@article{TschoepeWallschlaegerBurkartetal.2011, author = {Tsch{\"o}pe, Okka and Wallschl{\"a}ger, Hans-Dieter and Burkart, Michael and Tielb{\"o}rger, Katja}, title = {Managing open habitats by wild ungulate browsing and grazing a case-study in North-Eastern Germany}, series = {Applied vegetation science : official organ of the International Association for Vegetation Science}, volume = {14}, journal = {Applied vegetation science : official organ of the International Association for Vegetation Science}, number = {2}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1402-2001}, doi = {10.1111/j.1654-109X.2010.01119.x}, pages = {200 -- 209}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Question: Can wild ungulates efficiently maintain and restore open habitats? Location: Brandenburg, NE Germany. Methods: The effect of wild ungulate grazing and browsing was studied in three successional stages: (1) Corynephorus canescens-dominated grassland; (2) ruderal tall forb vegetation dominated by Tanacetum vulgare; and (3) Pinus sylvestris-pioneer forest. The study was conducted over 3 yr. In each successional stage, six paired 4 m(2)-monitoring plots of permanently grazed versus ungrazed plots were arranged in three random blocks. Removal of grazing was introduced de novo for the study. In each plot, percentage cover of each plant and lichen species and total cover of woody plants was recorded. Results: Wild ungulates considerably affected successional pathways and species composition in open habitats but this influence became evident in alteration of abundances of only a few species. Grazing effects differed considerably between successional stages: species richness was higher in grazed versus ungrazed ruderal and pioneer forest plots, but not in the Corynephorus sites. Herbivory affected woody plant cover only in the Pioneer forest sites. Although the study period was too short to observe drastic changes in species richness and woody plant cover, notable changes in species composition were still detected in all successional stages. Conclusion: Wild ungulate browsing is a useful tool to inhibit encroachment of woody vegetation and to conserve a species-rich, open landscape.}, language = {en} } @article{WasiolkaBlaum2011, author = {Wasiolka, Bernd and Blaum, Niels}, title = {Comparing biodiversity between protected savanna and adjacent non-protected farmland in the southern Kalahari}, series = {Journal of arid environments}, volume = {75}, journal = {Journal of arid environments}, number = {9}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {London}, issn = {0140-1963}, doi = {10.1016/j.jaridenv.2011.04.011}, pages = {836 -- 841}, year = {2011}, abstract = {In this study we investigated the effect of different land use options (wildlife versus livestock) on species richness of plants and reptiles in the protected Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP) versus adjacent non-protected farmland within the same savanna habitat type (Aoub dune veld) in the southern Kalahari, South Africa. Our results show that both plant and reptile species richness as well as plant cover and reptile abundance was significantly higher in the protected KTP than in the non-protected farmland. The higher proportion of shrub but lower proportions of perennial grass cover, herb cover, and herb species richness in the farmland can be explained by higher stocking rates and the differences in feeding behaviour between native wild ungulates (e.g. Antidorcas marsupialis, Oryx gazella) and livestock (mainly sheep). The reptile's prey availability and microhabitats (perennial grass tussocks and rodent burrows) for thermoregulation and protection against predators were significantly lower in the farmland. To conclude, our results clearly show that long term effects of different land use options (wildlife in protected KTP versus extensive livestock production in the non-protected farmland) even within the same habitat type have led to significant changes in vegetation composition, availability of microhabitat structures and in the reptile community.}, language = {en} } @article{KhurooWeberMaliketal.2011, author = {Khuroo, Anzar A. and Weber, Ewald and Malik, A. H. and Reshi, Zafar A. and Dar, G. H.}, title = {Altitudinal distribution patterns of the native and alien woody flora in Kashmir Himalaya, India}, series = {Environmental research}, volume = {111}, journal = {Environmental research}, number = {7}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {San Diego}, issn = {0013-9351}, doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2011.05.006}, pages = {967 -- 977}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Background: Many studies have shown that alien species richness pattern follows that of native species richness patterns along environmental gradients, without taking the specific composition of the two groups into account. Objectives: To compare species richness patterns of native and alien woody plants along an altitudinal gradient in Kashmir Himalaya, India, and to analyse the specific composition, e.g. proportion of life forms. Methods: Analysis of secondary data from published floristic inventories. The gradient (500-4800 m asl) was split into 100 m bands and presence/absence data for each species were obtained, for each band. Results: Species richness of both native and alien species followed a hump-shaped distribution. Alien species richness dropped faster above 2000 m asl than the native did. The ratio of trees to shrubs decreased monotonically along the gradient in native species, but showed a peak at c. 2500 m asl in alien species. Alien species flowered in average earlier than native species. Conclusions: The change of species richness of native and alien species along altitude is similar, but the proportion of life forms is not. Most likely both climatic and socio-economic factors affect alien species richness and its specific composition in the Kashmir Himalaya.}, language = {en} }