Grass response to shrub removal in two semi-arid vegetation communities.

2000 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 220 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Page ◽  
RJS Beeton ◽  
JJ Mott
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Grass Cover ◽  
Ecosystem Impacts ◽  
Vegetation Communities ◽  
Specific Research ◽  
Stable Component ◽  
South West ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Arid Vegetation

The control of woody weeds in the mulga lands of south-west Queensland is commonly regarded as essential for restoration of degraded systems. However, these shrubs have become a dominant and stable component of many mulga land ecosystems, and their removal may have unknown ecosystem impacts. This paper reports an experiment to determine the effect of woody weeds and grazing pressure on grass recruitment, cover and diversity in two vegetation communities in Queensland's mulga lands. Both factors influence grass recruitment, cover and diversity, but the response differs between the two vegetation communities investigated. The overall grass cover is consistently greater in sites where woody weeds were removed, and where grazing pressure was lowest. However, in the Dunefields community the cover and frequency of grass plants responded more to the removal of woody weeds than in the Mulga Sandplain community. In contrast, in the Mulga Sandplain community the grasses responded more to reducing or removing grazing pressure. Results suggest that subtle differences between systems influence grass dynamics, highlighting the need for community-specific research and management. Key words: shrub removal, semi-arid vegetation, vegetation communities, woody weeds

scholarly journals Socio-Cultural Conception of Albinism and Sexuality Challenges among Persons with Albinism (PWA) in South-West, Nigeria

1970 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-208
Author(s):  
AD Ikuomola
Keyword(s):  
Identity Formation ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Sexual Relationships ◽  
Male Child ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
African Society ◽  
Familial Support ◽  
South West ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Spirit Beings

The conception of albinism and the plight facing persons with albinism (PWA) in south-western Nigeria have long been viewed and overemphasised from a biomedical perspective. However, there is a lack of information on the socio-historical conception of albinism and the corollary effect on albinos’ sexuality challenges. This study examines the socio-cultural barriers affecting PWA in the formation of identity and sexual negotiations and relationships. The study was purely qualitative in nature, revealing the Yoruba myths, folktales and legends about albinos as both disabled and divine beings. This was highlighted as having a significant impact on their sexuality, associations, and relationships with persons with/out pigmentation defects. Men with albinism (MWA) were discovered to be more likely to get involved in relationships and possibly getting married especially if they are from a wealthy home. Similarly a better chance and strong familial support exist for a first-born son and for an only male child, than the females with albinism (FWA). This buttresses the patriarchal nature of the African society which emphasises much preference for the male born. From birth therefore, gender was narrated as a discriminatory factor. However, identity formation, association and getting involved in sexual relationships were major challenges affecting all PWA. For the female PWA the risk of being used for money making rituals; not knowing a sincere partner; their more fragile nature and perceived fear of societal objection and hatred in seeing a non-albino with an albino getting involved were highly traumatising. The study concluded that the sociocultural conception of albinism and albinos as disabled and spirit beings should be deconstructed to pave the way for effective expression of sexual relationships. Key words: Spirit beings, myth, relationships, gender, patriarchy

scholarly journals NATURAL PLANT SPECIES INVENTORY OF THE IMPORTANT PLANT AREAS IN ARABIAN PENINSULA: BANI OMAR, TAIZ GOVERNORATE, REPUBLIC OF YEMEN

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-150
Author(s):  
Abdul Wali Ahmed Al-Khulaidi ◽  
Abdul Habib Al-Qadasi ◽  
Othman Saad Saeed Al-Hawshabi
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Arabian Peninsula ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Salvadora Persica ◽  
Natural Plant ◽  
Vegetation Communities ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Average Annual Rainfall ◽  
Semi Arid

The study area is located on the South western mountains of Republic of Yemen, It is characterized by arid and semi-arid climate with high temperatures and low average annual rainfall. The aims of this study are to explore the natural plant species of one of the Important Plant areas of Arabian Peninsula and to evaluate the chance to be a protected area. 61 sample sites covering the whole ecological zones haven been conducted. 135 plant species are found, in which 3 plant species were endemic, 7 near endemic, 29 regional endemic. The study revealed also three vegetation communities with 7 vegetation associations (vegetation types). Vegetation dominated by Ficus cordata, F. sycomorus, Salvadora persica Tamarix aphylla and Ziziphus spina-christi were found on main wadis. Vegetation communities dominated by Acacia asak, Anisotes trisulcus, Jatropha variegate and Zygocarpum yemenense were found on rocky slopes and stony plateau.

