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Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge is located in Oregon. The majority of riparian areas in the refuge are located in the western half of the refuge. The 64 photo plots were well distributed along a north-south axis but were limited to riparian areas that historical photos captured. Background map ÓOpenStreetMap contributors http://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright
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We assessed the effects of the elimination of livestock in riparian systems at Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge in southeastern Oregon, 23 years after the removal of cattle grazing, using 64 photos taken before grazing was removed compared with later retake photos. Two methods were used for this assessment: (1) a qualitative visual method com...
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Context 1
... study was conducted at Hart Mountain National An- telope Refuge (see Fig. 1 for location) which is adminis- tered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Environmental Management encompasses 1,095 km 2 of high desert in the Northern Basin and Range Ecoregion in southeastern Oregon (Omernik 1987). The refuge was established in 1936 for the protection of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana). Over time, ...
Context 2
... Flat Wetlands, Goat Creek, and Warner Ponds. Retake photos were taken during the same season as his- torical photos. Sixty-four of the 110 photo sites were used for analysis (Fig. 1). Forty-six photo pairs were eliminated for one of three reasons: (1) multiple photos of the same geomorphic feature, (2) the photos did not have a clear foreground focus and were instead a broader landscape view, or (3) photo location could not be accurately deter- mined using the original ...
Citations
... These scenarios could also disrupt the ecological function of wetlands, such as the Pantanal and the Paraná River wetlands. The mitigation of these anthropic activities may be all that is required to conserve and restore many degraded wetlands (Batchelor et al. 2015, Rodríguez-Arias et al. 2018. It is also necessary to deep on the study of other indicators of the consequences of fires in wetlands, such as the high CO2 emissions that these events produce. ...
Fire caused by man in South America is one of the most concerning environmental catastrophes, due to its potential impacts on global climate change. The aim of the present study was to determine the immediate effects of man-made fires on both the soil and the diversity of vascular plants and vertebrates present in the wetlands of the Paraná River (Argentina) during 2020, with emphasis on the perspectives of restoration in the short-term. In particular, we measured the depth of burning and listed the vascular plant and vertebrate species that were burned. We also collected field data of plant species by in situ observation (affected species, vegetal configuration, flam height on wood) and data on vertebrate species by visual encounter Oecologia Australis (ISSN: 2177-6199) Ahead of print (https://revistas.ufrj.br/index.php/oa/issue/view/1109/showToc) Article ID: AO#53463 Published online: 06 April 2023 2 surveys. Species that could not be determined in situ were recorded by photographs for later identification in the laboratory. We also determined the difference normalized burn ratio (dNBR) and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) before and after the fire event. The soil burned at a depth of 2-12 cm, whereas the flame heights ranged from 2.70 to 4.20 m due to the presence of woody species. At least, total of 46 plant and 39 vertebrate species were affected by fires. The dNBR index showed moderate (17.64%) to high (52.94%) burn severity. The NDVI values decreased by half compared to the values recorded in the control images immediately after the fire and showed low medium-term revegetation after three to four months. Since man-made fires in wetlands are likely to increase due to climate change in the coming years, there is an urgent need for legislation to regulate the conservation and restoration of these ecosystems.
... Feral pigs are considered detrimental to Texas ecosystems (TPWD 2012) and livestock grazing has affected almost all riparian areas in the state and is considered one of the most significant disturbances affecting them (Nelle 2015). Removal of cattle from riparian areas in the Northwestern Great Basin resulted in dramatically increased coverage in riparian vegetation (Batchelor et al. 2015;Jones et al. 2022). One instance of beneficial impacts reported for cattle grazing was that ephemeral wetland diversity increased with cattle grazing, which removed exotic grasses from the wetlands (Marty 2005). ...
