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Arroyo AI, Pueyo Y, Barrantes O, Alados CL. Interplay between Livestock Grazing and Aridity on the Ecological and Nutritional Value of Forage in Semi-arid Mediterranean Rangelands (NE Spain). ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 73:1005-1015. [PMID: 38300314 PMCID: PMC11024040 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-024-01939-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Rangeland-based livestock production constitutes a primary source of livelihood for many inhabitants of dryland regions. Their subsistence relies heavily on maintaining the productivity, biodiversity and services of these ecosystems. Harsh environmental conditions (e.g., drought) combined with land use intensification (e.g., overgrazing) make dryland ecosystems vulnerable and prone to degradation. However, the interplay between livestock grazing intensity and aridity conditions in driving the conservation and nutritional value of forage in arid and semi-arid rangelands is still not fully understood. In this study, we performed structural equation models (SEM) to assess the simultaneous direct and indirect effects of livestock grazing intensity and aridity level on community structure, diversity, biomass, forage production, forage C:N ratio and forage fiber composition in two semi-arid Mediterranean rangelands, NE Spain. Not surprisingly, we found that higher livestock grazing intensity led to lower community plant cover, especially when combined with higher aridity. However, both increasing grazing intensity and aridity were associated with higher forage production after one year of grazing exclusion. We did not find any adverse effect of livestock grazing on plant diversity, although plant species composition differed among grazing intensity levels. On the other hand, we found an aridity-driven trade-off in regard of the nutritional value of forage. Specifically, higher aridity was associated with a decrease in the least digestible fiber fraction (i.e., lignin) and an increase in forage C:N ratio. More interestingly, we found that livestock grazing modulated this trade-off by improving the overall forage nutritional value. Altogether, our results provide further insights into the management of semi-arid Mediterranean rangelands, pointing out that maintaining traditional rangeland-based livestock production may be a sustainable option as long as rangeland conservation (e.g., community plant cover) is not severely compromised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio I Arroyo
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (IPE), CSIC, Av. Montañana 1005, 50059, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Yolanda Pueyo
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (IPE), CSIC, Av. Montañana 1005, 50059, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Olivia Barrantes
- Departamento de Ciencias Agrarias y del Medio Natural, Facultad de Veterinaria (Universidad de Zaragoza), C/ Miguel Servet 177, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón -IA2- (CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza), C/ Miguel Servet 177, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Concepción L Alados
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (IPE), CSIC, Av. Montañana 1005, 50059, Zaragoza, Spain
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Martins C, Quadros F, Garagorry F, Rossi G. Análise fractal do padrão espacial de plantas em pastagem. ARQ BRAS MED VET ZOO 2020. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-4162-11472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
RESUMO Avaliou-se o uso da análise fractal como ferramenta na determinação de padrões na escala de pastejo em pastagens naturais submetidas a diferentes manejos. Os tratamentos testados em Santa Maria foram: pastejo com queima, pastejo sem queima, exclusão com queima, exclusão sem queima. Em Bagé, os tratamentos avaliados foram: pastagem natural e pastagem natural com introdução de azevém, trevo-branco e cornichão. A caracterização da composição florística da pastagem foi realizada pelo método Botanal. A diversidade da pastagem foi calculada pelos índices de Shannon (H’) e equitabilidade. A informação da dimensão fractal foi calculada pela regressão entre H’(ε) e o logaritmo natural de ε, sendo a inclinação da linha a informação da dimensão fractal. Os índices de Shannon e equitabilidade demonstraram dependência em relação à área amostral, onde a maior diversidade florística e a homogeneidade da frequência de distribuição de plantas entre espécies foram observadas no intervalo amostral de 0,87 e 1,03m2. A dimensão fractal pode ser uma ferramenta na determinação de padrões na comunidade vegetal na escala reduzida de pastejo. A limitação do emprego dessa técnica para escalas reduzidas é a necessidade de um número maior de repetições.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - F.C. Garagorry
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária Pecuária Sul, Brazil
