Root studies on grass species in a semi-arid South Africa along a degradation gradient

Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment

Volumn 130, Issue 3-4, 2009, Pages 100-108

  Snyman, Hennie A ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE   (South Africa)

Author keywords

Aboveground phytomass; Rangeland condition; Root distribution; Root mass; Water use efficiency

Indexed keywords

DEGRADATION; GRASS; PHYTOMASS; RANGELAND; ROOT SYSTEM; SEMIARID REGION; WATER USE EFFICIENCY;

ANIMALIA;

EID: 60249084542     PISSN: 01678809     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2008.12.003     Document Type: Article

References (115)

1. Alberda T. The effects of cutting, light intensity and night temperature on growth and soluble carbohydrate content of Lolium perenne. Plant Soil 8 (1957) 199-230
2. Baer S.G., Kitchen D.J., Blair J.M., and Rice C.W. Changes in ecosystem structure and function along a chronosequence of restored grasslands. Ecol. Appl. 12 (2002) 1688-1701
3. Barnes D.L., Swart M., Smith M.F., and Wiltshire G.H. Relations between soil factors and herbage yield of natural grassland on sandy soils in the south-eastern Transvaal. J. Grassld. Soc. S. Afr. 8 (1991) 92-98
4. Bredenkamp G., and Van Rooyen N. Dry Sandy Highveld Grassland. In: Low A.B., and Rebelo A.G. (Eds). Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (1996), Department Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Pretoria, South Africa 85
5. Brisson J., and Reynolds J.F. Effects of compensatory growth on population processes: a simulation study. Ecology 78 (1997) 2378-2384
6. Busso C.A., and Bolletta A.I. Perennial grasses of different successional stages under various soil water inputs: do they differ in root length density?. Interciencia 32 (2007) 206-212
7. Busso C.A., Brevedan R.E., Flemmer A.C., and Bolletta A.I. Morphophysiological and demographic responses of perennial grasses to defoliation under water stress. In: Hemantaranjan A. (Ed). Advance Plant Physiology/Plant Molecular Biology (2003), Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur, India 341-395
8. Caldwell M.M., Richards J.H., Johnson D.A., Nowak R.S., and Dzurec R.S. Coping with herbivory: photosynthetic capacity and resource allocation in two semi-arid Agropyron bunchgrasses. Oecologia 50 (1981) 14-24
9. Chapin F.S. The mineral nutrition of wild plants. Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 11 (1980) 233-260
10. 4 semi-arid Australian grassland community. J. Appl. Ecol. 18 (1981) 907-918
11. Dahlman R.C., and Kucera C.L. Root productivity and turnover in native prairie. Ecology 46 (1965) 84-89
12. Danckwerts J.E., and Nel L.O. The effect of frequency of defoliation on Themeda triandra in the false Thornfeld of the Eastern Cape. J. Grassld. Soc. S. Afr. 6 (1989) 32-36
13. Distel R.A., and Fernández O.A. Productivity of Stipa tenuis Phil. and Piptochaetium napostaense (Speg.) Hack in semi-arid Argentina. J. Arid Environ. 11 (1986) 93-96
14. Dormaar J.F., Johnston A., and Smaliak S. Seasonal changes in carbon content and dehydrogenise phosphate and urease activities in mixed prairies and fescue grassland Ah horizons. J. Range Manage. 37 (1984) 31-35
15. Du Preez C.C., and Snyman H.A. Organic matter content of a soil in a semi-arid climate with three long-standing veld conditions. Afr. J. Range For. Sci. 19 (1993) 108-110
16. Du Preez C.C., and Snyman H.A. Soil organic matter changes following rangeland degradation in a semi-arid South Africa. Proceedings of the 7th International Rangeland Congress. Durban, South Africa (2003) 476-478
17. Ekaya W.N., and Kinyamario J.J. Production and decomposition of plant tiller in an arid rangeland of Kenya. Afr. J. Range For. Sci. 18 (2001) 125-129
18. Ekaya W.N., Kinyamario J.I., and Kurue C.N. Abiotic and herbaceous vegetational characteristics of an arid rangeland in Kenya. Afr. J. Range For. Sci. 18 (2001) 117-124
19. Fernández R.J. On the frequent lack of response of plants to rainfall events in arid areas. J. Arid Environ. 68 (2007) 688-691
20. Fisher R.A. The Design of Experiments (1949), Oliver and Boyd Ltd., Edinburg