We analyzed the near-riparian zone along the Colorado River in the Lampasas Cut Plain (LCP) of Texas at Colorado Bend State Park (CBSP) as well as private property at Regency, Texas and described species composition and structure of vegetation. Both of these sites had not been grazed by cattle in decades and we compared it to Timberlake Biological Station (TBS), where grazing has occurred for decades, but ended in 2021 as well as creek side vegetation reported from the Blackland Prairie (BP). Our analysis was conducted to provide baseline knowledge on the natural vegetation of this near-riparian zone that has only been examined from Texas in the LCP ecoregion at TBS and the adjacent BP ecoregion. The near-riparian zone of the two sites in this investigation were different from each other with the state park site more similar to TBS and both being less diverse than similar ecosystems reported from the BP. At CBSP the near-riparian zone was comprised of three vegetational layers: 1) upper-canopy of trees including mainly cedar elm (Ulmus crassifolia) 2) under-canopy of the lianas saw greenbriar (Smilax bona-nox) and poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), the fern ally scouring-rush (Equisetum hyemale) as well as both annual and perennial grasses and forbs. Dominant grasses and sedges at CBSP included switch grass (Panicum virgatum), broad-leaf woodoats (Chasmanthium latifolium), and Emory's caric sedge (Carex emoryi). The dominant forb at CBSP was knotweed (Polygonum sp.). At Regency, the near-riparian zone was comprised of three vegetational layers: 1) upper-canopy of trees including mainly sugarberry (Celtis laevigata) 2) under-canopy of saw greenbriar (Smilax bona-nox) as well as both annual and perennial grasses and forbs. At Regency, the near-riparian was dominated by introduced Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) and Emory's caric sedge. The dominant forb at Regency was spiny-aster (Chloracantha spinosa). CBSP was richer, more even, and had higher Shannon-Weiner Diversity in its woody species but had a similar Shannon-Weiner Diversity value to Regency in their herbaceous species. The near-riparian region was about the same as the bottomland diversity at TBS and on the Bosque River, near Stephenville, Texas. Diversity was lower than that reported in riparian areas of the adjacent BP. The diversity, of these near-riparian sites being higher than bottomland forests from the region, likely reflects the dynamic nature of these ecosystems due to hydrological disturbance and the chance-events of dispersal and successful establishment of plants in this changing environment. Published online www.phytologia.org Phytologia 105(1): 1-14 (March 21, 2023). ISSN 030319430. KEY WORDS: Near-riparian forest, Colorado River, Lampasas Cut Plain, Plant community ecology Bottomland forests and their associated near-riparian zones are some of the most widely distributed, species-rich, and productive communities throughout southern regions of North America (Braun 1964;
... Both livestock and horses graze plants that are preferred by native herbivores because of their higher nutritional content (Hanley & Hanley, 1982;Scasta et al., 2016;Veblen et al., 2015). Livestock and horses also cause physical damage to riparian areas (Batchelor et al., 2015;Beever & Herrick, 2006;Beschta et al., 2014;Boyd et al., 2017;Dobkin et al., 1998), which provide essential foods and water during dry periods in the cold deserts of western North America (Batzer & Baldwin, 2012;Donnelly et al., 2018). Soil trappling and compaction can occur from overuse, negatively affecting ecosystem processes (Beever & Herrick, 2006;Byrnes et al., 2018). ...
Non‐native ungulate grazing has negatively impacted native species across the globe, leading to massive loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Despite their pervasiveness, interactions between non‐native grazers and native species are not fully understood. We often observe declines in demography or survival of these native species, but lack understanding about the mechanisms underlying these declines. Physiological stress represents one mechanism of (mal)adaptation, but data are sparse. We investigated glucocorticoid levels in a native avian herbivore exposed to different intensities of non‐native grazing in the cold desert Great Basin ecosystem, USA. We measured corticosterone, a glucocorticoid in feathers for a large sample (n = 280) of female greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) from three study areas in Northern Nevada and Southern Oregon with different grazing regimes of livestock and feral horses. We found that greater feral horse density was associated with higher corticosterone levels, and this effect was exacerbated by drought conditions. Livestock grazing produced similar results; however, there was more model uncertainty about the livestock effect. Subsequent nesting success was lower with increased feather corticosterone, but corticosterone levels were not predictive of other vital rates. Our results indicate a physiological response by sage‐grouse to grazing pressure from non‐native grazers. We found substantial among‐individual variation in the strength of the response. These adverse effects were intensified during unfavorable weather events, highlighting the need to reevaluate management strategies in the face of climate change. Understanding the mechanisms behind the influence of non‐native species on Greater Sage‐grouse may help us mitigate population declines. We found that feral horses, domestic cattle and drought conditions increase physiological stress, as measured by feather corticosterone.
... The gradient of streamside vegetation along healthy streams promotes biodiversity and can help regulate water flow and stream temperature (Richardson et al., 2007;González et al., 2017). However, long-term human disturbance (e.g., roads, splash dams, railroad logging; Jones et al., 2001;Roni et al., 2002;Olson et al., 2007), grazing by domestic livestock (Beschta et al., 2013;Batchelor et al., 2015;Kaweck et al., 2018), and occasionally excessive herbivory by native ungulates, including Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus; Schoenecker et al., 2004;Averett et al., 2017), have collectively degraded riparian areas (Case and Kauffman, 1997;Pollock et al., 2007). ...
