Herbaceous Species Diversity Research Articles

Initial conditions influence effects of prescribed burns and deer exclosure fences on tree regeneration and understory diversity in Appalachian oak-dominated forests

Sustaining oak-dominated forests that support regionally important biodiversity in the Appalachian Mountains is a substantial challenge for land managers due to mesophication – a region-wide phenomenon in which forest composition shifts from oaks to shade tolerant, mesic species such as maples. To inform oak forest management that includes biodiversity preservation as a management objective, we established a two treatment factorial design experiment at two sites to determine the effects of prescribed fire and deer herbivory on tree regeneration and understory plant diversity in dry oak-dominated forests. Data were collected before and after treatments were applied. Prescribed burns altered species composition to favor fire-adapted species and deer exclosure fences protected woody and herbaceous species sensitive to deer browse at both sites, however the initial conditions in the forests profoundly influenced the effects of these treatments. Prescribed fires promoted oak seedlings over maple seedling where oak seedlings were well stocked. Conversely, burning favored maple seedlings to the detriment of oak seedlings in areas where chronic over-browsing resulted in a depauperate understory. Although fire reduced understory plant cover at both sites, overall understory species richness was not affected by burning. This suggests that prescribed fire did not have detrimental effects on forest understory diversity, although herbaceous species diversity was significantly reduced by burning the site with an initially depauperate understory. Fencing resulted in large increases in species richness and cover of understory plants, including more than doubling the cover of tree seedlings and the abundance of tall seedlings in fenced plots, as well as shifts in understory composition towards species sensitive to deer browse. The herbaceous layer in this study contained nearly 6 species for every one species found in the tree canopy, reaffirming the importance of the herbaceous layer in the biodiversity of Appalachian oak-dominated forests. These results provide guidance to managers of protected areas seeking to enhance oak regeneration while maintaining or promoting native plant diversity in the forest understory.

Woody encroachment of an East‐African savannah ecosystem alters its arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities

The aim of the study was to explore whether the encroachment of an East-African savannah ecosystem by the invasive shrub Dichrostachys cinerea L. Wight & Arn has resulted in changes in the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus (AMF) communities which are associated with roots of the extant herbaceous plant communities. We hypothesized that this could happen either through introducing new AMF taxa, or through inducing changes in the savannah soil environment or plant community composition. We selected five blocks in the savannah plains of the Nech Sar National Park, southern Ethiopia, and in each block, we established nine vegetation plots along a gradient of D. cinerea encroachment. We sampled roots from the encroaching shrub D. cinerea and from three dominant graminoids (Brachiaria deflexa, Chrysopogon plumulosus, Lintonia nutans) and two forbs (Commelina forskaolii, Ruellia prostrata), and used a metagenomics approach to identify the AMF taxa associated with their roots. D. cinerea exhibited higher AMF richness and diversity, and a significantly different AMF community composition, compared with the sampled herbaceous plants in the unencroached plots. Herbaceous plants in sparsely encroached plots harbored a higher AMF diversity as compared to the control plots, while those in densely encroached plots exhibited an intermediate AMF diversity. D. cinerea encroachment, host plant lifeform, soil characteristics and extant herbaceous plant species diversity all affected AMF community composition associated with the herbaceous plant roots. Woody encroachment might have affected AMF communities of the extant herbaceous vegetation in savannah ecosystems both directly, through introducing novel AMF taxa associated with the encroaching shrub species, and indirectly, through encroachment effects on the environment. Restoration of encroached savannahs should therefore take into account the legacy effects of the invader on the microbial communities.

Effects of prescribed grazing by goats on non‐native invasive shrubs and native plant species in a mixed‐hardwood forest

Invasion of non‐native shrubs comprises a serious economic and ecological problem in North American forests. Prescribed grazing by goats may offer an effective alternative to traditional methods of control, but has received little study in forest settings. In a 5‐year field experiment, we varied the stocking of goats and number of grazing periods to determine effects of prescribed grazing on both invasive shrubs and native plant species. Specifically, we examined how varied stocking levels and grazing periods affect: (1) the cover and height of invasive shrub and native woody species (2) the cover and diversity of herbaceous species, and (3) the density of native tree seedlings. Data were analyzed with linear mixed‐effects models. We found that prescribed grazing by goats significantly reduced the cover and height of invasive shrubs, regardless of goat stocking or duration. Generally, the greatest reductions in invasive shrub cover occurred in treatments with two grazing periods, regardless of goat stocking. While we observed mostly neutral or positive effects on the herbaceous layer, all grazing treatments reduced the cover and height of native understory woody species. While changes were not significant, we observed a general decline in the aggregate height of native tree species regeneration. Our results suggest that prescribed grazing by goats provides an effective and environmentally friendly treatment for heavy invasions of non‐native shrubs such as Rosa multiflora, but grazing needs to be followed by focused mechanical or chemical treatments to maintain control while allowing the regeneration of native tree species.

