Effect of summer livestock grazing on plant species richness and composition in the Himalayan rangelands
Suman Aryal A B C , Geoff Cockfield A B and Tek Narayan Maraseni A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Institute for Agriculture and the Environment (IAgE) and International Centre for Applied Climate Sciences (ICACS), University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Qld 4350, Australia.
B Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Qld 4350, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: Suman.Aryal@usq.edu.au, aaryalsuman@gmail.com
The Rangeland Journal 37(3) 309-321 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ14088
Submitted: 10 March 2014 Accepted: 10 April 2015 Published: 6 May 2015
Abstract
Grazing systems in the high Himalayas are changing in response to socioeconomic factors and policy decisions. As well as effects on livelihood of herders, such changes may have significant impacts on plant species richness and composition. The objectives of this study were to explore how plant species richness and composition respond to livestock grazing in the high Himalayan rangelands. The study was conducted in three mountainous Protected Areas of Nepal viz. Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) National Park, Gaurishankar Conservation Area and Khaptad National Park. Species and environmental data were collected along perpendicular transects outwards from goths (semi-permanent stopping and camping points). It was found that the distance from goths generally represents a grazing disturbance gradient. The core areas near goths had low species richness per plot (α-diversity) where nitrophilous and grazing-tolerant species were commonly found. However, the highest species richness, total numbers of species and occurrences of rare species at mid- and farther distances from goths within 800 m suggest that negative effects of summer livestock grazing were small and confined to limited areas near goths. Altitude, soil moisture content, percentage shrub cover and distance from goths were the variables significantly correlated with species composition, although the relative importance of these factors varied across study sites. This research can be used to inform decision-making about seasonal livestock grazing in the Himalayan rangelands, which should incorporate both ecological as well as socioeconomic considerations.
Additional keywords: grazing gradient, Nepal, species composition, species richness, summer grazing.
References
Adler, P. A., Raff, D. R., and Lauenroth, W. L. (2001). The effect of grazing on the spatial heterogeneity of vegetation. Oecologia 128, 465–479.| The effect of grazing on the spatial heterogeneity of vegetation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Aryal, S., Maraseni, T. N., and Cockfield, G. (2014a). Sustainability of transhumance grazing systems under socio-economic threats in Langtang Nepal. Journal of Mountain Science 11, 1023–1034.
| Sustainability of transhumance grazing systems under socio-economic threats in Langtang Nepal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Aryal, S., Cockfield, G., and Maraseni, T. N. (2014b). Vulnerability of Himalayan transhumant communities to climate change. Climatic Change 125, 193–208.
| Vulnerability of Himalayan transhumant communities to climate change.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Augustine, D. J., and McNaughton, S. J. (1998). Ungulate effects on the functional species composition of plant communities: herbivore selectivity and plant tolerance. The Journal of Wildlife Management 62, 1165–1183.
| Ungulate effects on the functional species composition of plant communities: herbivore selectivity and plant tolerance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bailey, D. W., Gross, J. E., Laca, E. A., Rittenhouse, L. R., Coughenour, M. B., Swift, D. M., and Sims, P. L. (1996). Mechanisms that result in large herbivore grazing distribution patterns. Journal of Range Management 49, 386–400.
| Mechanisms that result in large herbivore grazing distribution patterns.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Banjade, M. R., and Paudel, N. S. (2008). Mobile pastoralism in crisis: challenges, conflicts and status of pasture tenure in Nepal mountains. Journal of Forest and Livelihood 7, 36–48.
Bauer, K. M. (2004). ‘High Frontiers: Dolpo and the Changing World of Himalayan Pastoralists.’ (Columbia University Press: New York.)
Baur, B., Cremene, C., Groza, G., Rakosy, L., Schileyko, A. A., Baur, A., Stoll, P., and Erhardt, A. (2006). Effects of abandonment of sub-alpine hay meadows on plant and invertebrate diversity in Transylvania, Romania. Biological Conservation 132, 261–273.
| Effects of abandonment of sub-alpine hay meadows on plant and invertebrate diversity in Transylvania, Romania.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Beatty, S. W. (1984). Influence of microtopography and canopy species on spatial patterns of forest understory plants. Ecology 65, 1406–1419.
| Influence of microtopography and canopy species on spatial patterns of forest understory plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bhasin, V. (2011). Pastoralists of Himalayas. Journal of Human Ecology 33, 147–177.
Bhatta, K. P. (2006). ‘Floristic Study of the Grassland and Cultivated Land in Upper Manang.’ (Tribhuvan University: Kathmandu, Nepal.)