| | - G.E. Rossi
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brazil
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Heger WT, van Andel T. A social-ecological perspective on ecosystem vulnerability for the invasive creeper coralita (Antigonon leptopus) in the Caribbean: A review. Glob Ecol Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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Alados CL, Saiz H, Gartzia M, Nuche P, Escós J, Navarro T, Pueyo Y. Plant-plant interactions scale up to produce vegetation spatial patterns: the influence of long- and short-term process. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Concepción L. Alados
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC); Avda Montañana 1005 P. O. Box 13034 E- 50080 Zaragoza Spain
| | - Hugo Saiz
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC); Avda Montañana 1005 P. O. Box 13034 E- 50080 Zaragoza Spain
- Departamento de Biología y Geología; Física y Química Inorgánica; Universidad Rey Juan. Carlos; C/Tulipán s/n 28933 Móstoles Spain
| | - Maite Gartzia
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC); Avda Montañana 1005 P. O. Box 13034 E- 50080 Zaragoza Spain
| | - Paloma Nuche
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC); Avda Montañana 1005 P. O. Box 13034 E- 50080 Zaragoza Spain
| | - Juan Escós
- Departamento de Producción Animal y Tecnología de los Alimentos; Escuela Politécnica Superior de Huesca; Universidad de Zaragoza; E-22071 Zaragoza Spain
| | - Teresa Navarro
- Departmento de Biología Vegetal; Universidad de Málaga; PO Box 59 29080 Málaga Spain
| | - Yolanda Pueyo
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC); Avda Montañana 1005 P. O. Box 13034 E- 50080 Zaragoza Spain
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de Frutos Á, Navarro T, Pueyo Y, Alados CL. Inferring resilience to fragmentation-induced changes in plant communities in a semi-arid Mediterranean ecosystem. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0118837. [PMID: 25790432 PMCID: PMC4366014 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 01/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Predicting the capacity of ecosystems to absorb impacts from disturbance events (resilience), including land-use intensification and landscape fragmentation, is challenging in the face of global change. Little is known about the impacts of fragmentation on ecosystem functioning from a multi-dimensional perspective (multiple traits). This study used 58 500-m linear transects to quantify changes in the functional composition and resilience of vascular plant communities in response to an increase in landscape fragmentation in 18 natural scrubland fragments embedded within a matrix of abandoned crop fields in Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, Almería, Spain. Changes in functional community composition were measured using functional diversity indices (functional richness and functional dispersion) that were based on 12 plant traits. Resilience was evaluated using the functional redundancy and response diversity from the perspective of plant dispersal, which is important, particularly, in fragmented landscapes. Scrubland fragmentation was measured using the Integral Index of Connectivity (IIC). The functional richness of the plant communities was higher in the most fragmented scrubland. Conversely, the functional dispersion (i.e., spread) of trait values among species in the functional trait space was lower at the most fragmented sites; consequently, the ecological tolerance of the vegetation to scrubland fragmentation decreased. Classifying the plant species into four functional groups indicated that fragmentation favoured an increase in functional redundancy in the ‘short basal annual forbs and perennial forbs’ group, most of which are species adapted to degraded soils. An assessment based on the traits associated with plant dispersal indicated that the resilience of ‘woody plants’, an important component in the Mediterranean scrubland, and habitat fragmentation were negatively correlated; however, the correlation was positive in the ‘short basal annual forbs and perennial forbs’ and the ‘grasses’ groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel de Frutos
- Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (CSIC), Jaca (Huesca), Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Teresa Navarro
- Department of Vegetal Biology, Málaga University, Málaga, Spain
| | - Yolanda Pueyo
- Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (CSIC), Zaragoza, Spain