There is a growing interest and investment in restoring riparian areas in the Pacific Northwest to protect biodiversity and water quality, and to restore quality habitat for threatened fish species. However, these management activities change vegetation conditions and potentially impact terrestrial species in these ecosystems. Our objective was to estimate associations between small mammals and 4 broad cover types - conifers, shrubs, grasses, and forbs - in riparian areas within the Blue Mountains of northeast Oregon, USA. We estimated abundances and spatial association for 10 small mammal species using a multispecies hierarchical abundance model and mark-recapture data collected on 36 sites from 2014 to 2017. We predicted that forest-associated species would be more abundant with greater conifer cover, that increases in shrub cover would favor most species, and that increases in grass and forb cover would favor grassland-associated species. Yellow-pine chipmunks (Tamias amoenus) were positively associated with conifer cover, while long-tailed voles (Microtus long-icaudus) and montane voles (Microtus montanus) were negatively associated with conifer cover. Associations with shrub cover were positive for bushy-tailed woodrats (Neotoma cinerea), deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), and yellow-pine chipmunks, but negative for montane voles. Bushy-tailed woodrats and montane voles were negatively associated with grass cover. This study is the first to characterize the riparian small mammal communities in this region and provides insights on the effects of restoration activities on riparian ecosystems in dry interior forests and grasslands. We suggest that riparian plantings, a ubiquitous restoration practice, will increase the relative abundances for some, but not all, small mammal species. We also demonstrate use of a new multi-species abundance model that can be a powerful tool for analyzing mark-recapture data because it allowed us to extend the scope of our analysis to data poor species by pooling information with data rich species.
... Kauffman et al. [24] suggested the first logical step in riparian restoration is the implementation of "passive restoration" defined as the cessation of those activities that are causing ecosystem degradation or preventing recovery. Cessation of livestock grazing via exclusion fencing along salmonid bearing streams has been a common passive restoration approach to fish and wildlife habitat restoration in the Interior Colombia Basin of Oregon and Washington. ...
... Because the vegetation of riparian zones is adapted to frequent fluvial disturbances, many species possess adaptations facilitating a rapid recovery following both natural and anthropogenic disturbances [7,24]. ...
... Passive restoration is defined as the halting of those activities that are causing degradation or preventing recovery [24]. Reviews of many in-stream restoration and enhancement projects throughout the western U.S. clearly reveal that passive restoration, especially the cessation of livestock grazing was the critical first step in successful riparian restoration programs [17,18,20,21,35]. ...
Riparian ecosystem restoration has been accomplished through exclusion of livestock using corridor fencing along hundreds of kilometers of streams in the western United States, for the benefit of riparian-obligate wildlife and endangered fishes. Yet, there are limited scientific studies that have evaluated more than short-term shifts in vegetation composition and diversity at a single location or handful of locations following grazing. We sampled riparian vegetation composition along 11-paired grazed and ungrazed (exclosed) stream reaches in northeastern Oregon. Exclosure ages ranged from 2 to >30 years and grazing treatments varied from light grazing every one out of three years to heavy season-long grazing. Species richness and diversity was higher in the ungrazed reaches (p = 0.002). The abundance of native sedges ( Carex spp.) and broad-leaved forbs were also significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater in ungrazed areas. In contrast, exotic species adapted to grazing such as Poa pratensis and Trifolium repens were more abundant in grazed stream reaches. The prevalence of hydrophytic species significantly increased (p ≤ 0.01) in ungrazed reaches, (based on wetland species indicator scores), indicating that wetland-dominated communities within the ungrazed stream reaches were replacing ones adapted to drier environments. The increased abundance of facultative and wetland-obligate species in ungrazed reaches compared to grazed reaches suggests that livestock grazing exacerbates those climate change effects also leading to warmer and drier conditions. Further, riparian-obligate shrub cover along the streambank was higher in 7 of 8 exclosures that were older than 5 years (p = 0.05). As a restoration approach, the inherent resilience of riparian ecosystems exhibited in ungrazed riparian zones suggest positive feedbacks to other beneficial ecosystem processes such as increased species and habitat diversity, increased carbon sequestration, enhanced allochthonous inputs and greater sediment retention, that would affect the aquatic and terrestrial biota, water quality, and stream morphology.