21. Flemmer A.C., Busso C.A., Fernández O.A., and Montani T. Root growth, appearance and disappearance in perennial grasses: effects of the timing of water stress with or without defoliation. Can. J. Plant Sci. 82 (2002) 539-547
22. Flemmer A.C., Busso C.A., and Fernández O.A. Bud viability in perennial grasses: water stress and defoliation effects. J. Range Manage. 55 (2002) 150-163
23. Flemmer A.C., Busso C.A., Fernández O.A., and Montani T. Effects of defoliation under varying soil water regimes on aboveground biomass of perennial grasses. Arid Soil Res. Manage. 17 (2003) 139-152
24. Foran B.D., Tainton N.M., and Booysen P.d.V. The development of a method for assessing veld condition in three grassveld types in Natal. Proc. Grassld. Soc. S. Afr. 13 (1978) 27-34
25. Forteyn P.J., and Mahall B.E. An experimental analysis of structure in a desert plant community. J. Ecol. 69 (1981) 883-896
26. Fourie J.H., and Du Toit P.F. Weidingstudie in die Vrystaatstreek: Die bepaling van veldtoestand. Glen Agric. 12 (1983) 5-9
27. Fourie J.H., and Visagie A.F.J. Weidingswaarde en ekologiese status van grasse en karoobossies in die Vrystaatstreek. Glen Agric. 14 (1985) 14-18
28. Franco J.A., Martinez-Sanchez J.J., Fernandez J.A., and Banon S. Selection and nursery production of ornamental plants for landscaping and xerogardening in semi-arid environments. J. Hortic. Sci. Biotechnol. 81 (2006) 3-17
29. Ghebrehiwot H.M., Fynn R.W.S., Morris C.D., and Kirkman K.P. Shoot and root biomass allocation and competitive hierarchies of four South African grass species on light, soil resources and cutting gradients. Afr. J. Range For. Sci. 23 (2006) 113-122
30. Guevara J.C., Stasi C.R., Estevez O.R., and Le Houérou H.N. N and P fertilization on rangeland production in Midwest Argentina. J. Range Manage. 53 (2000) 410-414
31. Hadley E.B., and Kieckhefer B.J. Productivity of two prairie grasses in relation to fire frequency. Ecology 44 (1963) 389-395
32. Hall T.J., and Lee G.R. Response of Astrebla spp. grassland to heavy grazing by cattle and light grazing by sheep in north-west Queensland. Aust. Rangeland J. 2 (1980) 83-93
33. Hardy M.B., Hurt C.R., and Bosch O.J.H. Veld condition assessment. In: Tainton N.M. (Ed). Veld Management in South Africa (1999), University of Natal Press, Scottsville, South Africa 472
34. Hartle R.T., Fernández G.C.J., and Nowak R.S. Horizontal and vertical zones of influence for root systems of four Mojave Desert shrubs. J. Arid Environ. 64 (2006) 586-603
35. Hillel D. Soil and Water. Physical Principles and Processes (1971), Academic Press, New York 310 pp
36. Hintze, J.L., 1997. Number Cruncher Statistical System. Kaysville, Utah.
37. Hoffman T.M., and Ashwell A. Natural divided: land degradation in South Africa-an objective categorization. Memoirs Bot. Surv. S. Afr. (2001) 63 pp
38. Holm A.M., Watson I.W., Loneragan W.A., and Adams M.A. Loss of patch-scale heterogeneity on primary productivity and rain-use efficiency in Western Australia. Basic Appl. Ecol. 4 (2003) 569-578
39. Holm A.M., Bennet L.T., Loneragan W.A., and Adams M.A. Relationships between empirical and nominal indices of landscape function in the arid shrubland of Western Australia. J. Arid Environ. 50 (2002) 1-21
40. Holm, A.M., 2000. A study of degradation processes at patch to landscape scale within the arid shrubland of Western Australia. Ph.D.-Thesis. University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia, 192 pp.
41. Huntley, B.J., 1977. Savanna ecosystem project - progress report 1975/1976. South African Natural Science Programme Report No. 12. CSIR, Pretoria, South Africa, 125 pp.
42. Huxman T.E., Smith M.D., Fay P.A., Knapp A.K., Shaw M.R., and Loik M.E. Convergence across biomes to a common rain-use efficiency. Nature 2561 (2004) 1-4
43. Illius A.W., and O'Connor T.G. On the relevance of non-equilibrium concepts to arid and semi-arid grazing systems. Ecol. Appl. 9 (1999) 798-813
44. Ingram, L.J., 2002. Growth, nutrient cycling and grazing of three perennial tussock grasses of the Pilbara region of NW Australia. Ph.D.-Thesis. Dept. Botany, University of Western Australia, Australia, 279 pp.
