CHARACTERISTICS OF PATCHES OF SHORT GRASSES AND HERBS IN THE FALKLAND ISLANDS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT FOR SHEEP GRAZING
Patches of short grasses and herbs (Greens) are important grazing resources for sheep in the Falkland Islands. Little was known of their origins or diversity making it difficult to select management options for sustainable grazing. The floristic, physiographic, biotic and edaphic attributes of 131 G...
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| Autores principales: | , |
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| Lenguaje: | English |
| Publicado: |
Universidad de Magallanes
2008
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0718-686X2008000100001 |
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| Sumario: | Patches of short grasses and herbs (Greens) are important grazing resources for sheep in the Falkland Islands. Little was known of their origins or diversity making it difficult to select management options for sustainable grazing. The floristic, physiographic, biotic and edaphic attributes of 131 Greens were surveyed. They occurred widely, were mainly <5 ha, had variable shapes and physiography and were used frequently by livestock. The most dominant plant species were Agrostis spp, Juncus scheuchzerioides, Gunnera magellanica and Poa pratensis. Greens were classified into eight communities that differed floristically, physiographically, edaphi-cally and in herbage quality. For management purposes two main types were identified. The first type, dominated by Agrostis spp. and G. mageííanica, occurred on relatively wet and infertile soil and was mainly associated with inland valleys and small paddocks. The second type, dominated by Poa spp., occurred on relatively dry and fertile soil and was mainly associated with coastal sites, ponds and penguin rookeries. Ordination of sites showed that Greens were floristically similar as no wholly distinct groups were found on any axes combination. Differences were principally in species frequency rather than in diversity. The first ordination axis was positively related to soil Mg and P and dung cover and negatively related to soil moisture. The second axis was positively related to soil Ca and negatively related to K and dung cover. These corresponded generally with the soil features of the classification groups. Variation between Greens was due mainly to the type and degree of disturbance caused by combinations of livestock, penguins and sheldgeese. As Greens were more similar than dissimilar and inter-Green variation was more continuous than discrete, it is expected that management strategies for sustainable grazing would also be similar. Special management may be needed only for overgrazed Greens. |
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