... The clear negative soil, vegetation and water quality impacts of introducing livestock grazing to waterways and riparian zones are generally coupled with an expectation that the reduction or removal of livestock grazing will have positive impacts (Lunt et al., 2007a;Batchelor et al., 2015;Jones and Vesk, 2016). On the other hand, after a long history of grazing, cessation comes with its own risks, such as release of invasive species from herbivore control (Porensky et al., 2020) or the potential to increase fire risk (Dwire and Kauffman, 2003;Pettit and Naiman, 2007). ...
... Riparian vegetation is negatively affected by livestock grazing in many systems globally. While there has been large investment in riparian restoration in recent years, the impacts of grazing removal and land protection on different vegetation life-forms is not well documented (but see Batchelor et al. (2015) and Nusslé et al. (2017). This is particularly important for the understanding of trends in species composition and relative abundance of native and exotic (or desirable and undesirable) species under grazing removal. ...
... Previous studies corroborate the higher cover of native shrubs (Pettit et al., 1995;Dorrough and Scroggie, 2008), and native tufted graminoids without grazing (Wilson, 1990;Milchunas and Lauenroth, 1993;Fensham et al., 1999), which are major components of the native structural composition of this study system. These were coupled with the reduction in bare ground that has been shown to decline significantly following grazing exclusion (Batchelor et al., 2015). These results are encouraging but the relatively small magnitudes of difference observed in this study suggest that recovery durations can be slow in drier landscapes, which is supported by Nusslé et al. (2017). ...
Livestock grazing in riparian areas has significant impacts on waterway ecosystems. In Australia, livestock grazing is allowed on many public waterway frontages under long-term licences. Many barriers to removing or restricting grazing on riparian areas exist, including concerns that removing grazing from historically grazed sites may favour invasive plant species. We compared vegetation changes at 180 sites along three connected waterways in northern Victoria, Australia that had been extensively grazed by livestock under grazing licences. Some of these sites were permanently protected from grazing by the creation of a new public park and reserve system in 2002. We compared vegetation attributes between sites in the ungrazed reserves, to sites outside reserves that were either recently grazed or ungrazed in 2009. Importantly, we used a sampling design and statistical models that explicitly incorporated the proximity to the waterway to account for known resource and disturbance gradients. Broad site condition assessments that were conducted on the exact same sites prior to reservation provided an indication of pre-treatment condition attributes. Despite no clear evidence of having more or less native vegetation prior to reservation, reserved sites had more native vegetation cover across a range of different life-form types than unreserved sites. Reserved sites also had much less bare ground, and this effect was far greater closer to the waterway margin. Livestock grazing within reserves reduced these perceived benefits for native vegetation and bare ground. However, reserved sites also had a higher cover of exotic graminoids, but not herbs. This study suggests that reservation of stream frontages was beneficial to native vegetation condition within the study systems even if grazing persisted. Livestock grazing was effective at reducing exotic vegetation cover but at the cost of native vegetation and ground condition. Many factors may influence outcomes and we expect these responses to differ in more productive landscapes or in periods with greater rainfall, so quantitative monitoring is advisable. Evaluation of cost-benefit trade-offs for the environment, graziers, and social and cultural objectives will be important to guide reservation decisions.
... Pasture in the transition zone of the southeastern United States is typically composed of a mix of nonnative grasses, potentially providing less suitable habitat for native wildlife than natural grassland (Barnes et al. 1995;Sanderson et al. 2012). Cattle can affect wetland habitats by eroding shorelines, grazing emergent vegetation, and depositing nitrogenous waste (Knapp and Matthews 1996;Schmutzer et al. 2008;Batchelor et al. 2015); these impacts have been implicated in reducing reproductive success and survival of some aquatic-breeding amphibians (Jansen and Healey 2003;Knutson et al. 2004;Burton et al. 2009). However, reduction of emergent vegetation and soil compaction from well-managed grazing can be a key component to maintaining appropriate hydroperiods for some amphibian species (Murphy et al. 2003;Pyke and Marty 2005;Buckley et al. 2014;Mester et al. 2015). ...