Antibacterial potential of extracts from different Brazilian bamboo species

Since ancient times, bamboos have been used by different cultures in folk medicine for the treatment of many diseases, among them, bacterial infections. Brazil has a great diversity of herbaceous and woody bamboo species, many of them endemic. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial potential of leaf extracts of seven Brazilian native bamboo species: Olyra glaberrima (OG), Parodiolyra micrantha (PM), Aulonemia aristulata (AA), Filgueirasia arenicola (FA), Filgueirasia cannavieira (FC), Merostachys neesii (MN), and Merostachys pluriflora (MP). Antibacterial activity of hexane (HE), hydroethanol (EE), and aqueous (AE) extracts from bamboo leaves were evaluated by the broth microdilution method against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacteria), and Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive bacterium). Hexane extracts were the most active against all bacteria tested and showed a bacteriostatic effect. Hexane extracts of OG, FC, and MP inhibited the growth of B. subtilis; IC50: 0.39, 0.86, and 0.87 mg mL−1, respectively. Almost all HE was active against E. coli, exception for OG and FA extracts; furthermore, the HE of MP was the most active against E. coli, showing the lowest IC50 (1.12 mg mL−1). Overall, the extracts were more promising against P. aeruginosa with HE of MP being the most active extract (IC50: 0.36 mg mL−1). In conclusion, Brazilian native bamboos, like the Asian ones, showed antibacterial activity. Moreover, the most promising studied species was M. pluriflora; HE of MP inhibited the growth of the three bacteria tested.

Impact of <i>Lantana camara</i> Invasion on Herbaceous Species Diversity and Soil Physio-Chemical Properties in Eastern Ethiopia

Lantana camara L. is highly invasive woody species in Ethiopia that with serious social, economic and environmental impact. Examining the potential impact of this invasive species will be needed in planning better strategies. Thus, the study assessed the impact of L. camara invasion on herbaceous species diversity and soil physio-chemical properties in Eastern Ethiopia. To collect the herbaceous species data, 1m x1m plots were laid down in each 60 selected lantana individuals under and outside the cover in four directions. Total of 480 plots was laid down for herbaceous species data collection 240 plots in each under and outside the lantana camara. From each plot, a soil sample was taken from 0- 15cm depth after removing litter from the soil surface for Soil physiochemical analysis. There was higher species richness (49.69), species diversity (H'=1.7253), and evenness (E=1.1305) at outside the L. camara cover area than under L. camara cover. Soil texture had didn’t show a significance difference between under and outside lantana cover, but there was soil texture difference between sampling locations. Soil samples collected under the L. camara cover were high in Soil PH, Organic Matter, Total Nitrogen, and Organic Carbon (p<0.05) when compared to the adjacent outside L. camara cover except for available Phosphors. L. camara invasion has highly affected herbaceous species diversity and alters soil physiochemical properties of the area. So this study confirming its invasiveness and its negative impact on biodiversity appeal, proper control and management actions to be undertaken by government and different stakeholders.

Assessment of Herbaceous Species Diversity in Lede and Galumji, Wawa-Zange Forest Reserve, Gombe State, Nigeria

The study was carried out in Wawa-Zange Forest Reserve. The aim was to investigate the Herbaceous Species Composition and Diversity. Point Centered Quarter (PCQ) Sampling method was used to conduct the study. Data obtained was analyzed for Frequency, Relative Frequency, Density, Relative Density and Importance Value Index. The result obtained showed a total number of twenty. Herbaceous Plant Species. Out of this number 17 were Forbs and 3 were Grasses. They belonged to 9 families and 19 genera. The family Fabaceae (Subfamily Caesalpinoideae, Papilionoideae and Mimosoideae) had 5 species, and Malvaceae had 5 species while Poaceae had 3 species, Rubiaceae had 2 species. Euphorbiaceae, Linderniaceae, Acanthaceae, Commelinaceae and Arecaceae had 1 species each. Simpson’s index of diversity (1 - D) was (0.60) while Shannon-Wiener index was (2.21). The species with the highest importance value index was Urena lobata L. (65.47%) and the species with lowest importance value index were Palisota hirsuta, Cassia rotundifolia, Amorphophallus abyssinicus, and Corchorus olitorius with (2.93%). These plants therefore require urgent conservation measures.

