scholarly journals Impact of Livestock Grazing on the Floristic Composition: A Case Study of the Mount of Tessala, Western Algeria

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 186-200
Author(s):  
Cherifi Kouider ◽  
Zoheir Mehdadi ◽  
Ali Latreche ◽  
Zouaoui Hazem ◽  
Wael El Zerey
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Western Algeria ◽  
Components Analysis ◽  
Palatable Species ◽  
The Impact ◽  
North And South ◽  
Grazing Pressures

The present work focuses on evaluating the impact of livestock grazing on the floristic composition in the mount of Tessala (Western Algeria). Phytoecological surveys were carried out at seven stations around north and south slopes of the mount. The obtained results through Principal Components Analysis (PCA) indicated the impact of man and herd on the floristic composition of sampling stations. Indeed, stations where grazing is low, have greater species richness marked by the strong presence of palatable species, unlike stations under permanent grazing, characterized in particular by the appearance of non-palatable species. Moreover, we note the dominance of therophytes at all stations not only due to grazing pressures but also to drought in the study area. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v3i3.11078 International Journal of Environment Vol.3(3) 2014: 186-200

scholarly journals Effects of Grazing Exclusion on Biomass Growth and Species Diversity among Various Grassland Types of the Tibetan Plateau

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suizi Wang ◽  
Jiangwen Fan ◽  
Yuzhe Li ◽  
Lin Huang
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Alpine Meadow ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Grazing Exclusion ◽  
Palatable Species ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Grassland Types

Livestock grazing is an important determinant of species diversity and plant growth. Overgrazing is identified as one of the most important disturbances resulting in grassland degradation. Although many restoration practices have been implemented, grazing exclusion is one of the most effective methods to restore degraded grasslands. We explored the impact of five years of grazing exclusion on plant growth and species diversity in four types of grasslands: temperate steppe (TS), swamp meadow (SM), alpine steppe (AS), and alpine meadow (AM). Our results showed that grazing exclusion increased plant height, coverage, biomass, and species diversity in all four grasslands. The aboveground biomass in AM (180.8%), TS (117.3%), and SW (105.9%) increased significantly more than AS (10.1%). Grazing exclusion in AM had the greatest effect on proportion of palatable species, and the increase in palatable species in AM was higher than that of the other grassland types significantly. Species diversity increased significantly within the enclosure in SM (23.9%) and AM (20.8%). Our results indicate that grazing exclusion is an effective management strategy to restore degraded grasslands and it works best in alpine meadow. This study contributes to the growing theoretical basis for grassland management strategies and has a significant effect on sustainable development for grassland resources and pastoral areas.

scholarly journals Distribution Patterns and Floristic Analysis of the Colymbada Tauromenitana (Guss.) Holub Populations in Sicily (Italy)

2014 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 385-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saverio Sciandrello ◽  
Sonia D’agostino
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Risk Status ◽  
The Third ◽  
Floristic Analysis ◽  
Components Analysis ◽  
Main Factor

AbstractColymbada tauromenitana(Guss.) Holub (Asteraceae) is a rare paleoendem-ic, chasmophyte species, occurring on calcareous cliffs in the eastern part of Sicily (Italy). The aim of this work is to analyze the structure and floristic composition of theC. tauromenitanacommunity, in order to characterize the diversity of populations in relation to different ecological data. In all, 61 plots were examined. For each plot, the floristic composition and the cover of the species were determined using the standard relevé method. Three vegetation types emerged from canonical components analysis (CCA), correlated to a gradient of environmental conditions ranging from the coast to inland areas. The first group withLomelosia creticaandDianthus rupicolasubsp.rupicolawas correlated to thermo-xerophilous conditions (lower thermo-Mediterranean belt), the second group withSilene fruticosaandColymbada tauromenitanawas linked to thermophilous conditions (upper thermo-Mediterranean belt) and the third withDianthus siculusandOdontites boc-coneiwas correlated to mesophilous conditions (meso-Mediterranean belt). Altitude is the main factor influencing both species richness and floristic composition. The density ofC. tauromenitanais influenced mainly by rainfall. Finally, we propose a new risk status for this rare species.

scholarly journals Does Altitude Effect on Species Composition and Diversity on Himalayan Rangeland?