Rangeland condition in relation to environmental variables, grazing intensity and livestock owners' perceptions in semi-arid rangeland in western Iran

2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 367 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Faramarzi ◽  
S. Kesting ◽  
J. Isselstein ◽  
N. Wrage
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Western Iran ◽  
Range Condition ◽  
Rangeland Condition ◽  
Semi Arid

Rangeland condition has often been assessed in relation to either botanical, edaphic, environmental or management factors. In this investigation, we analysed the interaction of soil and topographic variables, management and range condition against the background of a sociological survey of livestock owners in western Iran to better understand the main influencing factors of rangeland quality in the area. In four grazing areas in Kermanshah differing in grazing pressure, environmental variables and livestock owners’ perceptions on range condition, investigations of botanical composition, soil and topographic variables were carried out on 43 main plots. To evaluate range condition, four factors were considered, namely litter frequency, herbage palatability, amount of biomass, and percentage of bare soil. A questionnaire was used to obtain information about management practices, the perception of livestock owners on range condition and suggested solutions to problems in the different grazing areas. The range condition scores showed that the condition of the sites was either fair or poor. Of the soil and topographic factors, only north-facing aspect explained part of the variation in range condition scores. High grazing intensity was associated with poor range condition. To improve the rangeland condition, measures influencing water availability and a reduction of grazing pressure seem to be more relevant in the study area than fertilisation or seeding.

scholarly journals Buffel grass in Queensland's semi-arid woodlands: response to local and landscape scale variables, and relationship with grass, forb and reptile species

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa J. Eyre ◽  
Jian Wang ◽  
Melanie F. Venz ◽  
Chris Chilcott ◽  
Giselle Whish
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Landscape Scale ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Critical Threshold ◽  
Hierarchical Partitioning ◽  
Grass Cover ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Buffel Grass ◽  
Remnant Vegetation ◽  
Reptile Species

Buffel grass [Pennisetum ciliare (L.) Link] has been widely introduced in the Australian rangelands as a consequence of its value for productive grazing, but tends to competitively establish in non-target areas such as remnant vegetation. In this study, we examined the influence landscape-scale and local-scale variables had upon the distribution of buffel grass in remnant poplar box (Eucalyptus populnea F.Muell.) dominant woodland fragments in the Brigalow Bioregion, Queensland. Buffel grass and variables thought to influence its distribution in the region were measured at 60 sites, which were selected based on the amount of native woodland retained in the landscape and patch size. An information-theoretic modelling approach and hierarchical partitioning revealed that the most influential variable was the percent of retained vegetation within a 1-km spatial extent. From this, we identified a critical threshold of ~30% retained vegetation in the landscape, above which the model predicted buffel grass was not likely to occur in a woodland fragment. Other explanatory variables in the model were site based, and included litter cover and long-term rainfall. Given the paucity of information on the effect of buffel grass upon biodiversity values, we undertook exploratory analyses to determine whether buffel grass cover influenced the distribution of grass, forb and reptile species. We detected some trends; hierarchical partitioning revealed that buffel grass cover was the most important explanatory variable describing habitat preferences of four reptile species. However, establishing causal links – particularly between native grass and forb species and buffel grass – was problematic owing to possible confounding with grazing pressure. We conclude with a set of management recommendations aimed at reducing the spread of buffel grass into remnant woodlands.

Profiles of innovators in a semi-arid smallholder agricultural environment in south west Zimbabwe

2017 ◽  
Vol 100 ◽  
pp. 325-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eness P. Mutsvangwa-Sammie ◽  
Emmanuel Manzungu ◽  
Shephard Siziba
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Environment ◽  
South West ◽  
Semi Arid

The influence of mistletoes on nitrogen cycling in a semi-arid savanna, south-west Zimbabwe

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilton G. T. Ndagurwa ◽  
John S. Dube ◽  
Donald Mlambo
Keyword(s):  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Ecosystem Structure ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
N Transformations ◽  
South West ◽  
Tree Canopies ◽  
Ecosystem Structure And Functioning ◽  
Semi Arid

Abstract:This study investigated the effects of mistletoe infection on N cycling in a semi–arid savanna, south-west Zimbabwe. We established five plots (10 × 10 m) which each included three large canopy-dominantAcacia karrootrees infected by one of three mistletoes (Erianthemum ngamicum,Plicosepalus kalachariensisandViscum verrucosum) and non-infectedA. karrootrees. In each plot, we measured litterfall, litter quality (N, phenolics, tannins and lignin), soil nutrient concentrations and N transformations beneath tree canopies. Soil N, P and Ca were greatest beneath trees infected byP.kalachariensisthan beneath non-infected trees. Litterfall and litter N returns were 1.5, 2 and 1.4 times more beneathA. karrootrees infected byE.ngamicum,P.kalachariensisandV. verrucosum, respectively. Mineral N increased with mistletoe infection but did not exceed 20%. Soil N transformations were greater beneath trees infected byE.ngamicum(> 40%), and lower beneath trees infected byP.kalachariensis(<50%) andV.verrucosum(<48%) than beneath non-infectedA. karrootrees. Soil N transformations were negatively correlated with condensed tannins, lignin and lignin : N. We conclude that the improved N concentration can increase resource heterogeneity, which may alter the ecosystem structure and functioning in the semi-arid savanna.

Use of mistletoes by the Grey Go-away-bird (Corythaixoides concolor , Musophagidae) in a semi-arid savannah, south-west Zimbabwe

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 336-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilton G. T. Ndagurwa ◽  
Elizabeth Nyawo ◽  
Justice Muvengwi
Keyword(s):  
South West ◽  
Semi Arid
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