The fencing paradigm in woodland conservation: consequences for recruitment of a semi‐arid tree

摘要: Question How does long-term fencing against large domestic herbivores affect regeneration of the dominant tree, Prosopis flexuosa, and hence structure semi-arid woodlands? Location Woodlands in Central Monte Desert biome Argentina, Nacunan Man Biosphere Reserve area (34° 20′ S, 67° 58′ W) surrounding cattle-grazed ranches. Methods We compared seedling emergence survival, spatial distribution seedlings saplings, population stage-based P. flexuosa between paired sites inside outside (Argentina), which has been fenced to exclude cattle for ca. 40 yr. Results Reserve had lower tree recruitment emergence, spite having greater seed production survival. Outside reserve, survival was higher high-density clumps than isolated seedlings. Seedling occurred mostly near adult individuals, where dung abundant, suggesting an effect on dispersal. The balance effects exclusion reflected stage woodlands, as populations at were dominated by whereas those areas presented proportions saplings. Conclusion Fencing is a common practice used worldwide conservation from human disturbance. For example, it assumed that disturbed woodlands may recover after fencing, thanks increased herbivores. However, actual effectiveness tool forest overgrazed environments could be controversial because sequential during cycle hamper predictions overall process. Our results suggest dispersal influences positive compensate negative sapling Future management should consider closely related land use, not necessarily guarantee woodland recovery long term.