Bhatta, K. P., and Chaudhary, R. P. (2009). Species diversity and distribution pattern of grassland and cultivated land species in upper Manang, Nepal Trans-Himalayas. Scientific World 7, 76–79.
Blank, L., and Carmel, Y. (2012). Woody vegetation patch types affect herbaceous species richness and composition in a Mediterranean ecosystem. Community Ecology 13, 72–81.
| Woody vegetation patch types affect herbaceous species richness and composition in a Mediterranean ecosystem.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bokdam, J., and Gleichman, J. M. (2000). Effects of grazing by free ranging cattle on vegetation dynamics in a continental north-west European heathland. Journal of Applied Ecology 37, 415–431.
| Effects of grazing by free ranging cattle on vegetation dynamics in a continental north-west European heathland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brooks, M., Matchett, J., and Berry, K. (2006). Effects of livestock watering sites on alien and native plants in the Mojave Desert, USA. Journal of Arid Environments 67, 125–147.
| Effects of livestock watering sites on alien and native plants in the Mojave Desert, USA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Callaway, R. M., Kikodze, D., Chiboshvili, M., and Khetsuriani, L. (2005). Unpalatable plants protect neighbors from grazing and increase plant community diversity. Ecology 86, 1856–1862.
| Unpalatable plants protect neighbors from grazing and increase plant community diversity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chaudhary, R. P., Aase, T., and Vetaas, O. (2007). Globalisation and people’s livelihood: assessment and prediction for Manang, trans-Himalayas, Nepal. In: ‘Local Effects of Global Changes in the Himalayas: Manang, Nepal’. (Ed. R. P. Chaudhary.) pp. 1–22. (Tribhuvan University: Kathmandu, Nepal and University of Bergen: Bergen, Norway.)
Cumming, D. H. M., and Cumming, G. S. (2003). Ungulate community structure and ecological processes: body size, hoof area and trampling in African savannas. Oecologia 134, 560–568.
| Ungulate community structure and ecological processes: body size, hoof area and trampling in African savannas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Deckers, B., Hermy, M., and Muys, B. (2004). Factors affecting plant species composition of hedgerows: relative importance and hierarchy. Acta Oecologica 26, 23–37.
| Factors affecting plant species composition of hedgerows: relative importance and hierarchy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
DNPWC (2013). Khaptad National Park: Annual Progress Report 2068/069. Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), Government of Nepal, Kathmandu.
Dong, S., Lassoie, J. P., Shrestha, K. K., Yan, Z., Sharma, E., and Pariyar, D. (2009). Institutional development for sustainable rangeland resource and ecosystem management in mountainous areas of northern Nepal. Journal of Environmental Management 90, 994–1003.
| Institutional development for sustainable rangeland resource and ecosystem management in mountainous areas of northern Nepal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18433982PubMed |
eFloras (2015). Missouri Botanical Garden, St Louis, MO and Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. Available at: www.efloras.org (accessed 25 January 2015).
FAO (2001). ‘Pastoralism in New Millennium.’ FAO animal production and health paper 150. (Food and Agriculture Association: Rome, Italy.)
Fensham, R. J., Holman, J. E., and Cox, M. J. (1999). Plant species responses along a grazing disturbance gradient in an Australian grassland. Journal of Vegetation Science 10, 77–86.
| Plant species responses along a grazing disturbance gradient in an Australian grassland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Good, M. K., Schultz, N. L., Tighe, M., Reid, N., and Briggs, S. V. (2013). Herbaceous vegetation response to grazing exclusion in patches and inter-patches in semi-arid pasture and woody encroachment. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 179, 125–132.
| Herbaceous vegetation response to grazing exclusion in patches and inter-patches in semi-arid pasture and woody encroachment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Grytnes, J. A., and Vetaas, O. R. (2002). Species richness and altitude: a comparison between null models and interpolated plant species richness along the Himalayan altitudinal gradient, Nepal. American Naturalist 159, 294–304.
| Species richness and altitude: a comparison between null models and interpolated plant species richness along the Himalayan altitudinal gradient, Nepal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18707381PubMed |
Haynes, M. A., Fang, Z., and Waller, D. M. (2013). Grazing impacts on the diversity and composition of alpine rangelands in North-west Yunnan. Journal of Plant Ecology 6, 122–130.
| Grazing impacts on the diversity and composition of alpine rangelands in North-west Yunnan.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hendricks, H. H., Bond, W. J., Midgley, J. J., and Novellie, P. A. (2005). Plant species richness and composition along livestock grazing intensity gradients in a Namaqualand (South Africa) protected area. Plant Ecology 176, 19–33.