45. Kelly R.D., and Walker B.H. The effects of different forms of land use on the ecology of a semi-arid region in south-eastern Rhodesia. J. Ecol. 62 (1974) 553-574
46. Knapp A.K., and Smith M.D. Variation among biomass in temporal dynamics of aboveground primary production. Science 291 (2001) 481-484
47. 4 grasslands. Oecologia 148 (2006) 456-464
48. Kumar A., and Joshi M.C. The effects of grazing on the structure and productivity of the vegetation near Pilani, Rajasthan, India. J. Ecol. 60 (1972) 665-674
49. Lane D.R., Coffin D.P., and Lauenroth W.K. Effects of soil texture and precipitation on aboveground net primary productivity and vegetation structure across the Central Grassland region of the United States. J. Veg. Sci. 9 (1998) 239-250
50. Lauenroth W.K., and Sala O.E. Long-term forage production of North American shortgrass steppe. Ecol. Appl. 2 (1992) 397-403
51. Le Houérou H.N. Rain use efficiency: a unifying concept in arid-land ecology. J. Arid Environ. 7 (1984) 213-247
52. Le Houérou H.N., Bingham R.L., and Skerbek W. Relationship between the variability of primary production and the variability of annual precipitation in world arid lands. J. Arid Environ. 15 (1988) 1-18
53. Loik M.E., Breshears D.D., Lauenroth W.K., and Belnap J. A multi-scale perspective of water pulses in dryland ecosystems: climatology and ecohydrology of western USA. Oecologia 141 (2004) 269-281
54. McNaughton S.J., Banjikiva F.F., and McNaughton M.M. Root biomass and productivity in a grazing ecosystem: the Serengeti. Ecology 79 (1998) 587-592
55. Mendenhall W., and Sincich T. Principles of Experimental Design. A Second Course in Statistics. fifth ed. (1996), Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NY pp. 582-595
56. Milchunas D.G., and Lauenroth W.K. Quantitive effects of grazing on vegetation and soils over a global range of environments. Ecol. Monogr. 63 (1993) 327-366
57. Montani T., Busso C.A., Fernández O.A., and Brevedan R.E. Production and nitrogen cycling in an ecosystem of Eragrostis curvula in semi-arid Argentina. 1. Plant biomass and productivity. Acta Oecol. 17 (1996) 151-162
58. Moore, A.C., 1989. Sekere fenologiese en fisiologiese reaksies van Themeda triandra op verskillende ontblaringskedules. M.Sc. Thesis. University for CHE, Potchefstroom, South Africa, 77 pp.
59. Moore A., Van Eck J.A.J., and Van Niekerk J.P. Evapotranspirasie in drie plant-gemeenskappe van 'n Rhygosum trichotornum habitat te Upington. Proc. Grassld. Soc. S. Afr. 5 (1988) 80-84
60. Mostert J.W.C. Studies on the vegetation of parts of the Bloemfontein and Brandfort districts. Memoirs Bot. Surv. S. Afr. 31 (1958) 127-143
61. O'Connor T.G. Composition and population response of an African savanna grassland to rainfall and grazing. J. Appl. Ecol. 31 (1994) 155-171
62. O'Connor T.G. Influence of land use on phytomass accumulation in Highland sourveld grassland in the southern Drakensberg, South Africa. Afr. J. Range For. Sci. 25 (2008) 17-27
63. O'Connor T.G., and Roux P.W. Vegetation changes (1947-1971) in a semi-arid grassy dwarf shrubland in the Karoo, South African: influence of rainfall variability and grazing by sheep. J. Appl. Ecol. 32 (1995) 612-626
64. O'Connor T.G., and Bredenkamp G.J. Grassland. In: Cowling R.M., Richardson D.M., and Pierce S.M. (Eds). Vegetation of Southern Africa (1997), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 615 pp
65. O'Connor T.G., Haines L.M., and Snyman H.A. Influence of precipitation and species composition on phytomass of a semi-arid African grassland. J. Ecol. 89 (2001) 850-860
66. Oesterheld M., Loreti J., Semmertin M., and Sala O.E. Inter-annual variation in primary production of a semi-arid grassland related to previous-year production. J. Veg. Sci. 12 (2001) 137-142
67. Palacio S., and Montserrat-Marti G. Above and belowground phonology of four Mediterranean sub-shrubs. Preliminary results on root-shoot competition. J. Arid Environ. 68 (2007) 522-533
