Study

Burning and grazing management in a California grassland: effect on bunchgrass seed viability

  • Published source details Dyer A.R. (2002) Burning and grazing management in a California grassland: effect on bunchgrass seed viability. Restoration Ecology, 10, 107-111.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Other biodiversity: Use grazers to manage vegetation

Action Link
Mediterranean Farmland
  1. Other biodiversity: Use grazers to manage vegetation

    A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1988–1999 in central California, USA, found that purple needlegrass Nassella pulchra seeds were less likely to germinate when they came from sheep-grazed plots, compared to ungrazed plots. Plants: Seeds were less likely to germinate if they came from grazed, unburned plots, compared to ungrazed, unburned plots (12% vs 23% germination). In burned plots, there was no difference in germination between grazed and ungrazed plots (26–32%). Seeds of similar sizes were found in grazed or ungrazed plots (0.6–0.8 vs 0.7 mg). Methods: In 1989, needlegrass seeds were collected from approximately 18 plants in each of 12 plots that had been either ungrazed or grazed by sheep in summer, since 1988. Half of the plots were burned in September 1988. In 1999, 5–10 seeds from each of 185 plants were germinated on germination paper.

     

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