Impacts of Bush Management on Herbaceous Plant Diversity and Biomass and, Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen in Borana Rangelands, Southern Ethiopia

Bush thinning or clearing rangeland management practice in Borana rangelands considered to have a high potential to improve rangeland productivities and soil conditions, yet few studies have quantified the impacts of bush management on herbaceous plants species diversity, biomass and soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen contents. This study was conducted in Yaballo (Hara-woyu Kebele) and Taltale (Sarite kebele) Woreda of Borana zone, to evaluate the impacts of bush management (thinning) on herbaceous plant species composition, diversity, biomass and some selected soil physicochemical properties. Data were collected from bush thinned and bush encroached rangeland management classes at both sites. Sampling plots were placed systematically along the geographic gradient in both of the rangeland management classes at both study sites. Within all plots, herbaceous plants were identified and clipped to the ground, collected and oven-dried to determine biomass. Herbaceous plant species, diversity, biomass and soil organic carbon contents and soil carbon stock were higher under Bush managed (thinned) class compared to bush encroached. However, bush management (thinning) have not shown considerable effects on soil bulk density, pH, nitrogen contents and total nitrogen stock. Thus, understory vegetation and soil organic carbon were influenced by the presence of thinning, but soil bulk density, pH, nitrogen contents were not influenced by thinning in this study. Generally, bush management (thinning) increased the rangeland condition, however; the management is not sustainable in case the thinning practice is not followed recommended procedures because most of the encroacher species are sprout more densely within a short time.

Exclosure land management for restoration of herbaceous species in degraded communal grazing lands in Southern Tigray

ABSTRACT Herbaceous species contribute to the largest proportion of the fodder. Despite the profound benefits obtained, anthropogenic disturbances are hindering its development. On the other hand, to ensure the sustainability of herbaceous species, communities and governments have been putting efforts in managing herbaceous species through the establishment of area exclosure (AE). Thus, the main importance of this research paper is to provide information about the role of AE on the restoration of herbaceous species. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of restoration on the herbaceous species following AE established on communal grazing land (CGL). A total of 124 and 73 quadrats of 1×1m2 size were laid down at 50 m intervals along parallel transects at AE and CGL, respectively, and data were analyzed by t-test unequal variances using R-software. AE displayed higher plant species richness and diversity than the CGL and showed a significant difference (p<0.001). Similarly, the AE had significantly (p< 0.001) higher forage biomass than the CGL. In general, herbaceous species diversity index and species richness were significantly (p< 0.001) higher in the AE compared to the CGL. The study concluded that effective AE has the potential to enhance the restoration of herbaceous species and hence forage productivity.

Effect of Dichrostachys cinerea encroachment on plant species diversity, functional traits and litter decomposition in an East‐African savannah ecosystem

AbstractQuestionsWoody encroachment is increasingly affecting biodiversity and ecosystem functioning of savannah ecosystems worldwide, yet the direction and magnitude of these impacts often seem context‐dependent. Here, we investigated the potential of a trait‐based framework to understand the effect of the encroaching shrub Dichrostachys cinerea on plant species diversity and litter decomposition in a savannah system.LocationSavannah plains of Nech Sar National Park, South‐Ethiopian rift valley.MethodsWe conducted a three‐month litter burial experiment using two standard ‘tea bag index’ litter types and three local litter types across 45 vegetation plots, equally spread across unencroached, sparsely encroached and densely encroached savannah locations. We additionally quantified the specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, leaf nitrogen content and leaf area of both D. cinerea and all common savannah species in each plot, and surveyed soil characteristics and species diversity and composition at the plot level. Using this set‐up we explored the potential of the four recorded plant traits to predict changes in litter decomposition following D. cinerea encroachment, in addition to changes in soil characteristics and savannah species diversity and composition.ResultsDichrostachys cinerea encroachment introduced novel functional trait values that reoriented community level resource use towards a more acquisitive strategy. These trait changes were partly associated with a reduction of decomposition rates within encroached areas compared to unencroached areas. Unexpectedly, encroachment resulted in increased, rather than decreased, herbaceous species diversity in sparsely invaded plots, but not in densely invaded plots. Species composition nonetheless shifted strongly following encroachment, indicating a strong species turnover, likely towards more shade‐tolerant species.ConclusionsFunctional traits can partly help explain effects of encroachment on litter decomposition, but other environmental and biotic drivers nonetheless seem to additionally impact decomposition rates.

