Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #183378
Title: MICRO-PATCH AND COMMUNITY SCALE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF HERBACEOUS COVER IN A GRAZED EUCALYPT WOODLAND

Author
item Northup, Brian
item DIAS, C - JAMES COOK UNIV
item BROWN, JOEL - USDA - NRCS
item SKELLY, C - JAMES COOK UNIV

Submitted to: Journal of Arid Environments
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/24/2004
Publication Date: 2/1/2005
Citation: Northup, B.K., Dias, C.D., Brown, J.R., Skelly, W.C. 2005. Micro-patch and community scale spatial distribution of herbaceous cover in a grazed eucalypt woodland. Journal of Arid Environments. 60(3):509-530.

Interpretive Summary: No interpretive summary required.

Technical Abstract: This study described changes in spatial distribution of herbaceous cover in experimental paddocks in a eucalypt woodland of northern Australia after 5 years of different grazing pressures and drought. Herbaceous cover was irregularly distributed, with high cover zones in distinct bands across slopes on paddocks in stable and degrading condition, and irregular patches in a degraded paddock. Size and density of these zones declined with paddock condition, as native perennial tussock grasses were lost and replaced by an exotic stoloniferous grass. Describing disturbance responses of herbaceous cover in this community requires sampling at multiple spatial scales.