| Plant species richness and composition along livestock grazing intensity gradients in a Namaqualand (South Africa) protected area.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hevia, V., Azcárate, F. M., Oteros-Rozas, E., and González, J. A. (2013). Exploring the role of transhumance drove roads on the conservation of ant diversity in Mediterranean agroecosystems. Biodiversity and Conservation 22, 2567–2581.
| Exploring the role of transhumance drove roads on the conservation of ant diversity in Mediterranean agroecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hill, M. O., and Gauch, H. (1980). Detrended correspondence analysis: an improved ordination technique. Plant Ecology 42, 47–58.
| Detrended correspondence analysis: an improved ordination technique.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Humphrey, J., and Patterson, G. (2000). Effects of late summer cattle grazing on the diversity of riparian pasture vegetation in an upland conifer forest. Journal of Applied Ecology 37, 986–996.
| Effects of late summer cattle grazing on the diversity of riparian pasture vegetation in an upland conifer forest.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
IBM SPSS for Windows (2012). ‘Version 21.0.’ (IBM Corp.: Armonk, NY.)
IUCN (2014). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org (accessed 25 January 2015).
Kahmen, A., Perner, J., Audorff, V., Weisser, W., and Buchmann, N. (2005). Effects of plant diversity, community composition and environmental parameters on productivity in montane European grasslands. Oecologia 142, 606–615.
| Effects of plant diversity, community composition and environmental parameters on productivity in montane European grasslands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15538634PubMed |
Kala, C. P., and Shrivastava, R. J. (2004). Successional changes in Himalayan alpine vegetation: two decades after removal of livestock grazing. Weed Technology 18, 1210–1212.
| Successional changes in Himalayan alpine vegetation: two decades after removal of livestock grazing.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Landsberg, J., James, C., Morton, S., Müller, W., and Stol, J. (2003). Abundance and composition of plant species along grazing gradients in Australian rangelands. Journal of Applied Ecology 40, 1008–1024.
| Abundance and composition of plant species along grazing gradients in Australian rangelands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Limbu, D. K., Koirala, M., and Shang, Z. (2012). A survey of Himalayan rangeland weeds in Tinjure-Milke-Jaljale area, eastern Nepal. Nepalese Journal of Biosciences 2, 24–30.
Lomolino, M. (2001). Elevation gradients of species density: historical and prospective views. Global Ecology and Biogeography 10, 3–13.
| Elevation gradients of species density: historical and prospective views.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McIntyre, S., Heard, K., and Martin, T. G. (2003). The relative importance of cattle grazing in sub-tropical grasslands: does it reduce or enhance plant biodiversity? Journal of Applied Ecology 40, 445–457.
| The relative importance of cattle grazing in sub-tropical grasslands: does it reduce or enhance plant biodiversity?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McVeigh, C. (2004). Himalayan herding is alive and well: the economics of pastoralism in the Langtang valley. Nomadic Peoples 8, 107–124.
| Himalayan herding is alive and well: the economics of pastoralism in the Langtang valley.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Metzger, K., Coughenour, M., Reich, R., and Boone, R. (2005). Effects of seasonal grazing on plant species diversity and vegetation structure in a semi-arid ecosystem. Journal of Arid Environments 61, 147–160.
| Effects of seasonal grazing on plant species diversity and vegetation structure in a semi-arid ecosystem.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mishra, C., Van Wieren, S. E., Ketner, P., Heitkönig, I., and Prins, H. H. (2004). Competition between domestic livestock and wild bharal Pseudois nayaur in the Indian Trans-Himalaya. Journal of Applied Ecology 41, 344–354.
| Competition between domestic livestock and wild bharal Pseudois nayaur in the Indian Trans-Himalaya.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Moktan, M. R., Norbu, L., Nirola, H., Dukpa, K., Rai, T. B., and Dorji, R. (2008). Ecological and social aspects of transhumant herding in Bhutan. Mountain Research and Development 28, 41–48.
| Ecological and social aspects of transhumant herding in Bhutan.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nangula, S., and Oba, G. (2004). Effects of artificial water points on the Oshana ecosystem in Namibia. Environmental Conservation 31, 47–54.
| Effects of artificial water points on the Oshana ecosystem in Namibia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
NAPA (2010). ‘National Adaptation Programme of Action to Climate Change (NAPA).’ (Ministry of Environment, Government of Nepal: Kathmandu.)
