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Successful establishment of desired species during restoration is challenging in drylands. Much research has focused on the importance of the critical life stages such as germination and emergence, but factors influencing survival through the seedling stages of perennial grasses may be equally important. We asked whether seedling defoliation by insects and/or mammals could cause restoration failure. We quantified the degree of defoliation on seedlings of common perennial grass species at 46 restoration sites throughout Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada, and calculated survival probabilities during the first growing season after planting. At each site, we excluded small mammals and insects for 6 weeks and compared defoliation and survival probabilities with seedlings in controls without exclusions. Seedlings were classified as either: large perennial grasses (LPG), primarily from the Triticeae tribe, or Bluegrasses (Poa spp.). Defoliation of LPG reduced seedling survival, but the effect was small compared to the influence of meteorological variables, such as precipitation and temperature. Based on bite patterns, most defoliation resulted from insects. Only a small percentage of vegetation was removed (36% of individuals were defoliated, mean = 13.2% vegetation removal). Defoliation of bluegrasses was less common than that of LPG seedlings, with only 16% experiencing defoliation, primarily from insects (mean = 4.3% vegetation removal). Some defoliation did occur within the exclusion treatments, but the effect of defoliation on seedling survival did not appear to interact with treatment. Based on the results of this study, seedling herbivory is unlikely to be a major factor in restoration failure in the Northern Great Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centaurea melitensis L., known commonly as Malta thistle, is an aggressive and invasive weed species native to the Mediterranean region. This species now occupies a diverse range of ecosystems and climate types across the globe, including the semi‐arid zone of New South Wales, Australia. This semi‐arid climate differs dramatically from its native Mediterranean climate, therefore, we aimed to identify if local adaptations in the seed ecology for C. melitensis have developed. Seeds were collected from mature C. melitensis at Nanya Station, located within the Scotia region of NSW, and then transported to Federation University Australia, Mt. Helen, Victoria. Under laboratory conditions, mature seeds were tested for their germination responses to temperature (17/7, 25/15, 30/20, 35/25°C), photoperiod (12 h light and 12 h dark [L/D], 24 h dark [D]), salinity (0, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mM), osmotic potential (0, −0.1, −0.2, −0.4, −0.6, and −0.8 MPa), and pH (5, 6, 6.2, 7, 8, 9, and 10). The seeds achieved 100% germination in the 17/7°C treatment, with light not being a limiting factor. The seeds exposed to the 25/15°C (D) and 30/20°C (D) treatments also maintained high germination percentage, whilst germination was significantly reduced in the 35/25°C (D) treatment. The L/D photoperiod maintained a 77.5% germination rate at 35/25°C. Whilst increased salinity reduced seed germination from 97.5% in the control to 6% at 250 mM, this species nevertheless demonstrated resistance to osmotic stress with 23% germination observed at 0.8 MPa. Germination exceeded 90% at all of the soil pH treatments, although mean germination time was significantly reduced when seeds were treated with a solution of pH 10. Our results demonstrate that the C. melitensis seeds collected in Australia's semi‐arid zone demonstrated high germination plasticity and are capable of competitive germination in warmer and drier conditions compared to its native Mediterranean climate. Therefore, management efforts that prioritise restricting the spread of C. melitensis seeds into new environments, for example through practising correct sanitation protocols, coupled with the early detection and control of emerging populations will be critical for C. melitensis management in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, bush encroachment threatens rangeland ecosystem services, including plant biodiversity and forage for livestock. Various control methods for encroaching woody species and restoring herbaceous vegetation exist but have rarely been explored experimentally. We assessed the impact of post-tree thinning management on tree mortality, the herbaceous community, and overall rangeland condition in Borana, an Ethiopian savanna ecosystem. At two 1.4 ha areas of encroached mono-specific Vachellia drepanolobium (whistling thorn) stands, we set up twenty-four 20 × 10 m experimental plots with four post-tree-thinning treatments (goat browsing only (1), prescribed fire (2), fire and goat browsing (3), and control (4) (i.e., no management after tree cutting), with three replications in a complete block design. Over two growing periods, we monitored resulting tree mortality, coppicing, seedling mortality and recruitment, as well as herbaceous layer attributes (diversity, biomass) and overall rangeland condition. All three posttree thinning management scenarios significantly enhanced tree mortalities, reduced seedling recruitment and increased the abundance of the dominant desirable grass species. Prescribed fire and fire and goat-browsing treatments resulted in significantly greater grass and forb species richness, forb diversity, and biomass, as well as the overall rangeland condition compared to goat browsing only and the control treatment. However, grass species diversity did not respond to treatments. Post-tree management significantly increased tree mortality, reduced seedling recruitment, and increased the abundance of desirable grass species. Our findings strongly suggest that post-thinning management, particularly prescribed fire or a combination of fire and browsing, is highly effective in suppressing woody encroachment and improving biomass and overall rangeland condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In mountainous areas, wild edible plants are an important part of the local diet. Climate change and anthropogenic activities have profound effects on wild edible plants in these areas. Ethnobotanical studies are important for understanding the use patterns and harvest impacts on these plants. In this regard, the Shahrood region, with its diverse historical/ethnic background, is an appropriate starting point to investigate exploitation patterns and impacts of harvest of wild edible plants. During 2021–2022, ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in 12 villages in the region using semi-structured interviews and participatory observations. Data collection included assessing wild edible plant species diversity, their habitats, collection time and quantities, plant parts used and methods of consumption and preparation. The data were analyzed using use report indicators, relative frequency of citations, and use value (UV). A total of 1086 use reports were documented from a total of 44 interviews. A total of 67 wild species (66 plants and 1 fungus) belonging to 54 genera and 24 families were used as edible in the study area. Rosaceae (9 species), Apiaceae (8), Lamiaceae (8), Asteraceae (7), and Amaryllidaceae (5) were the families with the most reported species. Allium (5 species) was the most diverse genus in terms of species diversity. Herbs were the most commonly used life form (79.1%), followed by shrubs (13.4%) and trees (6%). The most consumed plant parts were young leaves (25%) and young aerial parts (21.4%). There were 13 use categories identified. The majority of edible plants were collected in April–May, mainly from areas nearby villages (37.7%) and rangelands (33.7%). The most important edible plants in the study area were Allium iranicum (Wendelbo) Wendelbo (UV = 1.7), Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. (1.5), Allium umbilicatum Boiss. (1.47), Tragopogon graminifolius DC. (1.38), Lepidium draba L. (1.27), Urtica dioica L. (1.18), Falcaria vulgaris Bernh. (1.13), Malva neglecta Wallr. (1.11) and Eremurus sp. (1.09). Our results showed diverse and valuable knowledge for wild edible plants in this region, which should be considered in the conservation and management plans in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has brought about credible changes in arid landscapes which have resulted in further challenges for pastoralists who require good quality rangeland resources to sustain their livestock. This study assessed local level coping and adaptivemanagement strategies by pastoralists in Namibia and South Africa using a capital assets approach, and also explored non-climate related barriers that increase their vulnerability to climate change. A case study approach was used, which included focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews. The main findings of the research indicate that pastoralists have been exposed to increased temperature extremes and droughts of varying duration over time which reduced the quality and quantity of forage and resulted in losses of income and animal health. The 46 different coping and adaptation strategies used by pastoralists included financial (n =15), natural (n = 15), human (n =12), physical (n = 2) and social (n = 2) capital. Of these, 61% of the strategies were common between the two countries. Strategies included income diversification, supplementary feeding and livestock mobility. Pastoralists had to overcome a hierarchy of barriers to implement their coping and adaptation strategies, which were largely related to human capital in Namibia and to natural capital in South Africa. These barriers included a lack of access to grazing lands, land degradation and the loss of traditional knowledge to manage livestock and rangeland resources. Policy development should take these barriers into account while building on the foundation of existing adaptation strategies to reduce the vulnerability to climate change of pastoralists in dryland regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beekeeping has faced increasing difficulties during the past decades, among which is the decline in floral resources. Agriculture provides essential floral resources for beekeeping, but some farming practices have also been shown to be responsible for their decline. To provide floral resources for beekeeping, what type of agricultural