68. Pickup G. A simple model for predicting herbage production from rainfall in rangelands and its calibration using remotely-sensed data. J. Arid Environ. 30 (1995) 227-245
69. Potts G. The plant succession in the Orange Free State and the need for monitoring a covering of vegetation. S. Afr. J. Sci. 20 (1923) 196-201
70. Richards J.H. Root growth response to defoliation into Agropyron bunchgrasses: field observations with an improved root periscope. Oecologia 64 (1984) 21-25
71. Rodriguez M.V., Bertiller M.B., and Bisigato A. Are fine roots of both shrubs and perennial grasses able to occupy the upper soil layers? A case study in the arid Patagonian Monte with non-seasonal precipitation. Plant Soil 300 (2007) 281-288
72. Rodriguez M.V., Bertiller M.B., and Sain C.L. Spatial patterns and chemical characteristics of root biomass in ecosystems of the Patagonian Monte disturbed by grazing. J. Arid Environ. 70 (2007) 137-151
73. Ross M.A. Concurrent changes in plant weight and soil water regimes in herbaceous communities in central Australia. Aust. J. Ecol. 2 (1977) 257-268
74. Sala O.A., Parton W.J., Joyce L.A., and Lauenroth W.K. Primary production of the central grassland region of the United States. Ecology 69 (1988) 40-45
75. Schenk H.J., and Jackson R.B. Rooting depths lateral root spreads and below-ground/aboveground allometries of plants in water-limited ecosystems. J. Ecol. 90 (2002) 480-494
76. Schulze, E.R., 1979. Climate of South Africa. Part 8. General Survey. Weather Bureau, Pretoria, South Africa, 158 pp.
77. Shackleton C.M., McKenzie B., and Granger J.E. Seasonal changes in root biomass, root/shoot ratios and turnover in two coastal grassland communities in Transkei. S. Afr. J. Bot. 54 (1988) 465-471
78. Shackleton C.M., McKenzie B., and Granger J.E. Breakdown and decomposition in three coastal grassland communities in Transkei. S. Afr. J. Bot. 55 (1989) 551-559
79. Sims P.L., and Singh J.S. Herbage dynamics and net primary production in certain ungrazed and grazed grasslands in North America. In: French N.R. (Ed). Preliminary Analysis of Structure and Function of Grasslands (1971), Department of Science, Colorado State University 314 pp
80. Singh J.S., and Yadava P.S. Seasonal variation in composition, plant biomass and net primary production of a tropical grassland of Kurukshetra. India Ecol. Monogr. 44 (1974) 351-376
81. Smith, V.R., 1985. Seasonal dynamics of standing crop and chemical composition in Marion Island (sub-antarctic) vegetation. Ph.D. Thesis. University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, 111 pp.
82. Snyder K.A., and Tartowski S.L. Multi-scale temporal variation in water availability: implications for vegetation dynamics in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. J. Arid Environ. 65 (2006) 219-234
83. Snyman H.A. Measuring water-use efficiency from rangeland in the central grassland from evapotranspiration. Water S. Afr. 14 (1988) 153-158
84. Snyman H.A. The influence of range condition on the hydrological characteristics in a semi-arid rangeland, vol. 1. Proceedings of the 7th International Grassland Congress, vol. 23. Winnipeg, Canada (1997) 1-2
85. Snyman H.A. Dynamics and sustainable utilization of the rangeland ecosystem in arid and semi-arid climates of southern Africa. J. Arid Environ. 39 (1998) 645-666
86. Snyman H.A. Quantification of the soil-water balance under different veld condition classes in a semi-arid climate. Afr. J. Range For. Sci. 16 (1999) 108-117
87. Snyman H.A. Short-term effects of soil water, defoliation and rangeland condition on productivity of a semi-arid rangeland in South Africa. J. Arid Environ. 43 (1999) 47-62
88. Snyman H.A. Soil-water utilisation and sustainability in a semi-arid grassland. Water S. Afr. 26 (2000) 331-341
89. Snyman H.A. Short-term response of rangeland following an unplanned fire in terms of soil characteristics in a semi-arid climate of South Africa. J. Arid Environ. 55 (2003) 160-180
90. Snyman H.A. Soil seed bank evaluation and seedling establishment along a degradation gradient in a semi-arid rangeland. Afr. J. Range For. Sci. 21 (2004) 37-47
