Study

Impact of grazing on the species richness of plant communities in Mediterranean temporary pools (western Morocco)

  • Published source details Bouahim S., Rhazi L., Amami B., Sahib N., Rhazi M., Waterkeyn A., Zouahri A., Mesléard F., Muller S.D. & Grillas P. (2010) Impact of grazing on the species richness of plant communities in Mediterranean temporary pools (western Morocco). Comptes Rendus Biologies, 333, 670-679.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Exclude or remove livestock from historically grazed freshwater marshes

Action Link
Marsh and Swamp Conservation

Exclude or remove livestock from historically grazed freshwater marshes

Action Link
Marsh and Swamp Conservation
  1. Exclude or remove livestock from historically grazed freshwater marshes

    A replicated, site comparison study in 2009 of 16 ephemeral pools in Morocco (Bouahim et al. 2010) found that pools within areas fenced to exclude livestock for >30 years contained a different overall plant community to pools within grazed areas, with greater abundance of wetland-characteristic species – but that there was no significant difference in plant species richness. The overall plant community composition differed between exclusion and grazed pools (data reported as a graphical analysis; statistical significance of difference not assessed). Exclusion pools supported a higher total abundance of wetland-characteristic plant species than grazed pools (data not reported). However, exclusion and grazed pools contained a statistically similar number of wetland-characteristic plant species – and plant species overall (data not reported). Methods: In February and May 2009, vegetation was surveyed in 16 ephemeral pools (600–13,000 m2; water depth ≤85 cm) within a cork oak forest. Eight pools were in hunting reserves, from which livestock had been excluded since 1975. The other eight pools were open to cattle and sheep grazing. Cover/abundance of all plant species was recorded in two quadrats/pool/sample: one at the centre and one at the edge. Some of the pools from this study were also used in (6).

    (Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)

  2. Exclude or remove livestock from historically grazed freshwater marshes

    A replicated, site comparison study in 2008–2009 of six ephemeral pools in Morocco (Bouahim et al. 2010) found that pools within areas fenced to exclude livestock for >30 years contained more vegetation biomass than pools within grazed areas, and more plant species in one of two years. Peak biomass was measured in 2008 only. Exclusion pools contained more above-ground biomass (123 g/m2) than grazed pools (42 g/m2). Plant species richness was measured in both 2008 and 2009. Exclusion pools contained a statistically similar number of plant species to ungrazed pools in 2008 (a dry year), but more plant species than ungrazed pools in 2009 (a wet year) (data not reported). Methods: Vegetation was surveyed in six ephemeral pools within a cork oak forest. Three pools were in hunting reserves, from which livestock had been excluded since 1975. The other three pools were open to cattle and sheep grazing. In February 2008, vegetation was cut from nine 1-m2 quadrats/pool, then dried and weighed. Between January and June 2008 and 2009, plant species were recorded in fifteen 900-cm2 quadrats/pool. All quadrats were evenly spread across different elevations. This study used a subset of the pools from (5).

    (Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)

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