Management of Grazing Intensity in the Semi‐Arid Rangelands of Southern Australia: Effects on Soil and Biodiversity

摘要: Overgrazing contributes to rangeland degradation altering plant community composition, erosion and biodiversity. Little unanimity in the literature exists on effects of livestock grazing soil carbon biodiversity, part, due uncontrolled pressure from native feral animals. Paired paddock contrasts at three, long-term (>8 years) study locations southern Australian rangelands were used examine managing intensity through use exclusion fencing rotational organic (SOC), nitrogen (TN), ground cover biodiversity (flora invertebrates). Grazing management had no effect SOC or TN grey soils (Vertisols), but for red (Lixisols), significantly higher levels found both 0 5 10-cm depths (0·3% 0·27% respectively) associated with increased TN. We strong consistent relationships among perennial (p < 0·001), litter (p < 0·05) close proximity trees (p < 0·05). Managing resulted (p < 0·001) Vertisols (8·9 11%) Lixisols (12·5 15%) diversity (both exotic) negatively impacted invertebrate diversity, indicating trade-offs between production resources. provide evidence that are mediated by matter supply and/or reduced redistribution (erosion), which indicates may a tool avoid loss rangelands. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.