Nautiyal, S., and Kaechele, H. (2007). Adverse impacts of pasture abandonment in Himalayan protected areas: testing the efficiency of a Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP). Environmental Impact Assessment Review 27, 109–125.
| Adverse impacts of pasture abandonment in Himalayan protected areas: testing the efficiency of a Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nyssen, J., Descheemaeker, K., Zenebe, A., Poesen, J., Deckers, J., and Haile, M. (2009). Transhumance in the Tigray highlands (Ethiopia). Mountain Research and Development 29, 255–264.
| Transhumance in the Tigray highlands (Ethiopia).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Oesterheld, M., and Semmartin, M. (2011). Impact of grazing on species composition: adding complexity to a generalized model. Austral Ecology 36, 881–890.
| Impact of grazing on species composition: adding complexity to a generalized model.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Økland, R. H. (1999). On the variation explained by ordination and constrained ordination axes. Journal of Vegetation Science 10, 131–136.
| On the variation explained by ordination and constrained ordination axes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Oteros-Rozas, E., González, J., Martín-López, B., López, C., and Montes, C. (2012). Ecosystem services and social-ecological resilience in transhumance cultural landscapes: learning from the past, looking for a future. In: ‘Resilience and the Cultural Landscape. Understanding and Managing Change in Human-shaped Environments’. (Eds T. Plieninger and C. Bieling.) pp. 242–260. (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.)
Ozinga, W. A., Schaminée, J. H., Bekker, R. M., Bonn, S., Poschlod, P., Tackenberg, O., Bakker, J., and van Groenendael, J. M. (2005). Predictability of plant species composition from environmental conditions is constrained by dispersal limitation. Oikos 108, 555–561.
| Predictability of plant species composition from environmental conditions is constrained by dispersal limitation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Peper, J., Jansen, F., Pietzsch, D., and Manthey, M. (2011). Patterns of plant species turnover along grazing gradients. Journal of Vegetation Science 22, 457–466.
| Patterns of plant species turnover along grazing gradients.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Polunin, O., and Stainton, A. (1984). ‘Flowers of the Himalayas.’ (Oxford University Press, Oxford India Paperbacks: New Delhi, India.)
Ponel, P., Andrieu-Ponel, V., Djamali, M., Lahijani, H., Leydet, M., and Mashkour, M. (2013). Fossil beetles as possible evidence for transhumance during the middle and late Holocene in the high mountains of Talysch (Talesh) in NW Iran? Environmental Archaeology 18, 201–210.
| Fossil beetles as possible evidence for transhumance during the middle and late Holocene in the high mountains of Talysch (Talesh) in NW Iran?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Press, J. R., Shrestha, K. K., and Sutton, D. A. (2000). ‘Annotated Checklist of the Flowering Plants of Nepal.’ (The Natural History Museum: London, UK.)
Preston, D., Fairbairn, J., Paniagua, N., Maas, G., Yevara, M., and Beck, S. (2003). Grazing and environmental change on the Tarija Altiplano, Bolivia. Mountain Research and Development 23, 141–148.
| Grazing and environmental change on the Tarija Altiplano, Bolivia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pykälä, J. (2005). Cattle grazing increases plant species richness of most species trait groups in mesic semi-natural grasslands. Plant Ecology 175, 217–226.
| Cattle grazing increases plant species richness of most species trait groups in mesic semi-natural grasslands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Reitalu, T., Johansson, L. J., Sykes, M. T., Hall, K., and Prentice, H. C. (2010). History matters: village distances, grazing and grassland species diversity. Journal of Applied Ecology 47, 1216–1224.
| History matters: village distances, grazing and grassland species diversity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Riginos, C., and Hoffman, M. T. (2003). Changes in population biology of two succulent shrubs along a grazing gradient. Journal of Applied Ecology 40, 615–625.
| Changes in population biology of two succulent shrubs along a grazing gradient.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rokaya, M. B., Munzbergova, Z., Timsina, B., and Bhattarai, K. R. (2012). Rheum australe D. Don: a review of its botany, ethnobotany, phytochemistry amd pharmacology. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 141, 761–774.
| Rheum australe D. Don: a review of its botany, ethnobotany, phytochemistry amd pharmacology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XmtVCisLk%3D&md5=d004feb327711cb11bb6fc7fc8d22e83CAS | 22504148PubMed |
Ruiz, M., and Ruiz, J. P. (1986). Ecological history of transhumance in Spain. Biological Conservation 37, 73–86.
| Ecological history of transhumance in Spain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Salick, J., Fang, Z., and Byg, A. (2009). Eastern Himalayan alpine plant ecology, Tibetan ethnobotany, and climate change. Global Environmental Change 19, 147–155.
| Eastern Himalayan alpine plant ecology, Tibetan ethnobotany, and climate change.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schöb, C., Armas, C., and Pugnaire, F. I. (2013). Direct and indirect interactions co‐determine species composition in nurse plant systems. Oikos 122, 1371–1379.