Influence of Deer Hunting and Residual Stand Structure on Tree Regeneration in Deciduous Forests

ABSTRACTChronically overabundant white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations have made it difficult to regenerate desirable woody species throughout much of their range in the eastern United States and southern Canada. Neither silvicultural prescriptions nor deer management alone have resulted in successful forest regeneration. We tallied woody stems (≥1 m tall, &lt;10 cm diameter) on 62 hunted and 46 nonhunted forest stands throughout Connecticut, USA, during autumn 2015 to spring 2018; all stands had a timber regeneration harvest from 2–12 years prior to our study (2003–2016). Our objective was to examine the influence of the combination of deer management and residual stand structure on woody regeneration diversity, density, and composition. After accounting for the influence of stand structures over a range of residual basal areas from 0–23 m2/ha, we found that deer had a negative effect on regeneration diversity, density, and species composition. Moreover, we found that the combination of state‐regulated deer hunting and forest‐overstory removal resulted in greater woody‐plant regeneration rates with increased diversity. Stem densities of oak–hickory (Quercus spp.–Carya spp.), maple (Acer spp.), and minor species, as well as combined species, were greater in hunted versus nonhunted stands, and in clearcuts as opposed to 2‐aged and shelterwood stands. American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and shrub species did not differ in stem density regardless of hunting or treatment prescription. Our study indicates that for properties where the management goal is to create dense vegetation with high tree, shrub, and herbaceous species diversity, managers should both encourage hunting to reduce pressure on browse‐sensitive species and leave as few postharvest residual trees as possible to maximize growing space for regeneration. A lack of deer harvest and overstory removal in southern New England resulted in low diversity vegetation dominated by lesser preferred species such as birch (Betula spp.) or American beech. The use of hunting as a tool to relieve browsing pressure will improve both woody and herbaceous plant regeneration where light is not limited. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.

Thinning effects on forest evolution in Masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) conversion from pure plantations into mixed forests

Monocultural coniferous plantations have prevailed worldwide in recent decades, which supplied much of the world’s timber, but also exerted some negative effects on local ecologies and environmental systems. Continuous development has increased the various demands of human society for forests and it is necessary to balance concerns for the ecological and economic functions. Ample evidence indicates that mixed forests are an ideal option for providing more diversified ecological services and forest goods. Converting pure forests into mixed forests by introducing broad-leaved hardwood species below coniferous plantations has become an increasingly popular forest management strategy. Yet, there has been not enough research to date on suitable management methods for enhancing forest diversity and resilience in the context of forest conversion. To comprehensively examine how the intensity in Masson pine thinning influences forest evolution, seedlings of two native hardwood species were introduced below unthinned and thinned (varying intensity) Masson pine plantations. The effects of thinning on residual tree growth, seedling survival and growth, and understory vegetation development were analyzed using a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM). Monitoring results over 10 years indicate that thinning is a necessary management measure to accelerate forest succession in the conversion process; thinning exerts significant effects on the growth of residual trees, the survival and growth of seedlings, and the development of understory vegetation. Intense thinning results in more residual tree growth and enhances the richness and diversity of herbaceous species. However, excessive thinning can reduce the likelihood of seedling survival and growth as well as the richness and diversity of shrubs. Optimal thinning intensities appear to fall between 50% and 60% depending on the specific introduced species; light-demanding species may need higher overstory thinning intensity than shade-tolerant species. The biological characteristics of the introduced species must be taken into account to design an effective thinning strategy for pine plantations conversion.