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 26-30
Author(s):  
Dilkumar Limbu ◽  
Madan Koirala ◽  
Zhanhuan Shang
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Altitude Effect ◽  
Wiener Diversity Index ◽  
The Impact

Himalayan rangelands have diverse floristic composition and important ecological services. The floristic diversity and composition play an important role in grassland ecosystem regulation. It is different in altitudinal gradient due to grazing intensity, climatic condition and topography. To reveal the vegetation composition values, this work was conducted on August and September 2011 in Tinjure-Milke mountain ridge, Guphapokhari, Nepal. In the present study we have described the impact of altitude on the species richness, species diversity and dispersion behavior of different plants (grasses) in Himalayan rangeland. The values of community indices were observed to be: RD (0.09 to 49.57), RF (3.57 to 14.71), RA (0.23 to 47.59), IVI (3.89 to 111.87), Shannan-Wiener diversity index (1.09 to 2.23) and species diversity evenness (0.12 to 0.19) at the study area, MilkeJaljale, eastern Nepal. Similarly, Species richness (R) value of 8.87 to 11.86 and Simpson dominant index value of 0.12 to 0.42 were observed. All diversity indices were reversed to altitudinal gradient higher the altitudes lower the values. Species richness of all plants showed a unimodal relationship with altitude. Similarly, negative correlation of density and species richness with altitude and slope was recorded.

Effect of livestock grazing on physical properties of a cracking and self-mulching Vertisol

2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 129 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Taddese ◽  
M. A. Mohamed Saleem ◽  
W. Ayalneh
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Soil Matrix ◽  
Heavy Grazing ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Grazing Pressures

The impact of grazing on physical properties of Vertisol was studied from 1996 to 2000 in the Ethiopian highlands. The study was conducted at 2 sites with 0–4 and 4–8% slopes at Tero Jemjem watershed in Ginchi, 80 km west of Addis Ababa. The objective of the study was to compare selected soil physical properties at different grazing pressures and slopes. The stocking rate was moderate grazing 1.8 animal-unit months per hectare (1.8 AUM/ha), heavy grazing 3.0 AUM/ha and a control treatment with no grazing. The result showed that heavy grazing pressure removed grass cover, which consequently enhanced soil cracking. Effect of livestock trampling on soil resistance to penetration (indicated by penetrometer readings) was higher in the heavily grazed plots than in non-grazed plots. Penetrometer readings were influenced by soil moisture content. Low moisture content was observed in the heavily grazed plots at both sites. The infiltration of accumulated water to the soil matrix was lower in heavily grazed plots.

scholarly journals Floristic composition and structure of the Kibate Forest along environmental gradients in Wonchi, Southwestern Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Misganaw Meragiaw ◽  
Zerihun Woldu ◽  
Vegard Martinsen ◽  
Bal R. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Community Types

AbstractDry evergreen montane forests in Ethiopia are severely threatened. The status of species composition and structure of forest vegetation are important indicators to understand the trends of threats on local plant communities. In the present study, we examined the floristic composition and structure of the Kibate Forest, Wonchi Highland, Ethiopia along environmental gradients. Sixty-six (30 m × 30 m) plots were established every 100 m interval along altitudinal gradients (2811‒3073 m a.s.l.) in five transect lines for vegetation and environmental data collection. In total, 125 vascular plant species belonging to 104 genera and 52 families were identified. Eighteen species (14%) were endemic to Ethiopia and Eritrea. The two most dominant families, Asteraceae (29 species) and Lamiaceae (eight species) accounted for 30% of the total number of species. The highest number of species (54%) was herbs. Four major community types (viz., Olinia rochetiana-Myrsine melanophloeos, Ilex mitis-Galiniera saxifraga, Erica arborea-Protea gaguedi, and Hagenia abyssinica-Juniperus procera) were identified. The highest species richness, evenness, diversity, and importance value index were in community types 2 and 4. About 82% of the species and all endemic taxa except five were recorded in these two community types. The most dominant woody species were O. rochetiana, E. arborea, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, Myrica salicifolia, I. mitis var. mitis, and H. abyssinica with different patterns of population structure. The results show that there was a weak correlation between species richness and altitude. Our findings confirm that environmental variables both with interactions (such as altitude) and without interactions (such as livestock grazing) significantly (p < 0.05) affect species richness. Anthropogenic activities and overgrazing by livestock appear to be the main threat in community types 2 and 3. Urgent management practices and conservation measures such as prohibiting forest clearing and overgrazing and planting indigenous trees through community participation should be considered in community types that are rich in endemic species but are highly threatened.

scholarly journals Subalpine vegetation in Giresun Mountains (Turkey)

2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rena Hüseyinova ◽  
Erkan Yalçin
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Vegetation Classification ◽  
Analysis Techniques ◽  
Chemical Factors ◽  
Subalpine Grasslands ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
North And South