transformation should be promoted, and how? To answer these questions, we still lack knowledge about the floral resources that are used by beekeeping and about the technical-economic obstacles that farmers face in implementing more favorable farming practices, particularly in agropastoral settings. To help fill these gaps, we develop a novel approach that frames both agropastoral farming and beekeeping as farming systems, by characterizing the beekeeping systems of a given place, the floral resources they use, and the impacts these farming systems have on floral resources. This approach is applied to the agropastoral landscapes of Mount Lozère, southern France, using a methodology based on semi-structured interviews with farmers and beekeepers addressing the agronomical functioning of their farms. We demonstrate that the floral resources used by beekeepers on Mount Lozère are threatened by the current dominant agricultural development paths, which seek to maximize the material productivity of labor. Such paths lead to the intensification of agricultural practices in harvested areas and the extensification of rangelands. These pathways are reinforced by the low remuneration of agropastoral labor and by the current rules of the European Union Common Agricultural Policy. "Frugal" farming, a farming system based on reduced inputs and investments, and labor-intensive practices, namely, a labor-intensive use of pasture, seems an effective way to produce floral resources. Both, agropastoral farmers and beekeepers, would benefit from an increase in the number of agricultural workers in agropastoral landscapes. This calls for public policies that promote a better remuneration of agropastoral labor, either directly or by driving market mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ immobilization is a potential approach that can be used to remediate low-to-medium levels of heavy-metal in contaminated-soil. There is little known about how modifications to soil characteristics may affect Pb's release from soil. The four different amendments, triple-superphosphate and attapulgite were combined in Ad-1; zeolite and triple-superphosphate were in Ad-2; hydroxyapatite and humus were in Ad-3; and nano-carbon. These amendments are mostly made of phyllosilicate minerals, humus, base minerals, and nano-carbon, respectively. Results revealed that the test amendments' maximal Pb-adsorption capacity varied from 7.47 to 17.67 mg g−1. Surface precipitation and ion-exchange were found to be the main mechanisms for Pb-adsorption by Ad-1 and Ad-2, while Ad-3 and Ad-4 were promising among the all, according to analysis of the modifications both before and after Pb loading. When the pH dropped (7-1) or the ion-strength rose (0–0.2 M), there was a discernible rise in the Pb-desorption percentages from the amendments. It was determined that Ad-3 and Ad-4 were more effective in situ immobilizing lead in contaminated-soils because of their high adsorption capacities (12.82 and 17.67 mg g−1) and low-desorption percentages (4.46–6.23%) at ion-strengths of 0.01–0.1 mol L−1 and pH levels ranging from 5 to 7. NOVELTY STATEMENT: This study pioneers a comprehensive exploration into the efficacy of novel soil amendments, Ad-3 and Ad-4 crafted from phyllosilicate minerals, humus, base minerals, and nano-carbon, showcasing their unprecedented potential in mitigating lead pollution. By delving into the intricate mechanisms of lead adsorption and desorption within treated soils, this research fills a critical gap in understanding how modifications to soil characteristics can influence the secondary release of lead, thus providing essential insights for tailored in situ remediation strategies to safeguard both plant and human health in lead-endangered environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The twolined spittlebug, Prosapia bicincta (Say), is a major economic pest of forage grass and turfgrass. Prosapia bicincta was first detected in rangelands on Hawaiʻi Island in 2016 and has since spread to an estimated 72,000 ha in the North and South Kona districts. This study aimed to quantify P. bicincta abundance, plant associations, and impacts on groundcover over time. Monthly surveys of P. bicincta nymphs and adults were conducted from February 2018 to September 2022 along 17 established 100-m transects at 4 ranches located in Kona, Hawaiʻi Island, spanning an elevation gradient from 519 to 1,874 m above sea level (a.s.l.). Monitoring revealed P. bicincta occurs from 519 to 1,679 m a.s.l. primarily in Kikuyu grass (Cenchrus clandestinus (Hochst. ex Chiov.)) Morrone (Poales: Poaceae) pastures. Peaks in P. bicincta abundance coincided with the wet season, with most activity occurring from April to October and little to no activity between November and March. Mid elevation (1,000–1,300 m) transects had significantly higher mean P. bicincta abundance (126 nymphs/m2) relative to low (500–999 m) (64 nymphs/m2) and high elevations (>1,300 m) (20 nymphs/m2). Sites with the highest abundance of P. bicincta were also associated with the greatest decrease in mean grass cover (30%) and were replaced by forbs, bare ground, and shrubs. Grasses accounted for 72% of the total P. bicincta detections, with the remaining plants comprised of legumes (16%), sedges (6%), and forbs (6%). Twenty new P. bicincta plant associations were found. This information will help improve the effectiveness of management to suppress populations below economic thresholds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: We live in a changing world, and human-induced landscape changes cause shifts and expansions of ranges of living organisms worldwide. During range expansions, animals and plants invade and colonize new areas, which may have dramatic ecological and evolutionary consequences. We studied the genetic consequences of range expansion in the desert rodent, currently colonizing new areas in Kalmykia (Southern Russia) following the desertification of rangelands. We found that genetic diversity in the colonizing population was lower than in the range core. Moreover, the colonizing population exhibited strong spatial structuration and increased frequencies of genetic variants (alleles) rare in the source population—signatures of allele surfing, a phenomenon theoretically predicted but, so far, rarely observed in natural populations. Our findings provide new insights into understanding the genetic consequences of range expansions and are important for managing expanding populations and invasions. Colonizing populations at the leading edge of range expansion are expected to have a reduced genetic diversity and strong genetic structure caused by genetic drift and allele surfing. Until now, few studies have found the genetic signatures of allele surfing in expanding wild populations. Using mtDNA markers, we studied the genetic structure of the population of midday gerbils (Meriones meridianus) expanding their range to the west in Kalmykia (southern Russia) following the new cycle of desertification, re-colonizing areas abandoned in the mid-2010s. In the colonizing population, we found a reduced genetic diversity, the redistribution of haplotype frequencies—in particular, in favor of variants rare in the core population—and strong genetic structure combined with strong differentiation from the core population—patterns suggestive of allele surfing on the wave of expansion. In terms of genetic diversity and spatial structuration, the western edge population sampled in 2008 before its collapse in 2017 occupies the intermediate position between the current colonizing and core population. This suggests that reduced genetic diversity and increased genetic differentiation are general features of marginal populations, enhanced by the founder and allele-surfing effects at the leading edges of expanding ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic of rangelands results from complex interactions between vegetation, soil, climate, and human activity. This scenario makes rangeland's condition challenging to monitor, and degradation assessment should be carefully considered when studying grazing pressures. In the present work, we study the interaction of vegetation and soil moisture in semiarid rangelands using vegetation and soil moisture indices. We aim to study the feasibility of using soil moisture negative anomalies as a warning index for vegetation or agricultural drought. Two semiarid agricultural regions were selected in Spain for this study: Los Vélez (Almería) and Bajo Aragón (Teruel). MODIS images, with 250 m and 500 m spatial resolution, from 2002 to 2019, were acquired to calculate the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) and the Water Condition Index (WCI) based on the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and soil moisture component (W), respectively. The Optical Trapezoid Model (OPTRAM) estimated this latter W index. From them, the anomaly (Z-score) for each index was calculated, being Z V C I and Z W C I , respectively. The probability of coincidence of their negative anomalies was calculated every 10 days (10-day periods). The results show that for specific months, the Z W C I had a strong probability of informing in advance, where the negative Z V C I will decrease. Soil moisture content and vegetation indices show more similar dynamics in the months with lower temperatures (from autumn to spring). In these months, given the low temperatures, precipitation leads to vegetation growth. In the following months, water availability depends on evapotranspiration and vegetation type as the temperature rises and the precipitation falls. The stronger relationship between vegetation and precipitation from autumn to the beginning of spring is reflected in the feasibility of Z W C I to aid the prediction of Z V C I . During these months, using Z W C I as a warning index is possible for both areas studied. Notably, November to the beginning of February showed an average increase of 20–30% in the predictability of vegetation anomalies, knowing moisture soil anomalies four lags in advance. We found other periods of relevant increment in the predictability, such as March and April for Los Vélez, and from July to September for Bajo Aragón. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Monitoring forage in livestock operations is critical to sustainable rangeland management of soil and ecological processes that provide both livestock and wildlife habitat. Traditional ground-based sampling methods have been widely used and provide valuable information; however, they are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and limited in their ability to capture larger extents of the spatial and temporal dynamics of rangeland ecosystems. Drones provide a solution to collect data to larger extents than field-based methods and with higher-resolution than traditional remote sensing platforms. Our objectives were to (1) assess the accuracy of vegetation cover height in grasses using drones, (2) quantify the spatial distribution of vegetation cover height in grazed and non-grazed pastures during the dormant (fall–winter) and growing seasons (spring–summer), and (3) evaluate the spatial distribution of vegetation cover height as a proxy for northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) habitat in South Texas. We achieved this by very fine scale drone-derived imagery and using class level landscape metrics to assess vegetation cover height configuration. Results: Estimated heights from drone imagery had a significant relationship with the field height measurements in September (r2 = 0.83; growing season) and February (r2 = 0.77; dormant season). Growing season pasture maintained residual landscape habitat configuration adequate for bobwhites throughout the fall and winter of 2022–2023 following grazing. Dormant season pasture had an increase in bare ground cover, and a shift from many large patches of tall herbaceous cover (40–120 cm) to few large patches of low herbaceous cover (5–30 cm) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Drones provided high-resolution imagery that allowed us to assess the spatial and temporal changes of vertical herbaceous vegetation structure in a semi-arid rangeland subject to grazing. This study shows how drone imagery can be beneficial for wildlife conservation and management by providing insights into changes in fine-scale vegetation spatial and temporal heterogeneity from livestock grazing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing densities of woody plants, known as woody plant encroachment, is a phenomenon affecting savannas and grasslands in many parts of the world. Yet, these ecosystems sustain a significant proportion of the human population through the provision of ecosystem services, such as forage for livestock and wildlife production. While low to medium altitude rangelands are encroached by many species of woody plants, high altitude rangelands in southern Africa show increasing densities of Leucosidea sericea, a woody shrub or small to medium-sized tree. Influences of this species on rangeland dynamics are unknown. This study aimed to determine the influence of L. sericea on rangeland functioning in the Vuvu communal area in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Effects of L. sericea on plant species diversity and composition, rangeland condition and grazing capacity were measured in sites of variable densities of the species in topographical locations designated as plains, upland and stream sites, using a point-to-tuft method along 50-m long transects. Soil samples were collected to a depth of 5 cm from plains, streams, and upland sites, and analysed for organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and pH. Plant species richness and abundance were similar among topographical locations, which was reflected by the similar Shannon-Weiner (H′) diversity indices among sites. Topographical locations differed significantly in species composition. The plains sites had a higher grazing capacity than stream sites, which had a grazing capacity similar to that of upland sites. Values of soil physicochemical properties were similar among the sites. Overall, soils were acidic (range in pH: 4.4–4.6) and had low amounts of organic carbon and total nitrogen. These findings suggest that L. sericea is not the primary cause of rangeland degradation as all sites were in poor condition as shown by the low grazing capacity, poor rangeland condition and depauperate species richness and diversity. Therefore, rangeland management should shift towards restoration strategies aimed to revitalise the rangeland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This field study in a semi‐arid savannah at Senkelle Swayne's Hartebeest Sanctuary, Ethiopia, examined livestock grazing effects on rangeland condition, plant species composition and richness, and population of the endangered Swayne's hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei). Rangeland condition was analysed using a common protocol for the assessment of semi‐arid rangelands. A total count method was used to estimate ungulate numbers. Grazing reduced all measures of range condition and productivity and affected the composition and richness of the herbaceous species. Grazing also induced an increase in the density and number of encroaching woody species Vachellia seyal and Senegalia senegal. The population of the Swayne's hartebeest significantly affected by livestock grazing (mean number of hartebeests observed under moderately and lightly grazed sites were 10.00 ± 2.49 and 6.75 ± 2.06, respectively). No individual hartebeest was observed roaming in the heavily grazed zone, which implies an effective reduction in the extent of habitat available for the hartebeest. The overall condition of the rangeland was poor. Measures to reduce livestock presence in areas from which the hartebeest has been displaced and controlled seasonal livestock grazing within non‐sensitive parts of the Sanctuary may benefit the hartebeest. Coupled with these, livestock exclusions for up to a year and interseeding may help improve rangeland condition and hartebeest's habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bromus tectorum invasion and associated impacts have been documented extensively in the western United States. Integrated approaches have been shown to be effective in restoring rangeland impacted by B. tectorum. While integrating herbicide and seeding of native species can be effective, strategic timing of these tools could further improve restoration outcomes. At three B. tectorum- infested rangeland sites in western Montana, we tested the effects of glyphosate application and timing (fall or spring) and five Pseudoroegneria spicata seeding dates (one fall and four spring dates) on density and cover of P. spicata. Pseudoroegneria spicata density was nearly ten times higher with glyphosate applied to B. tectorum compared to none at one site, and P. spicata abundance was generally greater when spring glyphosate application was combined with spring seeding at two other sites where densities ranged from six to 25 plants per m2. Overall, B. tectorum abundance was minimally affected by treatments and fluctuated between years and across study sites. Our results indicate that spring seeding of P. spicata following a spring glyphosate application promoted establishment of P. spicata , increasing its density and cover compared to fall glyphosate application and fall seeding, spring glyphosate following fall seeding, or seeding without any glyphosate. Restoration practitioners have an ecologically-based strategy for timing glyphosate application and seeding P. spicata based on our results, where spring-seeded P. spicata can grow for several months prior to fall emergence of the next B. tectorum cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In precision seeding operations, the irregular shapes of maize seed particles and the suboptimal geometric structure of the seed tube contribute to the rolling and bouncing of seeds upon falling into the furrow, ultimately compromising seeding uniformity. To address this issue, a convergent groove-guided (CGG) seed tube was proposed based on the principle of brachistochrone curve considering friction (BCCF). The discrete element method (DEM) was employed to conduct a comprehensive phenomenological analysis and numerical investigation of particle guide characteristics. Bench tests and field experiments were designed to verify the simulation results. Through response surface analysis, the optimal seeding performance was achieved at a groove angle of 111.34°, tube incline angle of 1.56°, and ground speed of 7.2 km h−1, resulting in a lateral dispersion landing range of 11.10 mm, angular velocity of 17.38 rad s−1, seed landing speed variation coefficient of 2.29%, and plant spacing variation coefficient of 6.04%. Bench test results unveiled that, under a ground speed of 7.2 km h−1, the variation coefficient of plant spacing for CGG seed tubes was measured at 7.63%, with a deviation of 1.59% from the simulation results. At high ground speeds of 9.0–14.4 km h−1, the seed guiding performance was also better than traditional seed tubes. Consistent results were also verified through field experiments. Therefore, the CGG seed tube manifested superior seed guidance efficacy when juxtaposed with its conventional counterpart, and this design can provide technical support for the realization of seed-to-ground positioning technology. [Display omitted] • A novel convergent groove-guided seed tube was proposed based on BCCF. • The seed guiding performance of different maize seed shapes was investigated. • The key parameters of seed tube were optimised by response surface fitting. • Alteration in seed posture within the seed tube was examined by high-speed camera. • Bench and field experiments verified improvement performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adaptive management in arid and semi-arid regions of Patagonia, Argentina, requires a thorough understanding of vegetative dynamics, which can be obtained via rangeland assessment and monitoring. These practices are essential for decision-making to prevent environmental degradation, especially in the light of drought aggravated by climate change. In turn, most methods used to evaluate rangelands focus on data obtained from field measurements and vegetation classifications based on remote sensing data. One of the most frequent problems is that field-based rangeland assessments, based on field measurements, turn out to be expensive because they require high efforts in data collection and additionally fail to accumulate a large amount of data over time. However, satellite data series have been available for more than 20 years, which nowadays makes it possible to analyze the variation over time of vegetation productivity, and at the same time, minimize the costs. This study aimed to compare and evaluate the complementarity of information between two classification systems based on: (a) vegetation productivity dynamics derived from remote sensing data, which we have termed Rangeland Functional Archetypes, and (b) geomorphological features and field data at a farm level. We discuss the complementarity of information that can enhance rangeland assessments applied to Patagonian pastoral systems. In particular, we emphasize the opportunities to redesign management plans aimed at including dynamics and changes in time of vegetation productivity as a classificatory factor and not solely as a descriptive variable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to assess the encroachment of woody plants on the rangelands of the Dallo Manna district of Bale Zone, and their impact on plant species diversity and pastoral livelihoods. Plant data were collected from 45 plots at encroaching sites and 4 plots at non-encroached sites, with a size of 20 m × 20 m for comparison. Data on pastoral perceptions were collected through questionnaires, interviews with key informants, and focus group discussions. A total of 62 woody species were recorded at both non-encroached and encroached sites, of which 58 species (93.5%) were recorded at non-encroached sites and 24 (38.7%) at encroached sites. Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight and Arn. was the most abundant and dominant invasive woody species, followed by Senegalia mellifera (Vahl) Siegler and Ebinger, and Dalbergia microphylla Chiov. Overall, our results indicated that the effects of woody species encroachment significantly affected rangeland vegetation conditions and livelihoods. The major drivers for the encroachment were found to be fire suppression, overgrazing, and dispersal syndromes. However, in order to understand the exact causes of the woody plant encroachment, multiple variables should be considered in future research. For the successful control of encroachment, insights from an integrated approach will benefit from both local traditional and scientific knowledge of the ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grazing practices fundamentally shape plant community composition and biodiversity worldwide, more importantly in water-limited environments. This study aimed to investigate plant community composition, species distribution of occurrence and diversity indices in an arid rangeland under different grazing intensities. The quadrat method was used to select 90 × 1 m2 quadrats in heavy-grazing, light-grazing and ungrazed sites. Plant species frequency, relative frequency, abundance, relative abundance and density, as well as species richness, evenness, Shannon diversity index and Simpson's diversity index were calculated. A total of 46 plant species belonging to 17 families were recorded. The Asteraceæ family was represented with the highest frequency (28%). Overall in the study area, around 95%, 70% and 40% of recorded plant families existed in light-grazing, ungrazed and heavy-grazing sites, respectively. The species richness of identified plants in light-grazing and ungrazed sites was 300% and 200% greater, respectively, than in the heavy-grazing sites. Around 85% of existing plants in heavy-grazing sites were therophyte plants. The species frequency, abundance, density and diversity indices were higher in light-grazing sites compared to those under heavy grazing, which indicates a more diverse, heterogenous and balanced plant community in the light-grazing site. Plant communities in light-grazing and ungrazed sites were similar, except for higher species frequency, density and evenness in light-grazing sites. This suggests that light-grazing intensities in the arid rangelands of Jordan enhance plant diversity more than grazing exclusion, which encourages decision-makers and environmentalists to implement regulations prohibiting intensive grazing in the arid rangelands of Jordan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Nama-Karoo, grazing by livestock is an important driver of Karoo shrub composition. Many different breeds of livestock are farmed in the Nama-Karoo, and the stocking rate varies greatly over the region. In this study we examine how grazing by dorper and merino sheep applied at three stocking rates affected two Karoo shrublands on a long-term grazing trial at Grootfontein in the eastern Karoo. The effects of grazing treatment on shrub communities at two sites of the Afrikaner-Hereford grazing trial differed greatly and were measurable after ten years of rest. At the sandier, grassier Afrikaner site, heavy grazing by dorper sheep had a significant effect on shrub composition, density and cover, whereas the effect of grazing treatment was less pronounced at the Hereford site. Lenient grazing by merino sheep resulted in a vastly different community compared to all other grazing treatments. Individual Karoo shrub species responded differently to grazing treatment. Overall shrub recruitment has faltered for all but three species, and populations were dominated by intermediate-sized and large individuals. Results indicate that grazing management, animal type and stocking rate are important determinants of Nama-Karoo rangeland composition and structure with evidence of a legacy effect longer than ten years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States, rangelands comprise 30% of the total land cover and serve as a valuable resource for livestock, wildlife, water, and recreation. Rangelands vary in climate and are often subject to disturbances like drought and wildfire. Historic wildfire trends have indicated an increase in wildfire size and frequency, raising societal and ecological concerns about the management of these lands, both pre- and post-wildfire. While there has been investigation into the effects of grazing prior to a wildfire on fire severity and plant mortality, there is limited research related to grazing post-wildfire even though current management paradigms suggest deferring grazing rangeland for two years after a wildfire to avoid additional stress on native plant species. Based on the diversity found across rangeland ecotypes and history with wildfire, the two-year deferment recommendation may need to be reconsidered for some ecosystems. Species found in perennial bunchgrass rangelands like Pseudoroegneria spicata (bluebunch wheatgrass) and Festuca idahoensis (Idaho fescue) may be less susceptible to post-fire grazing than initially thought, necessitating the need for research into different rangeland ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explains how the Agricultural Protection Area Act in Idaho will help usher preservation measures for working lands, including cropland, pasture, rangeland and private forests. It summarizes provisions of the law covering the regulation of necessary use of lands, continuity development, viability of agricultural use, and application for designation of land as an agricultural protection area (APA). Also noted is the need for local governments to establish APA ordinance and commission.

Abstract In mountainous areas, wild edible plants are an important part of the local diet. Climate change and anthropogenic activities have profound effects on wild edible plants in these areas. Ethnobotanical studies are important for understanding the use patterns and harvest impacts on these plants. In this regard, the Shahrood region, with its diverse historical/ethnic background, is an appropriate starting point to investigate exploitation patterns and impacts of harvest of wild edible plants. During 2021–2022, ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in 12 villages in the region using semi-structured interviews and participatory observations. Data collection included assessing wild edible plant species diversity, their habitats, collection time and quantities, plant parts used and methods of consumption and preparation. The data were analyzed using use report indicators, relative frequency of citations, and use value (UV). A total of 1086 use reports were documented from a total of 44 interviews. A total of 67 wild species (66 plants and 1 fungus) belonging to 54 genera and 24 families were used as edible in the study area. Rosaceae (9 species), Apiaceae (8), Lamiaceae (8), Asteraceae (7), and Amaryllidaceae (5) were the families with the most reported species. Allium (5 species) was the most diverse genus in terms of species diversity. Herbs were the most commonly used life form (79.1%), followed by shrubs (13.4%) and trees (6%). The most consumed plant parts were young leaves (25%) and young aerial parts (21.4%). There were 13 use categories identified. The majority of edible plants were collected in April–May, mainly from areas nearby villages (37.7%) and rangelands (33.7%). The most important edible plants in the study area were Allium iranicum (Wendelbo) Wendelbo (UV = 1.7), Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. (1.5), Allium umbilicatum Boiss. (1.47), Tragopogon graminifolius DC. (1.38), Lepidium draba L. (1.27), Urtica dioica L. (1.18), Falcaria vulgaris Bernh. (1.13), Malva neglecta Wallr. (1.11) and Eremurus sp. (1.09). Our results showed diverse and valuable knowledge for wild edible plants in this region, which should be considered in the conservation and management plans in the region.

In the United States, rangelands comprise 30% of the total land cover and serve as a valuable resource for livestock, wildlife, water, and recreation. Rangelands vary in climate and are often subject to disturbances like drought and wildfire. Historic wildfire trends have indicated an increase in wildfire size and frequency, raising societal and ecological concerns about the management of these lands, both pre- and post-wildfire. While there has been investigation into the effects of grazing prior to a wildfire on fire severity and plant mortality, there is limited research related to grazing post-wildfire even though current management paradigms suggest deferring grazing rangeland for two years after a wildfire to avoid additional stress on native plant species. Based on the diversity found across rangeland ecotypes and history with wildfire, the two-year deferment recommendation may need to be reconsidered for some ecosystems. Species found in perennial bunchgrass rangelands like Pseudoroegneria spicata (bluebunch wheatgrass) and Festuca idahoensis (Idaho fescue) may be less susceptible to post-fire grazing than initially thought, necessitating the need for research into different rangeland ecosystems.