Impacts of Climatic Factors on Vegetation Species Diversity, Herbaceous Biomass in Borana, Southern Ethiopia

The study was conducted in three districts of Borana Zone, with the objective to determining the impacts of climatic factors on vegetation species diversity, herbaceous biomass yield of Borana rangelands under commonial grazing rangeland types during end of growing season. The most types rangeland of communial properties are traditional enclosure and continuous grazing rangeland from in where our different data were collected. Within both rangeland types of each districts 20 m × 20 m plots that placed at 200 m distances intervals with three replication was used to collect woody vegetation. The data of herbaceous plant community was collected from seventeen quadrants (1 m ×1 m) that layout in the main plot. The collected data was analyzed by linear regression to determine the impact of climate factors. The herbaceous species richness, diversity and biomass study sites had highly significantly difference (P < 0.001) and positive linear with mean annual precipitation. There is significantly difference (P < 0.05) and negative linear in woody species richness and diversity. Both herbaceous and woody plant species richness and diversity of study areas had a negative linear with mean annual temperature. Climate factors specieally rianfall have a great impact on semi-arid rangeland ecosystems of study areas. Therefore, semi-arid rangeland user should be considering climatic factors to improve productivity of rangeland at semi-arid enviroments.

Woody plant encroachment into coastal grasslands: consequences for soil properties and plant diversity

Northeastern U.S. coastal grasslands are biologically, culturally, and historically significant but are being lost through the invasion of woody plants, including native species Gaylussacia baccata Wangenh. and Smilax rotundifolia L. Soil changes induced by these woody plants have important implications for herbaceous species diversity and restoration potential. We determined the effects of young and old G. baccata and S. rotundifolia patches on soil properties and plant diversity and identified relationships among soil properties and plant diversity. On a coastal grassland on Naushon Island (MA, USA) in 2015 and 2016, we used a time sequence of satellite imagery to identify young ( 20 years) patches of G. baccata and S. rotundifolia. In these areas and in remaining grassland patches, we sampled soil properties, leaf 15N, and herbaceous plant diversity. All soils had low pH and higher extractable NH4+ than NO3−. G. baccata had relatively low extractable soil NO3−, soil potential nitrification, and leaf δ15N, while S. rotundifolia had relatively high extractable soil NH4+, low soil pH, and high leaf %N. Herbaceous plant diversity was low under S. rotundifolia and nearly absent under G. baccata, and most effects were more pronounced in older woody plant patches. Species diversity correlated with different soil variables between the two woody plants, indicating different mechanisms may drive diversity loss. Especially in older woody plant patches, restoration efforts should take into account soil changes, such as by making use of soil amendments. This could help offset soil effects after woody plant clearance and better enable grassland species recovery.

Growth control of herbaceous ground cover and egg quality from an integrated poultry-hazelnut orchard system

The present study was designed to assess the impact of hen grazing on plant biodiversity in the ground cover of hazelnut orchards, as well as the quality of eggs from hens grazing in the orchards. Two different sites of hazelnut orchards located in Basilicata region were selected to conduct this study. The results showed that hen grazing affected the composition of herbaceous stratum of the orchards. By using the quadrat method, a total of 99 (46 in site A and 53 in site B) plant species were identified at the beginning of the trial. After hen grazing, the number of identified plants dropped to 72 (30 in site A and 42 in site B). Amongst the most consumed species we found Lolium sp., Trifolium sp., Polygonum sp., Cichorium intybus, Cynodon dactylon. Alpha diversity analysis (species richness, diversity and evenness) as well as beta diversity analysis (Morisita-Horn and Sørensen indices) confirmed that hen grazing played a role in controlling vegetation growth. Concerning egg quality, most of the chemical parameters differed significantly when comparing the eggs from the sites with those from the control group, indicating that egg quality was influenced by the food resources available in each site. Overall, our results confirm that poultry may play a positive role in an orchard system. Highlights - The impact of an integrated poultry-hazelnut orchard system on herbaceous plant species diversity and on egg quality was evaluated. - Hen grazing may benefit herbaceous ground cover biodiversity of the orchards. - Egg quality may be affected by the food resources available in the orchards.

