling data obtained from intensive field measurements across several farms, regions and seasons. The number of measurements required to obtain an accurate estimate was related to the overall pasture mass and the topographic complexity of a paddock, with more variable paddocks requiring more samples. Random sampling from average slopes provided the best balance between simplicity and reliability. A draft protocol was developed from the simulations, in the form of a decision support tool, where visual determination of the topographic complexity of the paddock, along with the required accuracy, were used to guide the number of measurements recommended. The protocol was field tested and evaluated by groups of users for efficacy and ease of use. This sampling protocol will offer farmers, consultants and researchers an efficient, reliable and simple way to determine pasture mass in New Zealand hill country settings. Keywords: hill country, feed budgeting, protocol pasture mass, slope

MANAGEMENT OF NEW CULTIVARS FOR DRYLAND

1983 ◽  
pp. 61-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A. Lancashire ◽  
J.L. Brock
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Seed Quality ◽  
Technical Information ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Seasonally Dry ◽  
Prairie Grass ◽  
Management Procedures ◽  
New Cultivars

Some characteristics of seed quality, establishment rates, performance in mixtures and response to grazing management of 5 new pasture plants with potential in dryland are described. On a dry hill country site in the Wairarapa, the contribution of the sown grasses established in separate plots with clovers under rotational grazing was 'Grasslands Wana' cocksfoot 65%; 'Grasslands Maru' phalaris 23%; 'Grasslands Matua' prairie grass 22%; and 'Grasslands Roa' tall fescue 13% after 2 years. The other main grass species was resident perennial ryegrass which established from buried seed (ca. 240 plants/m*) and had a major impact on the establishment and growth of the sown grasses. On a seasonally dry Manawatu flat land soil 3 grazing managementsviz. set stocked all year (S); rotational all year (R); and combination (Cl (set stocked from lambing to drafting and rotational for the remainder of the year) were applied to mixtures of the new cultivars (except that 'Grasslands Apanui' cocksfoot replaced Wana) with ryegrass and white clover stocked at 20 sheep/ha. After 3 years the contribution of the new cultivars was negligible under S and ryegrass was dominant. The R pastures became cocksfoot dominant and Matua (in winter) and chicory (in summer) contributed more than in the S system. The C system produced the most evenly balanced species contribution with only Roa remaining at (5%. A sub-trial with cocksfoot cultivars demonstrated that Wana maintained better production and tiller density ~ll,000/m2 ) than Apanui (1000/m' ) under set stocking IS). Although some of the new cultivars will require specialised management procedures to fulfil their potential in dryland, the increasing and widespread use of Matua prairie grass in farming suggests that these techniques can be adopted in commercial agriculture provided good technical information is available in a management package when the cultivar is released. Keywords: Dryland, grazing management, mixtures, Matua prairie grass, Wana cocksfoot, Roa tall fescue, Maru phalaris, Chicory

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