Rangeland assessment in the arid and semi-arid regions of Patagonia, Argentina, is a key tool both in livestock management and in environmental evaluations and monitoring of complex processes such as desertification and the impact of climate change. Although most rangeland assessment methods have assigned efforts to data resolution (field assessment plots) or information extension (landscape-scale classifications using remote sensing), the temporal variation of the vegetation has received less attention. It can be argued that the reasons for this deficit respond to the cost of carrying out field evaluations over time and/or to the short series of satellite data available until a couple of decades ago. However, a current advantage is that there are already more than 20 years of satellite data series, which opens up new possibilities to guide greater efforts in the study of the dynamics, that is, the temporal and spatiotemporal variability of the vegetation productivity. Our objective was to evaluate the application of a vegetation functional classification method, analyzing the complementation of information between structural and functional aspects of rangelands at a farm scale. In particular, we compared the results obtained by a classification of landscape units and physiognomy of vegetation and the results of a classification with a characterization of the dynamics of the vegetation productivity from the protocol that we have called Rangeland Functional Archetypes. The results emphasize the need to incorporate the dynamics of vegetation productivity as a classifying factor and not as a dependent variable of a previously defined structural classification. We discuss the potential and future steps to move forward in the integration of both approaches at the farm scale in the livestock systems of Patagonia, as a tool for a complementary structural and functional assessment of rangelands, oriented towards planning and adaptive management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the impacts of shrub encroachment on the ecosystem processes have been well-documented, little is known about the extent to which socio-cultural values and perceptions might influence actions undertaken to manage shrub proliferation. Understanding stakeholder values is important because the ecosystem's capacity to supply a given service or suite of services must be balanced against the value society places on them. Research to date has emphasized supply with little consideration of value, making it difficult to comprehensively or objectively evaluate trade-offs and set priorities, particularly when managing for one particular service or a suite of services that may adversely affect other services. To address this, we conducted a case study in Southern Arizona and New Mexico (USA) to evaluate stakeholder perceptions of and preferences for various ecosystem services provided on semi-arid rangelands where shrub proliferation has impacted traditional livestock grazing. Perceptions of rangeland ecosystem services were elicited via a visually based landscape interpretation while preferences were quantified using best-worst scaling (BWS). Our findings suggest that stakeholders familiar with rangelands and their management generally perceive low shrub cover as providing a wider range of valued ecosystem services compared to rangelands with high shrub cover. Contrary to expectations, ecosystem service preferences in the context of shrub encroachment were generally uniform across all stakeholder groups (e.g., ranchers, state/federal governmental employees, non-governmental land managers, academicians, recreationists), with habitat for biodiversity and erosion control being identified as the most preferred. Accordingly, our results indicate that the widespread perception/assumption that ranchers in this region undertake brush management to enhance livestock production solely for economic gain is seen as too narrow. Our results also suggest an opportunity for brush management to serve as a potential win-win management action if framed as a way to maintain or promote rangeland biodiversity and mitigate erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildfire in California is an increasing threat to life and property. The expansion of urban and suburban development into wildlands limits risk-reduction options like prescribed burning, whereas large-scale mechanical and herbicide treatments can be cost prohibitive and unpalatable to the public. Cattle grazing is a low risk, affordable treatment not frequently considered for use explicitly for fuels reduction in California. To examine the impact of cattle grazing on fire in Napa and Sonoma Counties, California, we quantified its effects as change in average annual burn probability. Probabilities were calculated for 2001-2017 using mixed-effect regression models in combination with a range of grazing intensities and extents. These grazing scenarios were designed to represent current grazing conditions, ungrazed conditions, adding grazing to high priority landscapes, and grazing the full study area. We estimated that under current grazing conditions, cattle grazing reduces average annual burn probability 45% (from 9.9% to 5.4%) compared to ungrazed conditions. Adding grazing to high priority landscapes as identified by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) decreased their average annual burn probability by 82% (from 7.6% to 1.4%) compared to under current grazing conditions. Of the scenarios assessed, grazing high priority landscapes heavily while maintaining the current extent and intensity of grazing on other rangelands provided the best return in terms of decreased burn probability per additional area grazed. Finally, we demonstrated how our methodologies can be utilized by fuel managers and planners to identify key areas for treatment with cattle grazing. Our findings suggest cattle grazing provides benefits to the study area by reducing overall burn probability, and that extending its use to treat fuels in priority areas in and around the wildland urban interface could provide further fire-risk reduction on communityadjacent lands. Land managers may find cattle grazing a valuable long term fuel-management tool at the landscape scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in wild and domestic herbivore populations significantly impact extensive grazing systems, particularly in low productive environments, where increasing wild herbivore populations are perceived as a threat to farming. To assess the magnitude of these changes in Iceland, we compiled time series on herbivore populations from 1986 to 2020 and estimated changes in species densities, metabolic biomass, and consumption of plant biomass in improved lands and unimproved rangelands. We compared estimates of consumption rates to past and present net primary production. Overall, the herbivore community composition shifted from livestock to wildlife dominated. However, wild herbivores only contributed a small fraction (14%) of the total herbivore metabolic biomass and consumption (4–7%), and livestock dominated the overall herbivore biomass. These insights highlight the necessity of developing improved local integrated management for both wild and domestic herbivores where they coexist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Debates about modern beef production suffer from a major historical blind spot. For over a century, the feedlot relied on a closed nutrient loop to sustain soil fertility in the United States Corn Belt. Driven by industrial capitalist urbanization, a cattle-grain-beef complex shaped land use, tenure systems, management practices and environmental politics on the expanding frontier, sacrificing the tall-grass prairies and fracturing agrarian resistance to corporate concentration and the Union Stock Yards. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) emerged after 1950, breaking the nutrient cycle of the original feedlot and turning the relationship between ranching and agriculture into a dysfunctional one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the mechanisms underlying viable seed production of perennial bunchgrasses is critical to improving restoration and conservation success in Great Basin sagebrush steppe rangelands. We studied the effects of pre‐ and post‐anthesis flag‐leaf removal and post‐anthesis seed‐head shading on reproductive effort in two important rangeland restoration species, the exotic crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) and native squirreltail (Elymus elymoides). Flag‐leaf removal had distinct, species‐specific effects on seed filling. Pre‐anthesis flag‐leaf removal in crested wheatgrass reduced the proportion of filled seeds, while post‐anthesis removal did not. In contrast, squirreltail increased filled seed proportions regardless of flag‐leaf removal timing. Neither flag‐leaf removal treatment affected seed quality, as quantified by seed‐specific mass (in grams per square meter), which significantly reduced with seed‐head shading in both species. Seed‐head shading reduced total propagule production (unfilled + filled seeds) in crested wheatgrass but increased it in squirreltail, possibly due to our shading method protecting from seed‐head herbivory or high‐light stress. Flag‐leaf removal in the squirreltail also induced a negative shading effect on filled seed area, mass, and specific mass. These findings suggest flag leaves can modulate reproductive effort outside of seed provisioning, either by maintaining pre‐fertilized seed viability, as in crested wheatgrass, or acting as a competitive sink to the fully emerged seed‐head, as in squirreltail. Moreover, this study demonstrates photosynthetic activity by the seed‐head itself is critical to the expression of seed quality traits important to seedling establishment success of semiarid perennial bunchgrasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across the wide range of land vertebrate species, spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAE) are common, but not always found. The reasons for the differences between species of the various groups in their emission patterns are often not well understood, particularly within mammals. This review examines the question as to what determines in mammals whether SOAE are emitted or not, and suggests that the coupling between hair-cell regions diminishes when the space constant of frequency distribution becomes larger. The reduced coupling is assumed to result in a greater likelihood of SOAE being emitted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we employed the evidential belief function model (EBF) to evaluate the potential for land subsidence in the primary aquifer of Bardaskan. Through field visits, we recorded GPS coordinates for 174 land subsidence points. Factors considered in assessing land subsidence potential included well density, groundwater extraction rate, geological characteristics, proximity to faults, vegetation cover, distance from the river, slope, and land use. To develop and validate the model, 70% of the recorded points were randomly selected for training and implementation, while the remaining 30% were reserved for model validation. The number and percentage of land subsidence points in the different classes of the corresponding layers were determined by integrating the training points with influential variables maps such as distance from the river, distance from the fault, land use, and extraction volume. The EBF model rate was calculated for different layer classes. For modeling, all rates of the EBF model in each cell were summated, and the ‎potential of land subsidence was calculated.