Ball, Lawrence, Tzanopoulos, Joseph (2020) Livestock browsing affects the species composition and structure of cloud forest in the Dhofar Mountains of Oman. Applied Vegetation Science, 23 (3). pp. 363-376. ISSN 1402-2001. (doi:10.1111/avsc.12493) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:80685)
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Official URL https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.12493 |
Abstract
Questions: It is frequently reported that overstocking of camels, cattle and goats is degrading the Anogeissus cloud forest, which is endemic to a 200 km stretch of coastal mountains in southern Arabia. However, livestock impacts on the vegetation have not been assessed. Furthermore, we have a limited understanding of the impacts of large-bodied browsing livestock, such as camels, in woodland and forest rangelands. Therefore, in this study, we examine the effects of livestock browsing on the species composition, density, and hytomorphology of woody vegetation in the Anogeissus cloud forests in the Dhofar Mountains of Oman.
Methods: The point-centered quarter method was used to sample the composition, density and structure of woody vegetation. Constrained correspondence analysis was used to quantify the effects of livestock browsing on woody plant species composition, whilst effects on plant density were analysed using mixed effects models. Standardised major axis regression was used to examine differences in height-diameter allometry (stunting) under different stocking rates.
Conclusions: Browsing by large-bodied livestock, such as camels and cattle, can substantially alter the species composition, structure, and phytomorphology of woody vegetation in semi-arid woodlands and forests. Juveniles are particularly susceptible to browsing which alters woody vegetation demography and inhibits regeneration potential. Our results support previous suggestions of overstocking in Dhofar and highlight the importance of swift measures to reduce livestock browsing pressure in the Anogeissus cloud forests.
Item Type: | Article |
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DOI/Identification number: | 10.1111/avsc.12493 |
Uncontrolled keywords: | livestock browsing, rangelands, cloud forest, overgrazing, camels, woody vegetation, pastoralism, tree allometry, Dhofar Mountains, Oman, ordination, constrained correspondence analysis (CCA) |
Subjects: |
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences Q Science > QH Natural history > QH541 Ecology Q Science > QH Natural history > QH75 Conservation (Biology) |
Divisions: | Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation |
Depositing User: | Joseph Tzanopoulos |
Date Deposited: | 01 Apr 2020 08:57 UTC |
Last Modified: | 16 Feb 2021 14:12 UTC |
Resource URI: | https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/80685 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes) |
Tzanopoulos, Joseph: | ![]() |
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