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Alados CL, Errea P, Gartzia M, Saiz H, Escós J. Positive and negative feedbacks and free-scale pattern distribution in rural-population dynamics. PLoS One 2014; 9:e114561. [PMID: 25474704 PMCID: PMC4256442 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Depopulation of rural areas is a widespread phenomenon that has occurred in most industrialized countries, and has contributed significantly to a reduction in the productivity of agro-ecological resources. In this study, we identified the main trends in the dynamics of rural populations in the Central Pyrenees in the 20th C and early 21st C, and used density independent and density dependent models and identified the main factors that have influenced the dynamics. In addition, we investigated the change in the power law distribution of population size in those periods. Populations exhibited density-dependent positive feedback between 1960 and 2010, and a long-term positive correlation between agricultural activity and population size, which has resulted in a free-scale population distribution that has been disrupted by the collapse of the traditional agricultural society and by emigration to the industrialized cities. We concluded that complex socio-ecological systems that have strong feedback mechanisms can contribute to disruptive population collapses, which can be identified by changes in the pattern of population distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paz Errea
- Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (CSIC), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Maite Gartzia
- Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (CSIC), Nuestra Señora de la Victoria s/n, Jaca, Huesca, Spain
| | - Hugo Saiz
- Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (CSIC), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Juan Escós
- Department of Animal Production and Food Technology, Huesca Polytechnic School, Zaragoza University, Zaragoza, Spain
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Mancilla-Leytón JM, Martín Vicente A, Parejo-Farnés C, Fernández-Ales R, Leiva MJ. A vegetation management experiment: Goats grazing shrublands in Doñana Natural Park. RUSS J ECOL+ 2014. [DOI: 10.1134/s1067413614050117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Saiz H, Alados CL. Effect of livestock grazing in the partitions of a semiarid plant–plant spatial signed network. ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2014.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Pueyo Y, Moret-Fernández D, Saiz H, Bueno CG, Alados CL. Relationships Between Plant Spatial Patterns, Water Infiltration Capacity, and Plant Community Composition in Semi-arid Mediterranean Ecosystems Along Stress Gradients. Ecosystems 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-012-9620-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Saiz H, Alados CL. Changes in semi-arid plant species associations along a livestock grazing gradient. PLoS One 2012; 7:e40551. [PMID: 22792367 PMCID: PMC3392229 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2011] [Accepted: 06/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In semi-arid ecosystems, vegetation is heterogeneously distributed, with plant species often associating in patches. These associations between species are not constant, but depend on the particular response of each species to environmental factors. Here, we investigated how plant species associations change in response to livestock grazing in a semi-arid ecosystem, Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park in South East Spain. We established linear point-intercept transects at four sites with different grazing intensity, and recorded all species at each point. We investigated plant associations by comparing the number of times that each pair of species occurred at the same spatial point (co-occurrences), with the expected number of times based on species abundances. We also assessed associations for each shrub and grass species by considering all their pairs of associations and for the whole plant community by considering all pairs of associations on each site. At all sites, the plant community had a negative pattern of association, with fewer co-occurrences than expected. Negative association in the plant community increased at maximum grazing intensity. Most species associated as expected, particularly grass species, and positive associations were most important at intermediate grazing intensities. No species changed its type of association along the grazing gradient. We conclude that in the present plant community, grazing-resistant species compete among themselves and segregate in space. Some shrub species act as refuges for grazing-sensitive species that benefit from being spatially associated with shrub species, particularly at intermediate grazing intensities where positive associations were highest. At high grazing intensity, these shrubs can no longer persist and positive associations decrease due to the disappearance of refuges. Spatial associations between plant species and their response to grazing help identify the factors that organize plant communities, and may contribute to improving management of semi-arid ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Saiz
- Grupo de Conservación de la biodiversidad, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Restauración, Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Zaragoza, Spain.