‎ Finally, the map of land subsidence potential based on the EBF model was determined with GIS. The results showed that most of the subsidence points were located in alluvial sediment of the Holocene period, in areas with high groundwater harvesting, a distance of at least 3000 m from a river, a distance of at least 6000 m from a fault, low‐density rangelands, slopes of at least 0%–2%, and farmlands and gardens. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the EBF model showed that it could accurately predict land subsidence in 87.5% of cases using 30% of the validation data. This suggests that the model can be used for practical applications. Recommendations for Resource Managers: Most of the occurred subsidence points in the Bardaskan aquifer were located in the alluvial sediment of the Holocene period.Subsidence points were closely related to high groundwater harvesting, distance from a river and fault, low‐density rangelands, slopes, and farmlands and gardens.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated to be 87.5%, indicating that the evidential belief function model accurately predicts land subsidence in the studied area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, a combination of natural and human factors has led to the lack of cost-effective production, resulting in the downturn of traditional animal husbandry (DTLH) in rural regions. This research aims to investigate the factors contributing to the DTLH in indigenous communities in northwestern Iran. The statistical population consisted of pastoralists residing in the villages of Namin-Ardabil, Iran. The research method employed was descriptive-analytical, and a questionnaire was used as the data collection tool. The sample size was determined by selecting approximately 5–10% of households in each village, preferably the household head. Friedman's test was utilized to prioritize the most significant factors influencing DTLH. The findings reveals that the most crucial economic criteria contributing to the DTLH were "the high cost of providing inputs and fodder required for livestock (mean rank = 11.12)," "more economic opportunities and access to well-paying employment opportunities in the city (mean rank = 8.99)", and "low profit from livestock farming in the rangeland (mean rank = 10.60)". Moreover, the most important social criteria were "uncertainty regarding the future well-being of children and the social and economic situation in the village (mean rank = 14.12)", "motivation for academic and career development in urban areas (mean rank = 14.10)", and "access to specialized and professional training opportunities in cities (mean rank = 13.80)". Furthermore, the most crucial ecological criteria impacting the DTLH were "drought" (mean ran = 7.96)" and "non-implementation of range management plans and grazing permits" (mean rank = 6.07)". In general, the results indicated that the ecological criteria had the highest impact on the DTLH, followed by social and economic criteria, with values of 41.1%, 34.6%, and 24.29%, respectively. Overall, understanding the challenges faced by traditional livestock husbandry and identifying the factors contributing to its decline is crucial for developing effective strategies to support and sustain this industry in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Degradation from overgrazing of global arid rangelands is of significant concern for this widespread terrestrial ecosystem, and the people who rely on its sustainable use. Addressing this degradation requires a better understanding of how livestock removal and conservation management actions affect the rehabilitation of land condition. However, the dominant effect of climate and meteorological variability on arid vegetation makes isolating management‐induced change a difficult task. We present an analytically simple method for measuring relative land condition by assessing differences in remote‐sensing‐derived persistent fractional vegetation between adjacent stocked and destocked regions over time. The 22‐year observation period focusses on vegetation recovery at a long‐established sheep station after the removal of livestock and the introduction of conservation‐focussed management. The study region, in the southern Australian arid rangelands, comprises sparsely vegetated chenopod shrublands and acacia woodlands across low‐lying plains. Comparison is made to immediately surrounding stocked properties in a spatial design where climate and biogeographic variables remain consistent across the study area. We found an unequivocal relative increase in vegetation cover, and reduction of bare ground cover at the destocked property that became evident approximately 8 years after a reduction in grazing pressure. Distinctly higher persistent vegetation cover was maintained, even during periods of drought. Non‐photosynthetic vegetation cover was most indicative of long‐term change and increased by 1.1% relative to surrounding areas. Photosynthetic vegetation cover increased by 0.5%, while bare ground cover decreased by 2.1%. These cover changes, particularly in the non‐photosynthetic vegetation and bare ground components spatially coincide with the fenced boundary of the destocked property. Synthesis and applications: The ability to quantify management‐related impacts in land condition using freely available remote sensing data could support improved management by all stakeholders in these regions. The method leverages readily available satellite remote sensing data in a study design that is not dependent on large geospatial and climatic datasets that are not necessarily available in remote regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rangelands are natural ecosystems that serve as essential sources of forage for domesticated livestock and wildlife. Therefore, accurately mapping nutrient levels in rangelands is crucial for sustainable development and effective management of grazing animals. Remote sensing tools offer a reliable means to explore nutrient concentrations across large spatial areas. This study aimed to estimate and map seasonal foliar concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus, and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) in mesic tropical rangelands of Limpopo using Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, and the integration of S1 and S2 data. Fieldwork was conducted to collect samples for seasonal foliar nutrients (N, P, and NDF) during early-summer (November-January 2020), winter (July-August 2021), and late-summer (February-March 2022). Various conventional and red-edge-based vegetation indices were computed. The results demonstrate that integration data from S1 and S2 can effectively estimate and predict foliar concentrations of N, P, and NDF in mesic rangelands throughout the seasons, achieving R2 values of 0.76, 0.78, and 0.71, with corresponding RMSE values of 0.13, 0.04, and 2.52. Notably, red-edge variables emerged as the most significant parameters for predicting seasonal N, P, and NDF concentrations. Additionally, factors such as season and slope significantly influenced the distribution and occurrence of these foliage nutrients, with higher foliage production observed during late-summer and on steeper slopes. The study concludes that the integration of S1 and S2 data can effectively monitor the seasonal dynamics of biochemical parameters. This finding holds significant implications for policymakers and rangeland users, offering a comprehensive understanding of the intricate variations within rangeland ecosystems. Further research could expand on these findings by applying the knowledge to various datasets, exploring different rangelands, and examining additional ecological factors such as slope altitude to detect foliar fibre biochemicals. Finally, the applications of this research extend beyond individual properties, providing practical tools for sustainable rangeland management and informed decision-making in resource utilization and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dust transported from rangelands of the Southwestern United States (US) to mountain snowpack in the Upper Colorado River Basin during spring (March‐May) forces earlier and faster snowmelt, which creates problems for water resources and agriculture. To better understand the drivers of dust events, we investigated large‐scale meteorology responsible for organizing two Southwest US dust events from two different dominant geographic locations: (a) the Colorado Plateau and (b) the northern Chihuahuan Desert. High‐resolution Weather Research and Forecasting coupled with Chemistry model (WRF‐Chem) simulations with the Air Force Weather Agency dust emission scheme incorporating a MODIS albedo‐based drag‐partition was used to explore land surface‐atmosphere interactions driving two dust events. We identified commonalities in their meteorological setups. The meteorological analyses revealed that Polar and Sub‐tropical jet stream interaction was a common upper‐level meteorological feature before each of the two dust events. When the two jet streams merged, a strong northeast‐directed pressure gradient upstream and over the source areas resulted in strong near‐surface winds, which lifted available dust into the atmosphere. Concurrently, a strong mid‐tropospheric flow developed over the dust source areas, which transported dust to the San Juan Mountains and southern Colorado snowpack. The WRF‐Chem simulations reproduced both dust events, indicating that the simulations represented the dust sources that contributed to dust‐on‐snow events reasonably well. The representativeness of the simulated dust emission and transport in different geographic and meteorological conditions with our use of albedo‐based drag partition provides a basis for additional dust‐on‐snow simulations to assess the hydrologic impact in the Southwest US. Plain Language Summary: Dust transported from rangelands of the Southwestern United States (US) to the mountain snowpack in the Upper Colorado River Basin during spring (March–May) is a growing problem for water resources and agriculture. Understanding the drivers of dust events is essential to better forecast the possible impact of dust on water resources. We investigated the weather conditions that led to two dust events originating from the Colorado Plateau and northern Chihuahuan Desert. We also performed computer simulations with an improved dust emission model to explore the influence of vegetation on the susceptibility of landscapes to wind erosion during dust events. Our meteorological analysis revealed commonalities in the upper‐level meteorology before dust event formation and provided valuable insights into where and when high‐impact dust events may occur. However, further investigation is needed to generalize the impact of jet stream interaction on dust events' intensity. Our simulations represented the dust sources reasonably well by using an improved dust emission model. The improved dust emission and transport simulation under different meteorological and geographical conditions provided a basis for future dust‐on‐snow simulations to assess the