An exploration of direct and indirect drivers of herbivore reproductive performance in arid and semi arid rangelands by means of structural equation models

Texeira, Marcos; Baldi, Germán; Paruelo, José M.

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2012.01.017

Cited by 15 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 47 publications

(53 reference statements)

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“…Moreover, it could specifically determine the causal relationships between potential independent variables and responsive variables and consequently systematically examine the interactive effects of contributing factors exerting on the responsive results (Grace 2006). SEM has been applied to deal with many complex and challenging problems in ecological studies (Austin 2007;Larson and Grace 2004;Sutton-Grier et al 2010;Texeira et al 2012), but with few applications to study soil erosion problems (Chamizo et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of precipitation and restoration vegetation on soil erosion in a semi-arid environment in the Loess Plateau, China

Zhou

Gao

et al. 2016

CATENA

209

104

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a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f oSoil erosion is a critical environmental problem of the Loess Plateau, China. As an important project for soil and water conservation in the semi-arid environment, the Grain-for-Green extensively transformed a wide range of farmland into vegetated land after the 1980s. Yet, the effects of vegetation restoration on soil erosion reduction are not well understood. In this study, we monitored runoff and sediment yield at sites restored with six typical restoration vegetation types including shrubs (Armeniaca sibirica, Spiraea pubescens and Artemisia coparia), grasses (Andropogon), and shrub-grass-compounds (Andropogon and A. coparia) in the Loess Plateau. We employed structural equation modelling (SEM) to systematically analyze the relative effects of precipitation and vegetation on soil erosion. The results showed that the runoff and sediment yield at the grasslands were significantly higher than other cover types. The shrub cover had the strongest soil conservation capacity of all restoration vegetation. SEM results showed varying impacts of precipitation (i.e., total amount and erosive rainfall intensity) on runoff and soil erosion under different vegetation types owing to differences in canopy structure and surface litter layer. Our study quantitatively revealed the interactive effects of precipitation and vegetation on runoff and sediment, which may be beneficial to conserving available water and soil resources in the semiarid environment.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of precipitation and restoration vegetation on soil erosion in a semi-arid environment in the Loess Plateau, China

Zhou

Gao

et al. 2016

CATENA

209

104

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“…La disminución del stock ganadero coincide con la caída anual de la NDVI-I, que entre 2000 y 2014 mantuvo una tasa negativa de 0,66% anual. Esta caída en el NDVI-I posiblemente esté vinculada a disminuciones en la cantidad y calidad forrajera disponible para los animales, lo cual está fuertemente asociado al desempeño reproductivo de los animales (Texeira et al, 2012). En este sentido la disminución de las existencias ganaderas puede ser explicada por un ajuste decidido por los productores o bien debido a que las tasas reproductivas de las majadas y rodeos no son suficientes para mantener el stock en la región, provocando su disminución progresiva .…”

Section: Tendencias De Las Existencias Ganaderasunclassified

Análisis de la evolución del clima y los pastizales naturales en el noroeste de la provincia de Chubut, Argentina, durante el período 2000-2014: identificación de variables asociadas a la disminución de las existencias ganaderas en la región

Martínez

Ciari

Gaitán

et al. 2017

AgriS

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Análisis de la evolución del clima y los pastizales naturales en el noroeste de la provincia de Chubut, Argentina, durante el período 2000-2014: identificación de variables asociadas a la disminución de las existencias ganaderas en la región resumen Una elevada proporción del territorio argentino corresponde a tierras secas y una tercera parte de éstas se hallan en la Patagonia. Esta región históricamente ha sufrido procesos de deterioro del pastizal. Generalmente, la degradación es atribuida al uso ganadero; sin embargo, el efecto del clima sobre estos sistemas ha sido poco analizado. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la evolución del clima y de los pastizales naturales, a través de la identificación de variables que permitan comprender los posibles cambios en las existencias ganaderas para el noroeste de la provincia de Chubut, en el período 2000-2014. Para ello se analizaron diferentes tipos de datos: climáticos, índice verde normalizado (NDVI), lecturas de monitores MARAS y existencias ganaderas. Los resultados indican incrementos de temperatura y tendencias negativas de la productividad y estructura del pastizal. Asimismo se observó una disminución de las existencias ganaderas. El incremento de las temperaturas podría estar relacionado con balances hídricos desfavorables, los cuales, combinados con el sobrepastoreo, pueden ser factores claves en los procesos de deterioro del pastizal. Resulta fundamental continuar con el monitoreo de las diferentes variables que caracterizan a estos sistemas y diseñar estrategias que permitan mitigar los procesos descriptos.

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“…Common effects of climate change on species and ecosystems include (1) changes in life-history events or phenology, (2) effects on demographic rates, such as survival and fecundity, (3) reductions in population size and (4) shifts in species distributions. Climate change poses direct and indirect effects on herbivore species [19] through changes in the fitness, survival and reproductive success [20]. In semiarid ecosystems, climatic changes in frequency and severity of droughts are likely to exacerbate the effects of drought on forage availability, which can feed back to regulate reproduction and offspring recruitment among ungulates [21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of Climate Change and Climate Variability on Wildlife Resources in Southern Africa: Experience from Selected Protected Areas in Zimbabwe

Kupika¹,

Gandiwa²,

Kativu³

et al. 2018

Selected Studies in Biodiversity

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Climate change and variability pose a threat to wildlife resources in semi-arid savannahs. With examples from selected protected areas in Southern Africa, this chapter highlights studies on detected climate changes particularly rainfall and temperature, outlines the predicted and observed impacts of climate change and variability on wildlife resources in savannah ecosystems and highlights the adaptation and mitigation strategies and implications for conservation. Literature indicates that Southern Africa is characterised by highly variable, erratic and unpredictable rainfall and increasing temperature coupled with an increasing trend in climate-related extreme events such as frequent droughts, cyclones and heat waves. Drought, in particular, has led to death in several wildlife species. This has implications on long-term survival of the species. Changes in rainfall and temperature patterns influence habitat quality and consequently abundance of distribution of wildlife species. Large herbivores such as elephants and hippopotamus in particular are vulnerable to climate change due to their ecology, whereas other species are less vulnerable. Climate-related extreme events, coupled with other anthropogenic stressors, interact to influence changes in abundance and distribution of wildlife resources. Understanding the influence of these climatic factors on wildlife resources is vital for adaptive management and protection of biodiversity.

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An exploration of direct and indirect drivers of herbivore reproductive performance in arid and semi arid rangelands by means of structural equation models

Cited by 15 publications

References 47 publications

Effects of precipitation and restoration vegetation on soil erosion in a semi-arid environment in the Loess Plateau, China

Effects of precipitation and restoration vegetation on soil erosion in a semi-arid environment in the Loess Plateau, China

Análisis de la evolución del clima y los pastizales naturales en el noroeste de la provincia de Chubut, Argentina, durante el período 2000-2014: identificación de variables asociadas a la disminución de las existencias ganaderas en la región

Impacts of Climate Change and Climate Variability on Wildlife Resources in Southern Africa: Experience from Selected Protected Areas in Zimbabwe

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