91. Snyman H.A. Short-term response in productivity following an unplanned fire in a semi-arid rangeland of South Africa. J. Arid Environ. 56 (2004) 465-485
92. Snyman H.A. Influence of fire on root distribution, seasonal root production and root/shoot ratios in grass species in a semi-arid grassland of South Africa. S. Afr. J. Bot. 71 (2005) 133-144
93. Snyman H.A. Influence of fir on litter production and root and litter turnover in a semi-arid grassland of South Africa. S. Afr. J. Bot. 71 (2005) 145-153
94. Snyman H.A., and Fouché H.J. Production and water-use efficiency of semi-arid grasslands of South Africa as affected by veld condition and rainfall. Water S. Afr. 17 (1991) 263-268
95. Snyman H.A., and Fouché H.J. Estimating seasonal herbage production of a semi-arid grassland based on veld condition, rainfall and evapotranspiration. Afr. J. Range For. Sci. 10 (1993) 21-24
96. Snyman H.A., Venter W.D., Van Rensburg W.L.J., and Opperman D.P.J. Ranking of grass species according to visible wilting order and rate of recovery in the Central Orange Free State. J. Grassld. Soc. S. Afr. 4 (1987) 78-81
97. Snyman H.A., Venter W.D., and Van Rensburg W.L.J. Transpiration and water-use efficiency in response to water stress in Themeda triandra and Eragrostis lehmanniana. S. Afr. J. Bot. 63 (1997) 55-59
98. Soil Classification Working Group, 1991. Soil Classification: A Taxonomic System for South Africa. Dept. Agric. Development, Pretoria, South Africa, 262 pp.
99. Strugnell R.G., and Piggott C.D. Biomass shoot production and grazing of two grasslands in the Rwenzori National Park, Uganda. J. Ecol. 66 (1978) 73-96
100. Swemmer A.M., Knapp A.K., and Snyman H.A. Intra-seasonal precipitation patterns and aboveground productivity in three perennial grasslands. J. Ecol. 95 (2007) 780-788
101. Tainton N.M. The ecology of the main grazing lands of South Africa. In: Tainton N.M. (Ed). Veld and Pasture Management in South Africa (1981), Shuter & Shooter: University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa 481
102. Van den Berg J.A., Roberts B.R., and Vorster L.F. The effect of seasonal grazing on the cover and composition of Cymbopogon-Themeda veld. Proc. Grassld. Soc. S. Afr. 10 (1975) 111-117
103. Van der Westhuizen H.C., Van Rensburg W.L.J., and Snyman H.A. The quantification of rangeland condition in a semi-arid grassland of South Africa. Afr. J. Range For. Sci. 16 (1999) 49-61
104. Venter W.D., Snyman H.A., and Van Rensburg W.L.J. Photosynthetic response to water stress in Themeda triandra and Eragrostis lehmanniana. S. Afr. J. Bot. 63 (1997) 37-41
105. Walker B.H. An evaluation of eight methods of botanical analyses on grasslands in Rhodesia. J. Appl. Ecol. 7 (1970) 403-416
106. Weinmann H. Seasonal changes in the roots of some South African highveld grasses. S. Afr. J. Bot. 6 (1940) 131-145
107. Weinmann H. Effects of defoliation intensity and fertilizer treatment on Transvaal highveld. Empirical J. Exp. Agric. 11 (1943) 113-124
108. Weinmann H. Underground development and reserves of grasses: a review. J. Br. Grassld. Soc. 3 (1948) 115-140
109. Weinmann H., and Reinhold L. Reserve carbohydrates in South African grasses. S. Afr. J. Bot. 12 (1946) 57-73
110. Whitford W.G., Stinnett J., and Anderson J. De-composition of roots in a Chihuahuan Desert Ecosystem. Oecologia 75 (1988) 8-11
111. Wiegand T., Snyman H.A., Kellner K., and Paruelo J.M. Do grasslands have a memory: modeling phytomass production of a semi-arid South African grassland. Ecosystems 7 (2004) 243-258
112. Wilcox B.P., and Thurow T.L. Emerging issues in rangeland ecohydrology: vegetation change and the water cycle. Rangeland Ecol. Manage. 59 (2006) 220-224
113. Willms W.D., McGinn S.M., and Dormaar J.F. Influence of litter on herbage production in the mixed prairie. J. Range Manage. 46 (1993) 320-324
114. Winer B.J. Statistical Principles in Experimental Design (1974), McGraw-Hill, London 218 pp
115. Wolfson M.M., and Tainton N.M. The morphology and physiology of the major forage plants, p. 472. In: Tainton N.M. (Ed). Veld Management in South Africa (1999), University of Natal Press, Scottsville: South Africa 54-90