Rangeland Ecology & Management

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The Effect Of Grazing On Local Populations Of Erodiophtllumelderi
Author
Emmerson, L.M.
Facelli, J.M.
Chesson, P.L.
Publisher
The Australian Rangeland Society
Publication Year
1996
Body

The Koonamore daisy (Erodiophyllum elderi) is a short-lived herbaceous perennial restricted to locally low-lying regions in parts of semi-arid South Australia. Due to the topography of the region this species has a naturally sub-divided population. We have been investigating the effect of different grazing regimes on various aspects of daisy population dynamics. Monitoring of patches for the last 2.5 years indicates that the populations have been significantly affected by the presence of sheep. Populations in heavily grazed areas have different dispersal patterns, different population size structure and greater temporal fluctuations. Long-term photographic records indicate that daisy plants are frequently absent from these patches (approximately 63% of the time), although the seedbank is still present in the form of seedheads. The seedheads gradually release seeds through time, enabling the population to persist through unfavourable conditions such as droughts. Browsing of flowers by sheep reduces seedhead production and leads to a significantly lower seedbank in heavily grazed areas.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Paper
Additional Information

September 24-27, 1996

Port Augusta, South Australia

ISSN 1323-6660
Conference Name
The Australian Rangeland Society 9th Biennial Conference
Keywords
dynamics
population
sheep
Seed banks (genetics)
South Australia