Changes in vegetation composition and structure following livestock exclusion in a temperate fluvial wetland

摘要: QUESTIONS: Responses of wetland systems to grazing can be highly variable with both positive or negative responses. However, the sustainable use wetlands for will depend on management implemented and resilience each type them. In this context, we addressed question: vegetation in studied able recover its structural functional parameters short term after livestock exclusion? LOCATION: Temperate fluvial middle Delta Parana River, Argentina, South America. METHODS: We evaluated effect cattle ranching composition diversity by determining changes species richness evenness, biomass (green dry vegetative, reproductive biomass), litter content. also analyzed weeds according their forage quality, toxicity, growth form. applied a randomized block design (by topographic position) repeated measures over time, using exclusion as treatment. RESULTS: After 16 months, affected richness, but did not have significant due slightly compensatory evenness. Species differed markedly among treatments time. There was an increase green vegetative content eight months exclusion, while occurred later. The these variables closely related erect habit good quality. CONCLUSIONS: Livestock increased value development natural palatable typical environments. This shift promoted higher production ungrazed areas. suggests remarkable recovery communities (two years).