Influence of grazing on sand field vegetation in the Negev Desert

The effects on vegetation structure and composition from differing grazing intensities by flocks of Beduin sheep and goats were studied in the sandy regions of the Northern Negev Desert. Vascular plant community composition, as measured by detrended correspondence analysis, was significantly changed...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of arid environments 1993, Vol.24 (1), p.81-93
Main Authors: Olsvig-Whittaker, L.S., Hosten, P.E., Marcus, I., Shochat, E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Biological and medical sciences
botanical composition
community ecology
deserts
dune grasslands
duneland
dunes
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
goats
grazing
grazing intensity
plant ecology
sheep
soil texture
species diversity
Synecology
Terrestrial ecosystems
xerophytes
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Summary:The effects on vegetation structure and composition from differing grazing intensities by flocks of Beduin sheep and goats were studied in the sandy regions of the Northern Negev Desert. Vascular plant community composition, as measured by detrended correspondence analysis, was significantly changed by grazing, as well as by differences in soil texture. Annual plant species richness and grass species richness increased with grazing pressure, but not with changes in soil texture. Total vascular plant species richness seemed highest at intermediate levels of grazing intensity, but showed no significant trends of change with either grazing intensity or soil texture. Species equitability showed no significant trends.
ISSN:0140-1963
1095-922X
DOI:10.1006/jare.1993.1007