The authors observed the effects of clipping and fertilizing on the growth of Carex ramenskii, both in the field and in the greenhouse. In the first year, fertilized plots showed higher peak season biomass, off-take biomass, and aboveground net primary productivity (AGNPP). Clipping did not significantly affect peak season biomass, however, off-take biomass and AGNPP were significantly higher in the clipped plots. Similar results from fertilization was seen in the second year, but clipping significantly decreased peak season biomass. Fertilization increased plant N content, but clipping had no overall effect on plant N. Treatments had no effect on soil C and N content. In the greenhouse experiment, salinity decreased plant growth by an average of 40%. High N increased plant mass by an average of 39% and clipping had no overall effect on total plant biomass. The authors field observations and results from the present experiment indicate that increased grazing pressure on patches of C. ramenskii may provide high rates of biomass and N off-take to geese, which in turn may lead to further grazing and the eventual conversion to more preferred C. subspathacea habitat. This apparent pattern of vegetation change has important consequences for goose populations at the landscape scale.
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