Hyper-arid tall shrub species have differing long-term responses to browsing management. Issue 1 (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gallacher, David J.; Khafaga, Tamer
• Is Part Of: Arid land research and management. Volume 34:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 99
• Page End: 116
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: Arid rangeland -- gazelle -- grazing impact -- grazing recovery -- Oryx leucoryx; Arid soils -- Periodicals; Arid regions agriculture -- Periodicals; Desert reclamation -- Periodicals; 631.47154
• DOI: 10.1080/15324982.2019.1605631
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1532-4982

Abstract

Abstract: Hyper-arid rangeland vegetation is typically dominated by large woody species which are often overlooked in herbivory studies. Long-term responses of tall shrub populations to herbivory change are poorly understood in the Arabian Peninsula. Population and size of 1559 individuals from four shrub species were assessed over an 11-year period under two herbivory regimes, one in which domestic livestock (camels) were replaced by semi-wild ungulates (Oryx and gazelles) before, and the other during, the study period. Each shrub species exhibited a different response to the change in herbivory. Populations of Calotropis procera decreased dramatically. Populations of both Calligonum polygonoides and Lycium shawii increased through sexual reproduction, but the spatial distribution of recruits indicated different modes of seed dispersal. Average lifespans were estimated at 22 and 20 years respectively. The persistence strategy of Leptadenia pyrotechnica was similar to tree species of this habitat in that vegetative regrowth was prioritized over recruitment, and average lifespan was estimated at 95 years. Shrub responses to changes in ungulate management are therefore species-specific. The response of individual plant size was faster than the response of population size, which was limited by slow sexual recruitment ( L. pyrotechnica ) or localized seed dispersal ( C. polygonoides ).