The influence of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) on biodiversity in an arid Australian landscape

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 307 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Smyth ◽  
M. Friedel ◽  
C. O'Malley
Keyword(s):  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Functional Group ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Cenchrus Ciliaris ◽  
Native Flora ◽  
Buffel Grass ◽  
Hot Climate ◽  
Environmental Weed ◽  
Grazing Lands ◽  
Land Types

Buffel grass [Cenchrus ciliaris L. syn. Pennisetum ciliare (L.) Link] is an exotic species that has been widely planted in Australian arid and semi-arid grazing lands, and has become an important resource for livestock. It establishes readily and has expanded into such a diversity of land types beyond grazing lands that it is also regarded as a serious environmental weed. Although there is an abundance of literature on the production benefits of buffel grass, there is relatively little about its influence on native flora and fauna in arid Australia, particularly when its cover levels are low. This study attempted to clarify the influence of buffel grass and environmental patterns on the occurrence of ground vegetation, birds, reptiles and ants in a gneissic hill habitat in central Australia where buffel grass has encroached. Despite poor conditions for growth, we were able to distinguish the influence of buffel grass from that of other variables like overstorey cover, soil pH, fire and transect orientation. Cover of buffel grass did not exceed ~20% but it still accounted for a small amount of the variation in the composition of ground vegetation and birds, and of the ‘ground-dwelling’ bird guild and the ‘hot climate specialist’ functional group of ants. There were insufficient reptiles for analysis. We conclude that, even when cover is low, buffel grass can have a detectable influence on some aspects of community dynamics. Given the evidence from published literature and from this study, we expect the influence of buffel grass on the diversity of native flora and fauna to increase, particularly if buffel grass expands into land types previously thought unsuited to its environmental needs.

Habitat use and behaviour of birds in areas invaded by buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) and in restored habitat

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Young ◽  
Christine Schlesinger
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Cenchrus Ciliaris ◽  
Pasture Grass ◽  
Small Areas ◽  
Buffel Grass ◽  
Foraging Guilds

Context Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) is an introduced pasture grass that has spread over large areas of semiarid Australia with potentially significant negative consequences for biodiversity. Previous studies suggest that the response of bird communities to the changes in habitat associated with buffel grass invasion is complex. Aims This study compares the behaviour of birds between sub-sites with predominantly native vegetation where buffel grass had been removed and control sub-sites with buffel grass, which were left unmanaged, at two locations in central Australia. Our objective was to evaluate whether removing buffel grass at small scales had measurable benefits for local bird species and to better understand how the presence of buffel grass affects bird behaviour. Methods We assessed differences in microhabitat use and behaviour of all species combined and when separated into above ground, flexible and ground foraging guilds. We also tested for direct correlations between different cover types and the microhabitat use and behaviour of birds within guilds, with some further analyses of three common species individually. Key results Management of buffel grass was associated with changes in the microhabitat use and behaviour of birds when all species were combined and for all foraging guilds. Buffel grass cover was negatively correlated with the proportional time birds spent on the ground and with proportional time spent foraging. However, of the three species examined individually only the behaviour of white-winged trillers (Lalage tricolor) was consistently correlated with ground vegetation cover. Our observations also suggest birds spent less time overall at sites with high buffel grass. Conclusions Managing buffel grass in small areas creates islands of habitat that provide important opportunities for foraging at a localised scale. Buffel grass and other ground cover affects the behaviour of birds collectively, but individual species responses vary. Implications Management of buffel grass in small areas with high conservation value should be considered. Our study will help to inform land managers of the benefits of controlling buffel grass on a localised scale.

scholarly journals Foeniculum vulgare (fennel).

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Jennifer Datiles ◽  
Ian Popay
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Fire Regimes ◽  
Foeniculum Vulgare ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Invasive Weed ◽  
Editorial Committee ◽  
Native Flora ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Environmental Weed

Abstract Foeniculum vulgare, also known as sweet fennel, is a common kitchen herb used around the world - but it is also a highly invasive weed that can severely damage ecosystems. A risk assessment prepared for Hawaii gave the species a high risk score of 19 (PIER, 2015). F. vulgare is known to alter fire regimes and create dense stands, outcompeting native flora for nutrients and space (DiTomaso et al., 2013; Cal-IPC, 2015). It was listed in the Global Compendium of Weeds as an "agricultural weed, casual alien, cultivation escape, environmental weed, garden thug, naturalised, noxious weed, weed" (Randall, 2012), and is known to be invasive (mostly in natural habitats rather than agricultural land) in California, New Zealand, significant parts of Australia and a number of locations in the Pacific. (PIER, 2015). The species is a principal weed in Mexico and New Zealand, a common weed in Argentina, Australia, Hawaii, and Spain, weedy in Chile, Morocco, Uruguay, the USA, and Venezuela, and it is known to be adventive in China, Colombia (Holm et al., 1979; Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2015; PIER, 2015; Vascular Plants of Antioquia, 2015). It is also reported as invasive in Ethiopia and Kenya. It can regenerate by both seeds and roots, which often makes physical control methods ineffective and chemical control necessary once a population is established.