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12
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Saravia LA, Giorgi A, Momo F. Multifractal spatial patterns and diversity in an ecological succession. PLoS One 2012; 7:e34096. [PMID: 22470522 PMCID: PMC3312349 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0034096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2011] [Accepted: 02/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We analyzed the relationship between biodiversity and spatial biomass heterogeneity along an ecological succession developed in the laboratory. Periphyton (attached microalgae) biomass spatial patterns at several successional stages were obtained using digital image analysis and at the same time we estimated the species composition and abundance. We show that the spatial pattern was self-similar and as the community developed in an homogeneous environment the pattern is self-organized. To characterize it we estimated the multifractal spectrum of generalized dimensions D(q). Using D(q) we analyze the existence of cycles of heterogeneity during succession and the use of the information dimension D(1) as an index of successional stage. We did not find cycles but the values of D(1) showed an increasing trend as the succession developed and the biomass was higher. D(1) was also negatively correlated with Shannon's diversity. Several studies have found this relationship in different ecosystems but here we prove that the community self-organizes and generates its own spatial heterogeneity influencing diversity. If this is confirmed with more experimental and theoretical evidence D(1) could be used as an index, easily calculated from remote sensing data, to detect high or low diversity areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Ariel Saravia
- Instituto de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento, Los Polvorines, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Structure and spatial self-organization of semi-arid communities through plant–plant co-occurrence networks. ECOLOGICAL COMPLEXITY 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecocom.2011.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Effect of Stipa tenacissima L. on the structure of plant co-occurrence networks in a semi-arid community. Ecol Res 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s11284-011-0818-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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ALADOS CONCEPCIÓNL, NAVARRO TERESA, KOMAC BENJAMIN, PASCUAL VIRGINIA, RIETKERK MAX. Dispersal abilities and spatial patterns in fragmented landscapes. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2010.01465.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Do vegetation patch spatial patterns disrupt the spatial organization of plant species? ECOLOGICAL COMPLEXITY 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecocom.2008.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Pueyo Y, Alados CL, Barrantes O, Komac B, Rietkerk M. Differences in gypsum plant communities associated with habitat fragmentation and livestock grazing. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2008; 18:954-964. [PMID: 18536255 DOI: 10.1890/07-1770.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The negative consequences of habitat fragmentation for plant communities have been documented in many regions of the world. In some fragmented habitats, livestock grazing has been proposed to be a dispersal mechanism reducing isolation between fragments. In others, grazing acts together with fragmentation in a way that increases habitat degradation. Iberian gypsum plant communities have been grazed and fragmented by agricultural practices for centuries. Although their conservation is considered a priority by the European Community, the effects of fragmentation on gypsum plant communities and the possible role of livestock grazing remain unknown. In addition, a substantial proportion of plant species growing in gypsum environments are gypsum specialists. They could be particularly affected by fragmentation, as was found for other habitat specialists (i.e., serpentine and calcareous specialists). In this study (1) we investigated the effect of fragmentation and grazing on gypsum plant community composition (species and life-forms), and (2) we tested to see if gypsum specialists were differently affected by fragmentation and grazing than habitat generalists. A vegetation survey was conducted in the largest gypsum outcrop of Europe (Middle Ebro Valley, northeast Spain). Fragmented and continuous sites in grazed and ungrazed areas were compared. Measurements related to species and composition of life-forms were contrasted first for the whole gypsum plant community and then specifically for the gypsum specialists. In the whole community, our results showed lower plant species diversity in fragmented sites, mainly due to the larger dominance of species more tolerant to fragmented habitat conditions. With livestock grazing, the plant species richness and the similarity in plant species composition between remnants was larger, suggesting that animals were acting as dispersal agents between fragments. As expected, gypsum specialists were less abundant in fragmented areas, and grazing led to the disappearance of the rare gypsum specialist Campanula fastigiata. According to our results, conservation strategies for gypsum plant communities in human-dominated landscapes should consider that fragmentation and grazing modify plant community composition affecting gypsum specialists in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Pueyo
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Copernicus Institute, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.115, Van Unnik building, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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ALADOS CL, GOTOR P, BALLESTER P, NAVAS D, ESCOS JM, NAVARRO T, CABEZUDO B. Association between competition and facilitation processes and vegetation spatial patterns in alpha steppes. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2006. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2006.00559.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Wilsey BJ, Chalcraft DR, Bowles CM, Willig MR. RELATIONSHIPS AMONG INDICES SUGGEST THAT RICHNESS IS AN INCOMPLETE SURROGATE FOR GRASSLAND BIODIVERSITY. Ecology 2005. [DOI: 10.1890/04-0394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 203] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Alados CL, ElAich A, Papanastasis VP, Ozbek H, Navarro T, Freitas H, Vrahnakis M, Larrosi D, Cabezudo B. Change in plant spatial patterns and diversity along the successional gradient of Mediterranean grazing ecosystems. Ecol Modell 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2003.10.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Aitkenhead M, Mustard M, McDonald A. Using neural networks to predict spatial structure in ecological systems. Ecol Modell 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2004.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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