Year-to-year crop shifts promote weed diversity in tropical permanent rainfed cultivation

In the past decades, the expansion and modernisation of agriculture in the mountainous areas of Southeast Asia has had severe impacts on biodiversity, as the once species-rich forests were turned into homogeneous fields receiving ample external inputs. A common feature of permanent cropping with annual crops is the frequent change of crop choice, depending on market opportunities or other motives. However, the precise effect of crop shifts on weeds in tropical areas is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the short-term effect of crop sequences on the diversity of weed communities in smallholder fields of Northern Thailand. Crop choices were upland rice, maize, fallow and young tree plantations with or without intercrop. We counted the number of crop shifts and the number of crops involved during a 3-years period preceding weed sampling. We showed that the number of crop shifts did not affect weed density and biomass. However, herbaceous species number and diversity (measured as Shannon index) increased by 36% and 46% respectively, while herbaceous species dominance decreased by 38%, in fields with yearly crop shifts compared to fields with no shifts in the previous three years. The effect of a particular crop on diversity, or the effect of intercropping with young trees, was weaker. It was likely due to the more variable resources (especially light) in fields with two crop shifts, allowing species with different niches to co-exist. Crop type and frequent crop shifts did not affect shrub and tree species number, diversity or dominance. Some species were strongly associated with fields with no crop shift in the sequence (e.g. the tree Antidesma velutinosum) or to fields with two crop shifts in the sequence (e.g. the herb Centella asiatica, the C4 grass Digitaria radicosa). Overall, this study showed that in this agronomical system, maintaining yearly crop shifts does not significantly affect weed abundance, but supports in-field plant species diversity, which is likely to impact the services provisioned by tropical mountainous agro-ecosystems.

Carbon sequestration and vegetation properties across the age of community managed exclosures in Northern Ethiopia

Exclosure management is becoming a common approach to rehabilitate and increase net biomass productivity of extremely degraded areas in Northern Ethiopia. However, the effect of age of exclosures on vegetation and soil property of communal lands is not yet well studied. In this study, the effect of land exclusion and age of exclosure on plant species richness, diversity, density and dominance, herbaceous standing biomass, woody biomass, woody biomass carbon, soil organic carbon (SOC) and other soil properties were assessed. To study the above listed variables, exclosures in three age classes (5–7, 12–15 and >20 years) and adjacent free grazing areas were selected. We replicate each age class three times considering agroecological similarity. From each exclosure and free grazing area, six larger plots (10m × 20m) each having five small quadrats were taken. Totally, 72 larger plots and 360 small quadrats were sampled. The result of this study indicates that exclusion of communal lands significantly improved species richness, diversity, biomass, woody biomass carbon, SOC, total nitrogen (TN) and total potassium (TK). Similarly, the density of perennial species and the density of grass species were found increased with the age of exclosure. Herbaceous species richness, diversity and annual species density were higher in the young-aged exclosures than in the older exclosures. Woody species richness, diversity, density, biomass, and woody biomass carbon were highest in the older exclosures. Besides, age of exclosure increases the content of SOC, TN and TK. Furthermore, it was found that the old-aged exclosures stored more biomass carbon (267 %) and SOC (37.66 %) than the young-aged exclosures. The study indicates the benefits of land exclosure for permanent carbon storage, which is vital to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas concentration.

EFFECTS OF THE ABUNDANCE OF PARTHENIUM HYSTEROPHORUS ON THE COMPOSITION AND DIVERSITY OF OTHER HERBACEOUS PLANT SPECIES IN SIMANJIRO RANGELAND, TANZANIA

Parthenium hysterophorus is an annual herbaceous plant native to tropical America; and an invasive plant in Africa causing distressing effects on natural flora. This study investigated the effects of P. hysterophorus on the composition and diversity of native herbaceous plant species in Simanjiro rangeland, Tanzania. Plant species count data were collected from 60 (1m2) quadrats. Using generalized linear models (GLM), the abundance of P. hysterophorus was regressed against the abundance and diversity of the native herbaceous plants. Also, Jaccard’s similarity index was used to compare species composition. Results showed that there were 14 herbaceous plant species belonging to 13 genera and 10 families in the study area. Parthenium hysterophorus was the most dominant species recorded. The abundance of P. hysterophorus has a substantial negative effect on the abundance and diversity of other herbaceous plant species. Moreover, Jaccard’s similarity index showed a slightly significant difference between the infested and non-infested areas. This finding suggests that P. hysterophorus has a substantial potential threat on other herbaceous flora which are sources of food and nutrients to livestock and wild animals in the area. Thus, integrated management strategies are required to control the weed from spreading to other nearby rangelands.