| Direct and indirect interactions co‐determine species composition in nurse plant systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shaoliang, Y., Ning, W., Peng, L., Qian, W., Fusun, S., Geng, S., and Jianzhong, M. (2007). Changes in livestock migration patterns in a Tibetan-style agropastoral system. Mountain Research and Development 27, 138–145.
| Changes in livestock migration patterns in a Tibetan-style agropastoral system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sharma, L. N., Chaudhary, R. P., and Gupta, V. N. P. (2010). Weed diversity in the trans-Himalayan wheat fields of upper Manang, Nepal. In: ‘Sustainable Use of Biological Resources in Nepal’. (Ed. P. K. Jha.) pp. 72–78. (Ecological Society (ECOS): Kathmandu, Nepal.)
Sherpa, L. N. (2008). ‘Through a Sherpa Window: Illustrated Guide to Sherpa Culture.’ (Vajra Publications: Kathmandu, Nepal.)
Shrestha, T. B., and Joshi, R. M. (1996). ‘Rare, Endemic and Endangered Plants of Nepal.’ (WWF, Nepal Program: Kathmandu, Nepal.)
Shrestha, K., and Vetaas, O. (2009). The forest ecotone effect on species richness in an arid trans-Himalayan landscape of Nepal. Folia Geobotanica 44, 247–262.
| The forest ecotone effect on species richness in an arid trans-Himalayan landscape of Nepal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stainton, A. (1988). ‘Flowers of the Himalayas: a Supplement.’ (Oxford University Press: New Delhi, India.)
Steinfeld, H., Wassenaar, T., and Jutzi, S. (2006). Livestock production systems in developing countries: status, drivers, trends. Revue Scientifique et Technique 25, 505–516.
| 1:STN:280:DC%2BD28nmtVantw%3D%3D&md5=f8f2bfd3bb496e96b6c76f1bf4965a8aCAS | 17094693PubMed |
Sternberg, T. (2012). Piospheres and pastoralists: vegetation and degradation in steppe grasslands. Human Ecology 40, 811–820.
| Piospheres and pastoralists: vegetation and degradation in steppe grasslands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Taddese, G., Mohamed Saleem, M. A., Abyie, A., and Wagnew, A. (2002). Impact of grazing on plant species richness, plant biomass, plant attribute, and soil physical and hydrological properties of vertisol in East African Highlands. Environmental Management 29, 279–289.
| Impact of grazing on plant species richness, plant biomass, plant attribute, and soil physical and hydrological properties of vertisol in East African Highlands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 11815829PubMed |
ter Braak, C. J. F. (1986). Canonical correspondence analysis: a new eigenvector technique for multivariate direct gradient analysis. Ecology 67, 167–179.
ter Braak, C. J. F., and Šmilauer, P. (1998). ‘CANOCO for Windows Version 4.5.’ (Biometrics-Plant Research International: Wageningen, The Netherlands.)
Todd, S. W. (2006). Gradients in vegetation cover, structure and species richness of Nama-Karoo shrublands in relation to distance from livestock watering points. Journal of Applied Ecology 43, 293–304.
| Gradients in vegetation cover, structure and species richness of Nama-Karoo shrublands in relation to distance from livestock watering points.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Uprety, Y., Poudel, R. C., Asselin, H., Boon, E. K., and Shrestha, K. K. (2011). Stakeholder perspectives on use, trade, and conservation of medicinal plants in the Rasuwa District of Central Nepal. Journal of Mountain Science 8, 75–86.
| Stakeholder perspectives on use, trade, and conservation of medicinal plants in the Rasuwa District of Central Nepal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vanderpuye, A. W., Elvebakk, A., and Nilsen, L. (2002). Plant communities along environmental gradients of high-arctic mires in Sassendalen, Svalbard. Journal of Vegetation Science 13, 875–884.
| Plant communities along environmental gradients of high-arctic mires in Sassendalen, Svalbard.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vandvik, V., and Birks, H. J. B. (2002). Partitioning floristic variance in Norwegian upland grasslands into within-site and between-site components: are the patterns determined by environment or by land-use? Plant Ecology 162, 233–245.
| Partitioning floristic variance in Norwegian upland grasslands into within-site and between-site components: are the patterns determined by environment or by land-use?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zhang, J. T., and Dong, Y. (2009). Effects of grazing intensity, soil variables, and topography on vegetation diversity in the sub-alpine meadows of the Zhongtiao Mountains, China. The Rangeland Journal 31, 353–360.
| Effects of grazing intensity, soil variables, and topography on vegetation diversity in the sub-alpine meadows of the Zhongtiao Mountains, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
