Knowledge Resource Center for Ecological Environment in Arid Area
DOI | 10.1890/11-0802.1 |
Global assessment of the non-equilibrium concept in rangelands | |
von Wehrden, Henrik1,2; Hanspach, Jan2,3; Kaczensky, Petra4; Fischer, Joern2; Wesche, Karsten5 | |
通讯作者 | von Wehrden, Henrik |
来源期刊 | ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS |
ISSN | 1051-0761 |
出版年 | 2012 |
卷号 | 22期号:2页码:393-399 |
英文摘要 | The non-equilibrium concept of rangeland dynamics predicts that the potential for grazing-induced degradation is low in rangelands with relatively variable precipitation. To date, evidence in support of the non-equilibrium concept has been inconsistent. Using a standardized protocol, including a newly developed global map of rainfall variability, we reviewed the incidence of degradation in relation to rainfall variability across 58 published studies. We distinguished between (1) zonal degradation (i.e., degradation independent of water and key resources), (2) degradation in the presence of key resources, and (3) degradation in the presence of water. For studies not affected by proximity to permanent water or key resources, we found strong support for the non-equilibrium concept for rangelands. Zonal degradation was absent at CV (coefficient of variation) values above 33%, which has been proposed as a critical threshold. Grazing degradation was almost entirely restricted to areas with relatively stable annual precipitation as expressed by a low CV, or to rangelands with key resources or water points nearby. To better understand rangeland dynamics, we recommend that future studies use globally comparable measures of degradation and rainfall variability. Our work underlines that rangelands with relatively stable rainfall patterns, and those with access to water or key resources, are potentially vulnerable to degradation. Grazing management in such areas should incorporate strategic rest periods. Such rest periods effectively mimic natural fluctuations in herbivore populations, which are a defining characteristic of non-degraded rangelands occurring under highly variable precipitation regimes. |
英文关键词 | climatic variability degradation drylands grazing rainfall rangeland management |
类型 | Article |
语种 | 英语 |
国家 | Germany ; Austria |
收录类别 | SCI-E |
WOS记录号 | WOS:000302516900002 |
WOS关键词 | INDUCED LAND DEGRADATION ; VEGETATION DYNAMICS ; GRAZING SYSTEMS ; LIVESTOCK ; DIVERSITY ; FIRE ; GRASSLAND ; DESERTIFICATION ; HETEROGENEITY ; DISTURBANCE |
WOS类目 | Ecology ; Environmental Sciences |
WOS研究方向 | Environmental Sciences & Ecology |
资源类型 | 期刊论文 |
条目标识符 | http://119.78.100.177/qdio/handle/2XILL650/172012 |
作者单位 | 1.Univ Luneburg, Ctr Methods, D-21335 Luneburg, Germany; 2.Univ Luneburg, Inst Ecol, Fac 3, D-21335 Luneburg, Germany; 3.UFZ Helmholtz Ctr Environm Res, UFZ, D-06120 Halle, Germany; 4.Univ Vet Med, Res Inst Wildlife Ecol, A-1160 Vienna, Austria; 5.Senckenberg Museum Nat Hist Gorlitz, Dept Bot, D-02806 Gorlitz, Germany |
推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714 | von Wehrden, Henrik,Hanspach, Jan,Kaczensky, Petra,et al. Global assessment of the non-equilibrium concept in rangelands[J],2012,22(2):393-399. |
APA | von Wehrden, Henrik,Hanspach, Jan,Kaczensky, Petra,Fischer, Joern,&Wesche, Karsten.(2012).Global assessment of the non-equilibrium concept in rangelands.ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS,22(2),393-399. |
MLA | von Wehrden, Henrik,et al."Global assessment of the non-equilibrium concept in rangelands".ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 22.2(2012):393-399. |
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