Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Above-ground phytomass dynamics in a grassland steppe of Patagonia, Argentina
Author
Defossé, G. E.
Bertiller, M. B.
Ares, J. O.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
1990-03-01
Body

Aerial phytomass and litter dynamics of a grassland steppe in Patagonia, Argentina, were studied at either monthly or bimonthly intervals for 2 years. This area is characterized by a cold and wet winter (June to September) and a warm and dry summer (December to March). The growing season extends from September to April, with moist spring and fall periods interrupted by a midsummer drought. Festuca pallescens (St. Yves) Parodi produced about 95% of the total annual phytomass. Peaks of green phytomass were recorded in spring-summer of the first growing season (33.6 +/- 2.9 g m-2) and in early spring (35.0 +/- 2.4 g m-2) and fall (32.7 +/- 2.7 g m-2) of the second growing season. Less abundant forage grasses were Poa ligularis Nees ap Steudel, Bromus setifolius Presl., Hordeum comosum Presl., and Rytidosperma virescens (Desvaux) Nicors. Shrubs and forbs represented less than 2% of the total annual phytomass of this grassland. The relationships between phytomass production of the main species and some environmental variables are discussed. These results contribute to the knowledge of above-ground phytomass dynamics and forage availability throughout seasons of this grassland in Patagonia, and are part of the data necessary for proper range management planning. This information will permit the designing of appropriate grazing schedules by balancing the number of grazing animals to the forage resources available. This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020

Language
en
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.2307/3899036
Additional Information
Defossé, G. E., Bertiller, M. B., & Ares, J. O. (1990). Above-ground phytomass dynamics in a grassland steppe of Patagonia, Argentina. Journal of Range Management, 43(2), 157-160.
IISN
0022-409X
OAI Identifier
oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/644818
Journal Volume
43
Journal Number
2
Journal Pages
157-160
Journal Name
Journal of Range Management
Keywords
Poa
Bromus
Poa ligularis
festuca pallescens
rytidosperma virescens
bromus setifolius
hordeum comosum
Hordeum
Festuca
steppes
population dynamics
pastures
Poaceae
biomass production
range management
Argentina
botanical composition