hydrological impact in the Southwestern US. Key Points: Large‐scale meteorological analysis and dust emission and transport simulation of Southwest US dust‐on‐snow eventsPolar and Sub‐tropical jet stream interaction was a common upper‐level meteorological feature to Southwest US dust eventsSimulated dust source areas on the Colorado Plateau and Chihuahuan Desert reflect observed dust emission hot spots [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive accuracy of habitat suitability models, identifying the potential distribution range of Dorema ammoniacum, and its habitat requirements in the rangelands of Yazd province, central Iran. Bafgh, Mehriz and Nadoushan, were three habitats that were identified, and sampling was conducted in each habitat using a random-systematic method. A set of 10 plots were established (at equal distances) along 350 m long 18 transects. Soil samples (two depths: 0–30 and 30–60 cm from 36 profiles) were collected and measured in the laboratory. Elevation, slope, and aspect maps were derived, and climate information was collected from nearby meteorological stations. The habitat prediction of the species was modeled using Logistic Regression (LR), Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt), and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The Kappa coefficient and the area under the curve (AUC) were calculated to assess the accuracy of the forecasted maps. The LR model for habitat prediction of the studied species in Mehriz (K = 0.67) and Nadoushan (K = 0.56) habitats were identified as good. The MaxEnt model predicted the habitat distribution for the selected species in Bafgh and Mehriz habitats as excellent (K = 0.89, AUC = 0.76, K = 0.89, AUC = 0.98), and in the Nadoushan habitat as very good (K = 0.78, AUC = 0.85). However, the ANN model predicted Bafgh and Nadoushan habitats as excellent and Mehriz habitat as very good (K = 0.87, K = 0.90, and K = 0.63, respectively). In general, in order to protect species D. ammoniacum, the development of its habitats in other areas of Yazd province and the habitats under study in conservation programs should be given priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Woody plants are encroaching across terrestrial ecosystems globally, and this has dramatic effects on how these systems function and the livelihoods of producers who rely on the land to support livestock production. Consequently, the removal of woody plants is promoted widely in the belief that it will reinstate former grasslands or open savanna. Despite this popular management approach to encroachment, we still have a relatively poor understanding of the effects of removal on society, and of alternative management practices that could balance the competing needs of pastoral production, biodiversity conservation and cultural values. This information is essential for maintaining both ecological and societal benefits in encroached systems under predicted future climate changes. In this review, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of the social–ecological perspectives of woody encroachment based on recent studies and global meta‐analyses by assessing the ecological impacts of encroachment and its effects on sustainable development goals (SDGs) when woody plants are retained and when they are removed. We propose a working definition of woody encroachment based on species‐ and community‐level characteristics; such a definition is needed to evaluate accurately the effects of encroachment. We show that encroachment is a natural process of succession rather than a sign of degradation, with encroachment resulting in an overall 8% increase in ecosystem multifunctionality. Removing woody plants can increase herbaceous plant richness, biomass and cover, but at the expense of biocrust cover. The effectiveness of woody plant removal depends on plant identity, and where, when and how they are removed. Under current management practices, either removal or retention of woody plants can induce trade‐offs among ecosystem services, with no management practice maximising all SDGs [e.g. SDG2 (end hunger), SDG13 (climate change), SDG 15 (combat desertification)]. Given that encroachment of woody plants is likely to increase under future predicted hotter and drier climates, alternative management options such as carbon farming and ecotourism could be effective land uses for areas affected by encroachment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

World food supplies rely on pollination, making this plant–animal relationship a highly valued ecosystem service. Bees pollinate flowering plants in rangelands that constitute up to half of global terrestrial vegetation. Livestock grazing is the most widespread rangeland use and can affect insect pollinators through herbivory. We examined management effects on bee abundance and other insect pollinators on grazed and idle sagebrush rangelands in central Montana, USA. From 2016 to 2018, we sampled pollinators on lands enrolled in rest-rotation grazing, unenrolled grazing lands, and geographically separate idle lands without grazing for over a decade. Bare ground covered twice as much area (15% vs. 7) with half the litter (12% vs. 24) on grazed than idle regardless of enrollment. Bee pollinators were 2–3 times more prevalent in grazed than idle in 2016–2017. In 2018, bees were similar among grazed and idled during an unseasonably wet and cool summer that depressed pollinator catches; captures of secondary pollinators was similar among treatments 2 of 3 study years. Ground-nesting bees (94.6% of total bee abundance) were driven by periodic grazing that maintained bare ground and kept litter accumulations in check. In contrast, idle provided fewer nesting opportunities for bees that were mostly solitary, ground-nesting genera requiring unvegetated spaces for reproduction. Managed lands supported higher bee abundance that evolved with bison grazing on the eastern edge of the sagebrush ecosystem. Our findings suggest that periodic disturbance may enhance pollinator habitat, and that rangelands may benefit from periodic grazing by livestock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Environmental managers require reliable and cost‐efficient monitoring methods for effective decision‐making. Understanding forage availability is important for managing wild, vertebrate herbivore populations. We developed a process for exploring the accuracy and cost efficiency of various biomass estimation techniques for a case study where semi‐arid woodland restoration is threatened by kangaroo grazing, with the aim of determining which method was most fit for purpose in a given decision context. Location: Wyperfeld National Park, southeastern Australia. Methods: Grass biomass was estimated using a variety of methods, then compared to clipped biomass using linear models. Biomass estimation methods were either field‐based (i.e., rising plate meter, multispectral radiometer) or satellite‐based (i.e., Landsat satellite imagery, AussieGRASS forage production model). Sampling occurred across open and wooded semi‐arid vegetation types. We compared methods based on accuracy, the ability of each method to accurately predict a 'forage‐switch' threshold, cost, and the suitability for the management context. Results: For this case study, the multispectral radiometer was the most precise, yet most expensive, biomass estimation method over a single survey. However, satellite imagery proved to be the most cost‐efficient and fit for purpose, as it was inexpensive and most accurately estimated biomass around a forage‐switch threshold, second only to the multispectral radiometer. Accuracy of all methods was improved by including tree cover in the regression models. Conclusions: We demonstrate a process for exploring which biomass estimation tool might be preferred for a given decision context, highlighting accuracy, consideration of tolerance to uncertainty and risk, the spatial and temporal scale of information required, and budget constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage‐grouse) populations in the western United States have declined, necessitating conservation efforts. The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and livestock producers implemented the Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) to improve sage‐grouse habitat using regional‐specific management actions such as rotational grazing. We assessed the effect of SGI grazing management, the influence of brood female and chick morphometric traits, and multiple environmental and anthropogenic disturbance factors on chick mortality risk in a sage‐grouse population in central Montana, USA, from 2011–2019. We used a Kaplan‐Meier survival function to evaluate chick survival, Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate chick mortality risk as a function of brood female and chick morphometric traits, and the Andersen‐Gill formulation of the Cox proportional hazards model to assess the effects of time‐dependent habitat characteristics on chick mortality risk. Survival to 45 days post‐hatch for 510 chicks varied annually from 0.26 ± 0.07 (SE) to 0.69 ± 0.07. The 45‐day survival rate for all years combined was 0.51 ± 0.03. Chick mortality risk was not affected by changes in livestock grazing management implemented through the SGI grazing program. Brood female age and body condition, sex of chicks, vegetation, and anthropogenic variables were also unassociated with chick mortality risk. There were small protective effects of chick mass adjusted for age and mean minimum monthly temperature; greater chick mass and lower monthly temperatures correlated with reduced mortality risk. Overall, our study suggests the SGI grazing program does not confer additional benefits to sage‐grouse chicks beyond existing grazing practices. Incentivizing grazing practices that adhere to fundamental principles of rangeland ecology and maintain intact rangelands may be more effective than specific prescribed grazing systems for sage‐grouse conservation in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the impacts of the land use/cover (LULC) and climate changes on the runoff and sediment flows in the Megech watershed. The Geospatial Water Erosion Prediction Project (GeoWEPP) was used to assess LULC and climate changes' impact on runoff, soil loss, and sediment yield. The QGIS 2.16.3 plugin module for land use change evaluation (MOLUSCE) tool with the cellular automata artificial neural network (CA-ANN) was used for LULC prediction based on historical data and exploratory maps. Two commonly used representative concentration pathways (RCPs)—4.5 and 8.5—were used for climate projection in the 2030s, 2050s, and 2070s. The LULC prediction analysis showed an expansion of cropland and settlement areas, with the reduction in the forest and rangelands. The climate projections indicated an increase in maximum temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, particularly with increased wet months and reduced dry periods. The average annual soil loss and sediment yield rates were estimated to increase under both the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate scenarios, with a more noticeable increase under RCP8.5. By integrating DEM, soil, land use, and climate data, we evaluated runoff, soil loss, and sediment yield changes on only land use/cover, only climate, and the combined impacts in the watershed. The results