Defoliation of Flourensia cernua (tarbush) with high-density mixed-species stocking
| Autor: | Dean M. Anderson, Darren K. James, Richard E. Estell |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2016 |
| Předmět: |
0106 biological sciences
Ecology biology business.industry ved/biology ved/biology.organism_classification_rank.species 0402 animal and dairy science Flourensia cernua High density Forage 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences biology.organism_classification 040201 dairy & animal science 010603 evolutionary biology 01 natural sciences Shrub Mixed species Stocking Agronomy Livestock Rangeland business Ecology Evolution Behavior and Systematics Earth-Surface Processes |
| Zdroj: | Journal of Arid Environments. 130:62-67 |
| ISSN: | 0140-1963 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2016.03.013 |
| Popis: | Interest in shrub use by livestock is increasing along with the rising demands placed on rangelands worldwide. Historically, Flourensia cernua (tarbush) has increased in the Chihuahuan Desert but receives limited use by cattle. Cattle, sheep and goats co-grazed eight 0.6 ha tarbush-dominated paddocks during two periods for up to nine days during two consecutive years. Cumulative tarbush defoliation across periods and years averaged 75.6%, with a mean increase of 9.3%/day ( P P P = 0.0345) 0.6 kg/hd in period 1, but the gain in period 2 was not significant ( P = 0.2934). During 1990, goats lost 3.1 kg/hd ( P = 0.0001) across periods. High-density mixed-species stocking of small areas for short time periods resulted in extensive tarbush use, primarily due to browsing by sheep and goats. Targeted use of tarbush for short time intervals may increase use of this highly nutritious forage and potentially serve as a form of biocontrol for this shrub. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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