How do the green components of urban green infrastructure influence the use of ecosystem services? Examples from Leipzig, Germany

ContextThe pressure on remaining open spaces of urban green infrastructure (UGI) is high due to increasing urbanization and the multiple requirements of a diverse urban population. Thus, a good quality and high capacity for ecosystem services of UGI is crucial to support a good quality of life.ObjectivesThis study analyses the influence of tree cover and other green parameters like species richness on ecosystem service use in urban parks and green brownfields. The outcomes contribute to design and management of resilient UGI.MethodsWe assessed the diversity of woody and herbaceous flowering species in 36 study sites with low, medium and high tree cover in the city of Leipzig, Germany. UGI users were counted, and randomly selected visitors (n = 1750) were interviewed about their use of ecosystem services.ResultsWe found tree cover in urban parks negatively influencing physical interactions used by respondents. In parks with high tree cover, more respondents were benefitting from regulating services such as noise mediation or shade provision. Brownfield visitors preferred sites with low to medium tree cover, mainly for walking the dog but also for other ecosystem services. Plant species richness did not show significant influence.ConclusionsTree cover in parks and brownfields can be a predictor for a range of ecosystem services typically used by visitors, highlighting how vegetation or green structures in UGI can be employed to steer the use. Brownfields provide additional space for complementary ecosystem service use, thus contributing to the avoidance of potential use conflicts in managed UGI like parks.

Do Herbaceous Species Functional Groups Have a Uniform Pattern along an Elevation Gradient? The Case of a Semi-Arid Savanna Grasslands in Southern Ethiopia.

Knowledge of the total (overall) and individual herbaceous vegetation species relating to a distinctive site might help in the development of management strategies for a large number of threatened herbaceous species. This paper assesses the total and functional group herbaceous biomass, species richness, evenness, and diversity at four elevation classes in Borana rangelands of arid thorn bush savanna grasslands in Southern Ethiopia. At each elevation class, a grid of 20 × 20 m main plot was placed, and individual herbaceous species samples were collected randomly from five 1 m2 quadrants within the main plot. Using a single-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA), the effects of four elevation classes were considered on whole-vegetation, grasses, graminoid, and forb species diversity, evenness, richness, and biomass. A total of 49 herbaceous species were recorded. Of the total identified herbaceous species, three grass species and two graminoid species were found across all studied elevation classes, but the forb species did not overlap along the studied elevation classes. The total richness, diversity, and evenness of herbaceous species were considerable and significant along elevation classes. The grass, graminoid, and forb species richness, diversity, and evenness responded differently, and the functional group of species may be a good indicator of the community processes of grassland across elevation classes. The contribution of forb richness to the total richness was more pronounced than grass and graminoid, which indicates the shift of savanna grassland to grazing tolerant herbaceous species. The results suggest that the pooled data analysis of herbaceous vegetation community structure and biomass could obscure complicate trends of the functional group at elevation classes and for managing herbaceous species in savanna grasslands, the management models should focus on the functional group species composition, community structure, and biomass.

The Availability of Non-Timber Forest Products under Forest Succession on Abandoned Fields along the Wild Coast, South Africa

Large swathes of arable fields have been abandoned in many areas of the world over the last few decades driven by a multitude of local and broader-scale factors. Many former fields experience a change in vegetation composition and structure post-abandonment, typically through a process of plant succession. The changes in species and abundance mean that the nature and quantity of ecosystem services provided by the former fields also varies. We examined the types of provisioning services obtained from non-timber forest products (NTFPs) with increasing age since field abandonment. We sampled 43 former fields ranging in age since abandonment from approximately 7 to 55 years, and seven plots in intact forests. We held seven focus group discussions with local residents to determine uses of species found in the former fields. Plant cover and species richness increased with former field age, although old field community composition was also influenced by soil chemistry. Of the 177 species recorded, 70 (40%) had one or more uses, spanning six NTFP categories namely, food, building, medicinal, craft, cultural and energy. The number of NTFP species increased with increasing age of the former field, but the proportion of NTFP species declined from 80% in the youngest former fields to 65% in the oldest ones, which were similar to the 63% recorded within intact forests. The youngest former fields had more medicinal species than the older ones, as the abundance and diversity of herbaceous species declined with increasing woody plant cover. Species used for building and food (especially fruits) peaked when the former fields became dominated by woody plants. NTFPs used for craft were most abundant in the oldest sites.