Economically viable land regeneration in Central Queensland and improved water quality outcomes for the Great Barrier Reef

2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 267 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Star ◽  
P. Donaghy ◽  
J. Rolfe
Keyword(s):  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Sediment Loads ◽  
Land Condition ◽  
Sediment Reduction ◽  
Grazing Lands ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Land Types

The impact of excessive sediment loads entering into the Great Barrier Reef lagoon has led to increased awareness of land condition in grazing lands. Improved ground cover and land condition have been identified as two important factors in reducing sediment loads. This paper reports the economics of land regeneration using case studies for two different land types in the Fitzroy Basin. The results suggest that for sediment reduction to be achieved from land regeneration of more fertile land types (brigalow blackbutt) the most efficient method of allocating funds would be through extension and education. However for less productive country (narrow leaved ironbark woodlands) incentives will be required. The analysis also highlights the need for further scientific data to undertake similar financial assessments of land regeneration for other locations in Queensland.

scholarly journals Ajuste de las especificaciones técnicas del test de viabilidad por tetrazolio en semillas de Cenchrus ciliaris L. (buffel grass)

Agriscientia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-88
Author(s):  
César Germán Agüero
Keyword(s):  
Cenchrus Ciliaris ◽  
Buffel Grass

El objetivo del estudio fue establecer lineamientos para realizar el test de viabilidad de semillas por tetrazolio en Cenchrus ciliaris utilizando los protocolos de Panicum (ISTA, 2012). Se trabajó con fascículos (unidad de dispersión) de Cenchrus ciliaris del cultivar Texas de los cuales se extrajeron cariópsides para realizar los ensayos. Se determinó el método apropiado de corte de cariópsides y los tiempos de tinción; se probaron dos concentraciones de solución de tetrazolio. Además, se desarrollaron protocolos de evaluación. Las condiciones adecuadas para realizar el test de viabilidad son: 18 h de humedecimiento entre papel a temperatura de 20 °C; corte longitudinal incompleto a través del embrión; concentración de tetrazolio al 0,5 o 1 % y 10 h de tinción a 30 °C. Los mapas de tinción permiten diferenciar de forma precisa la viabilidad de las cariópsides.

Salinity response of cultivars of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris)

1970 ◽  
Vol 10 (47) ◽  
pp. 725
Author(s):  
TWG Graham ◽  
LR Humphreys
Keyword(s):  
Solution Culture ◽  
Yield Reduction ◽  
Cenchrus Ciliaris ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Buffel Grass ◽  
Low Salinity ◽  
Salinity Response ◽  
High Yields

Five buffel grass cultivars were grown in solution culture at levels of 0.5, 40, 80, and 160 m. equiv. NaCl/l. Yields did not differ between cultivars at the highest level of NaCl, and the more productive cultivars under low salinity conditions, Tarewinnabar, Biloela, and American, suffered greatest potential yield reduction and accumulated highest sodium concentrations. Biloela cultivar maintained relatively high yields up to the 80 m. equiv. NaCl/l level.

Molecular cloning and characterisation of peroxidases from buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.)

Plant Science ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 110 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette H. Ross ◽  
John M. Manners ◽  
Robert G. Birch
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Cloning ◽  
Cenchrus Ciliaris ◽  
Buffel Grass

Embryogenic Callus Production, Plant Regeneration and Transient Gene Expression Following Particle Bombardment in the Pasture Grass, Cenchrus ciliaris (Gramineae)

1995 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 193 ◽  
Author(s):  
AH Ross ◽  
JM Manners ◽  
RG Birch
Keyword(s):  
Particle Bombardment ◽  
Embryogenic Callus ◽  
Transient Gene Expression ◽  
Production Plant ◽  
Cenchrus Ciliaris ◽  
Embryogenic Calli ◽  
Pasture Grass ◽  
Buffel Grass ◽  
Regenerated Plants ◽  
Shoot Production

Callus initiated from surface sterilised, mature seeds of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) gave rise to an embryogenic form when cultured on Murashige and Skoog's nutrient medium supplemented with 3% sucrose, 5% coconut water and 4 mg L-1 2,4-D. Multiple green shoots regenerated on 20% to 50% of embryogenic calli after transfer to hormone-free medium and incubation in the light. Variations in cytokinin concentration and light intensity during regeneration did not significantly increase the regeneration frequency or the number of shoots produced. Regenerated plants developed normally when transplanted to soil. A high frequency of transient expression of the β-glucuronidase gene resulted following transfer into embryogenic callus by particle bombardment. This is a promising system for production of transformed buffel grass plants, if the frequency of shoot production can be increased.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document