AbstractIn this study, the subalpine vegetation in the Giresun Mountains of northern Turkey was investigated. The study area included north- and south-facing slopes at altitudes ranging betweenc.2000 and 2500 meters. For vegetation classification and for describing the relationships between vegetation and environment, traditional Braun-Blanquet methods and multivariate analysis techniques were used. The vegetation mainly consisted of subalpine grasslands and coniferous cushion scrubs.Caricetea curvulaeandAstragalo microcephali-Brometea tomentelliwere found to be dominant syntaxa in the vegetation of the study area. Land topography, soil physical and chemical factors and species richness have important impacts on the development of subalpine vegetation according to the results of multivariate analysis. Three associations and two subassociations were newly determined and classified. Hemicryptophytes, chamaephytes and geophytes participated in the floristic composition of these syntaxa. EUNIS habitat code and names for described syntaxa were also proposed.

scholarly journals Adopción de especies nativas en la gestión de espacios verdes públicos sostenibles: El caso de Hermosillo

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
María Magdalena Bernal Grijalva ◽  
Luis Alan Navarro Navarro ◽  
José Luis Moreno Vázquez
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Regulatory Framework ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Global Trend ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City ◽  
Semi Arid

The relevance of the sustainable management of public green spaces (PGSs) has increased as a result of the global trend of urban growth, especially in arid and semi-arid cities where planners are faced with the challenge of maintaining or increasing plant cover (PC) without increasing water consumption. This study analyzed legal and administrative documents concerning the regulatory framework for PGS in the city of Hermosillo. In addition, the floristic composition and PC of a sample of PGSs (n = 112) was estimated and the impact of this framework was determined using a case study. Our results indicate that the afforestation pattern derived from the current regulatory framework is unsustainable, and it results in insufficient PC in green spaces. On average, exotic species accounted for 62% of the afforestation pattern and PC averaged 27%.

scholarly journals The effect of exotic grass Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R.D.Webster (Poaceae) in the reduction of species richness and change of floristic composition of natural regeneration in the Floresta Nacional de Carajás, Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 88 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 589-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
LEANDRO V. FERREIRA ◽  
PIA PAROLIN ◽  
DARLEY C.L. MATOS ◽  
DENISE A. CUNHA ◽  
PRISCILLA P. CHAVES ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Urochloa Decumbens ◽  
Exotic Grass ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT The introduction of exotic species is considered as one of the major causes of biodiversity loss. The National Forest of Carajás is one of the largest mineral provinces in the world. Mining activities caused changes of the natural habitats, leaving degraded areas after the mineral exploitation. One of the mining areas within FLONA Carajás was used for the extraction of gold. In the process of exploitation, a huge depression was formed by the removal of soil which was mounded up nearby. To prevent soil erosion of these mounds, an exotic grass, Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R.D.Webster (Poaceae) was planted. The objective of this study was to compare the impact of this non-native grass on species richness and species composition of the natural regeneration in the degraded areas. Four areas were compared, two with and two without presence of U. decumbens. In each area, twenty four 1m²/plots were established. Species richness of the regeneration areas and population sizes were significantly lower in the plots where the exotic grass was present. Our study shows that U. decumbens had a negative effect on species richness and population density, and its presence changed the species composition and distribution of life forms of the natural regeneration.

scholarly journals Specific remnants of old iron-ore extraction sites as islands of plant species richness

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Podgórska
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Iron Ore ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Forest Communities ◽  
Native Flora ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIn the Old-Polish Industrial Region (Southern Poland, Central Europe), specific remnants of former iron-ore extraction occur. These interesting post-mining habitats influence the plant cover which emerges on them. In this paper, I analyzed the impact of the former iron-ore mining on the increase of plant species richness in forest communities. I analyzed the floristic composition of 100 phytosociological relevés (plots) made in the mining areas, their surroundings and 100 associated soil samples. I found that within the island communities developing in the former mining fields, there was a considerable increase in the number of species of native flora (in comparison with communities of nontransformed areas). This increase in species richness is caused chiefly by the increased proportion of species characteristic of the syntaxa from the Querco-Fagetea class – species exclusively attached to the mesophilous forest communities developing in gob piles whose limits are marked by the material extracted and scattered around in ancient times. My research suggested that in this case, mining activity exerted a positive influence on the biodiversity in forested areas, improving the quality of soils and creating mesophilous forest communities growing on remnants of former iron-ore extraction, which are specific islands among acidophilous forest communities growing in the non-transformed areas.

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