revealed that, under all combined scenarios, the sediment yield in the Megech Reservoir was projected to substantially increase by 23.28–41.01%, showing a potential loss of reservoir capacity. This study recommends strong climate adaptation and mitigation measures to alleviate the impact on land and water resources. It is possible to lessen the combined impacts of climate and LULC change through implementing best-management practices and adaptation strategies for the identified scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rangeland ecosystems in the western United States are vulnerable to climate change, fire, and anthropogenic disturbances, yet classification of rangeland areas remains difficult due to frequently sparse vegetation canopies that increase the influence of soils and senesced vegetation, the overall abundance of senesced vegetation, heterogeneity of life forms, and limited ground-based data. The Rangeland Condition Monitoring Assessment and Projection (RCMAP) project provides fractional vegetation cover maps across western North America using Landsat imagery and artificial intelligence from 1985 to 2023 at yearly time-steps. The objectives of this case study are to apply hyperspectral data from several new data streams, including Sentinel Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT), to the RCMAP model. We run a series of five tests (Landsat-base model, base + SAR, base + EMIT, base + SAR + EMIT, and base + Landsat NEXT [LNEXT] synthesized from EMIT) over a difficult-to-classify region centered in southwest Montana, USA. Our testing results indicate a clear accuracy benefit of adding SAR and EMIT data to the RCMAP model, with a 7.5% and 29% relative increase in independent accuracy (R2), respectively. The ability of SAR data to observe vegetation height allows for more accurate classification of vegetation types, whereas EMIT's continuous characterization of the spectral response boosts discriminatory power relative to multispectral data. Our spectral profile analysis reveals the enhanced classification power with EMIT is related to both the improved spectral resolution and representation of the entire domain as compared to legacy Landsat. One key finding is that legacy Landsat bands largely miss portions of the electromagnetic spectrum where separation among important rangeland targets exists, namely in the 900–1250 nm and 1500–1780 nm range. Synthesized LNEXT data include these gaps, but the reduced spectral resolution compared to EMIT results in an intermediate 18% increase in accuracy relative to the base run. Here, we show the promise of enhanced classification accuracy using EMIT data, and to a smaller extent, SAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although seedling has a significant role in the maintenance of plant diversity, productivity, and biochemical cycles in the rangeland. However, little is known about the influence of environmental factors in the seedling establishment, as well as the differences in the morphological development among species. To understand of seedlings establishment becomes of crucial importance to improve the success of reseeding of natural ecosystems. This literature review investigated which factors are addressed with failures in the seedling establishment of native grasses in rangeland conditions. Germinating seed grass is not big a problem if there are optimum environmental conditions. The heart of the matter is to ensure the survival and growth of these seedlings until the complete establishment as plant. The moisture and temperature of soil are the main environmental factors associated with failures in seedling establishment. The studies reviewed showed that annual plants have higher seedling growth rates, however lower allocation to reproductive structures when compared to mid-seral and late successional plants. These differences also promote different rates of seedling survival rate, with early seral grass showing higher rates than late seral. Apparently, the main cause of seedlings failures in the establishment is correlated with the development and extension of the adventitious roots. Where the reports describe that seedling emerge quickly and abundantly in most grasses, but the seedlings died between six and ten weeks of age. It was addressed that a plant can germinate and sprout the primary roots, however, for an unknown reason the plant does not sprout the adventitious root. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the vegetation production changes in Khuzestan province, Iran using MODIS data production, meteorological data, vegetation maps as well as topographic and field monitoring data in CASA model. The study area was divided into different climatic classes based on multivariate statistical method, so the vegetation of each climatic region was examined separately for changes in NPP values. Production changes due to degradation were calculated using the Miami model and subsequently, the rain use efficiency (RUE) and the light use efficiency (LUE) and correlation indices between the CASA model and ground data were determined. The results of this study (R2) showed that the accuracy of this model varies depending on the type of climatic regions (R2 = 0.80 to R2 = 0.15). In different climatic regions, the rate of NPP changes (very humid 68 gC/m2 to ultra-dry 15 gC/m2) varies in rangeland types. The highest rate of vegetation production is observed seasonally in May. Degradation conditions also reduced RUE and LUE. However, in hyper-arid regions, adaptations of plants in some different species (Hammada Spp.) increase their efficiency compared to other vegetation types. The results showed the importance of vegetation and climate classification in vegetation production studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a compilation of scientific articles and publications by various researchers, including William Richard John Dean, on topics related to African ornithology, bird behavior, ant ecology, and ecosystems in southern Africa. The articles cover a wide range of subjects such as bird distribution, breeding behavior, habitat preferences, and the effects of environmental factors on ecosystems. They provide valuable insights into bird ecology, conservation, and the ecological dynamics of different regions in southern Africa, including the Karoo. These articles would be beneficial for library patrons conducting research on bird species, ecology, and conservation in southern Africa. [Extracted from the article]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exclusion (20 years) on the attributes of soil and vegetation in northwest of Iran. Three sites in grazed and three sites in exclusion areas were selected. At each site, three 100 m transects were established for sampling purposes. Soil attributes, including electrical conductivity, pH, calcium carbonate, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, clay, silt, calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate were measured in the lab. Additionally, the primary and secondary attributes of vegetation including density, canopy cover, aboveground net primary production (ANPP) of plant functional types (PFTs), diversity, richness and evenness indices were recorded. The findings of our study indicate that the exclusion site exhibited significantly higher levels of soil organic carbon (1.91%), total nitrogen (0.95%), available phosphorus (1.75 ppm), and soluble potassium (163.52 ppm) compared to the grazed site. However, no significant differences were observed in other soil characteristics between the two sites. Density, canopy cover percentage, ANPP of PFTs (p <.01), diversity (1.92), and richness index (9.64), were higher in the exclusion area (p <.05), while, evenness showed no significant difference. The total species density and canopy cover within the exclusion area were also found to be higher than in grazed areas. Results suggest that exclusion in semi-arid semi-steppes plays an important role in rangeland management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subsistence farmers in elephant rangelands suffer food insecurity, economic losses and emotional stress from crop damage by elephants, resulting in reduced local support toward elephant conservation. To foster human-elephant co-existence in a dynamic social-ecological system, we explored the validity of Classification Tree (CT) analysis application to identify human-elephant hotspots in an effort to target approaches to reduce human-elephant conflicts. The CT analysis revealed that the most important factors affecting occurrence of crop damage were crop types, field sizes and distance to nearest road and river. From CT generated thresholds, we propose establishment of multi-criteria-based risk zones, as an alternative approach, to quickly identify and prioritize future human-elephant conflict (HEC) hotspots for improved agrarian livelihood and elephant conservation outcomes. We also explained the limitations of CT models. This study contributes to the existing theory and body of work on elephant habitat use at the human-elephant interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rangelands are the dominant land use across a broad swath of central North America where they span a wide gradient, from <350 to >900 mm, in mean annual precipitation. Substantial efforts have examined temporal and spatial variation in aboveground net primary production (ANPP) to precipitation (PPT) across this gradient. In contrast, net secondary productivity (NSP, e.g., primary consumer production) has not been evaluated analogously. However, livestock production, which is a form of NSP or primary consumer production supported by primary production, is the dominant non‐cultivated land use and an integral economic driver in these regions. Here, we used long‐term (mean length = 19 years) ANPP and NSP data from six research sites across the Central Great Plains with a history of a conservative stocking to determine resource (i.e., PPT)–productivity relationships, NSP sensitivities to dry‐year precipitation, and regional trophic efficiencies (e.g., NSP:ANPP ratio). PPT–ANPP relationships were linear for both temporal (site‐based) and spatial (among site) gradients. The spatial PPT–NSP model revealed that PPT mediated a saturating relationship for NSP as sites became more mesic, a finding that contrasts with many plant‐based PPT–ANPP relationships. A saturating response to high growing‐season precipitation suggests biogeochemical rather than vegetation growth constraints may govern NSP (i.e., large herbivore production). Differential sensitivity in NSP to dry years demonstrated that the primary consumer production response heightened as sites became more xeric. Although sensitivity generally decreased with increasing precipitation as predicted from known PPT–ANPP relationships, evidence suggests that the dominant species' identity and traits influenced secondary production efficiency. Non‐native northern mixed‐grass prairie was outperformed by native Central Great Plains rangeland in sensitivity to dry years and efficiency in converting ANPP to NSP. A more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms leading to differences in producer and consumer responses will require multisite experiments to assess biotic and abiotic determinants of multi‐trophic level efficiency and sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]