Constance of France

Bom, Myra Miranda

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-10429-9

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Climate is semi-arid with high rainfall variability between years. Average annual rainfall is 414 mm on the Patho Plains, but has varied between 163 and 871 mm over the last 100 years (BOM, 2022). Average annual rainfall of the Lower Avoca Plains is 359 mm, varying between 150 and 667 mm over the last 100 years.…”

Section: Study Regionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can switches in disturbance type improve habitat for grassland birds in semi‐arid grasslands of South‐Eastern Australia?

Nugent,

Baker‐Gabb,

Morgan

2023

Austral Ecology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Grasslands are one of the most endangered and degraded ecosystems globally. Switches in disturbance type can restore grassland function and improve conservation outcomes for fauna, but land‐use legacies can limit the capacity of biota to respond positively to shifts in disturbance type, making it difficult to predict ecological outcomes. In semi‐arid grasslands of South‐Eastern Australia, habitat for grassland birds is managed using livestock grazing, a practice that has continued for >150 years. It is unknown if outcomes for birds can be improved by a switch in disturbance type as alternatives to livestock grazing have not been explored. We compare the effects of status‐quo livestock grazing with alternative biomass management tools (no management, ‘crash’ grazing, planned fire) on birds, vegetation structure, and food resources using a BACI design across 3 years (2017–2019). We found crash grazing and fire produced more open, shorter grassy swards, with less exotic grass cover, compared to status‐quo grazing or disturbance exclusion. Preferred habitat structure for the critically endangered plains‐wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus) was maximized by status‐quo grazing. Grassland birds responded in opposing ways to a disturbance switch. Brown songlarks (Megalurus cruralis) and Horsfield's bushlarks (Mirafra javanica) responded positively to disturbance exclusion, while stubble quail (Coturnix pectoralis) responded negatively to crash grazing. Australasian pipits (Anthus novaeseelandiae) were more frequent in response to status‐quo grazing. Our findings suggest that multiple disturbance types should be used if the aim is to promote the spectrum of vegetation structures and food sources required to support a diverse grassland bird community in semi‐arid grasslands of Australia.

show abstract

Section: Study Regionmentioning

confidence: 99%