Intensification and expansion of agriculture is one of the most pressing concerns for biodiversity conservation. Amphibian and reptile communities can be particularly sensitive to land-use change; therefore, understanding how land use and agricultural practices influence these communities in areas under increasing agricultural pressure is prudent. Over 10 yr, we sampled amphibian and reptile communities in and around 18 man-made ponds set within an agricultural/forest matrix on a military installation in western Tennessee. Ponds had either cattle access or were cattle restricted and had different surrounding land uses (forest, pasture, row crops, and industrial development). We used Akaike information criterion, corrected (AIC c), model selection and nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) to assess how land-cover and pond characteristics influence amphibian and reptile richness, diversity, and community structure. Our results indicate that, despite reduced water quality, amphibian diversity was higher in ponds with cattle access, though this is likely influenced by surrounding forest, pasture, and row-crop cover. Pond permanence was important in shaping amphibian community structure and is a key factor in determining amphibian richness. We did not find any link between land cover and cattle access on reptile richness or diversity, though reptile community structure was influenced by cattle access, pasture, and row-crop cover.
... Feral pigs are considered detrimental to Texas ecosystems (TPWD 2012) and livestock grazing has affected almost all riparian areas in the state and is considered one of the most significant disturbances affecting them (Nelle 2015). Removal of cattle from riparian areas in the Northwestern Great Basin resulted in dramatically increased coverage in riparian vegetation (Batchelor et al. 2015). Nelle (2005a;2005b) concluded that heavy grazing, watering, and loafing by cattle damages riparian vegetation, generally leading to destabilized river banks. ...
We analyzed the near-riparian zone along the Colorado River in the Lampasas Cut Plain (LCP) of Texas at Timberlake Biological Station (TBS) and described species composition and structure of vegetation. Our analysis was conducted to provide baseline knowledge on the natural vegetation of this near-riparian zone that has only been examined from North Texas in the Piney Woods ecoregion. The near-riparian zone of TBS was comprised of three vegetational layers: 1) upper canopy of trees including mainly green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) and about equal amounts of cedar elm (Ulmus crassifolia) and American elm (U. americana) 2) under canopy of the liana saw greenbriar (Smilax bona-nox) as well as both annual and perennial grasses and forbs. Green ash was the dominant tree and saw greenbriar and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) were the only two lianas. Dominant grasses and sedges included Canada wildrye (Elymus canadensis), switch grass (Panicum virgatum) and William Emory's caric sedge (Carex emoryi). The dominant forb was Spiny-aster (Chloracantha spinosa). In addition, beaver damaged fewer trees in the near-riparian of the Colorado River and diversity was lower compared to a near-riparian zone in the Piney Woods and compared to bottomlands found in the West Cross Timbers ecoregion of Texas.
... Consequently, the graminoid species in the understory of arid shrublands are more sensitive to repeated herbivory by large introduced grazers, feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) and cattle (Bos taurus; Mack and Thompson, 1982). Mismanagement of both feral horse and cattle grazing can negatively affect arid shrubland ecosystems (e.g., Kauffman et al., 1983;Batchelor et al., 2015;Davies and Boyd 2019), necessitating informed and careful decision-making when managing either species. While livestock on public rangelands in the United States are managed under a federal permitting system to optimize the timing, intensity, and duration of use to maintain ecosystem functions, horse grazing management is less structured. ...
Feral horse (Equus ferus caballus) grazing can alter arid shrubland habitat in the western United States to the detriment of sympatric wildlife species, including the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). To date, studies of horse-influenced habitat alteration have only occurred in a few locations and have infrequently represented gradients of horse use. We investigated whether greater sage-grouse habitat quality metrics were negatively associated with feral horse use in southcentral Wyoming, USA. We also tested whether utilization distributions generated from feral horses tracked with global position system transmitters were correlated with dung pile density, our index of horse use. Dung pile density did not vary among utilization distribution levels, indicating utilization distributions were a poor predictor of cumulative horse use. Bare ground increased with dung pile density (β = 0.06, 85% CI = 0.04–0.18), and grass height exhibited a threshold response and began to decline after 638 piles/ha. Other habitat metrics including percent shrub cover, native perennial grass cover, and visual obstruction were better explained by topographic and temporal variation. Our results suggest that herd size reduction may limit soil erosion potential and improve desired herbaceous structure, though additional management actions regarding feral horse use are needed to sustain high-quality greater sage-grouse habitat.
... For example, the increased overland flow and erosion associated with upland ecological sites in a degraded or altered state may disrupt ecosystem functions and alter channel morphology ( Stringham et al. 2003 ;Pellant et al. 2005 ). Despite these links, most research has focused solely on management within riparian areas ( Stillings et al. 2003 ;Magner et al. 2008 ;Haan et al. 2010 ;Vande Kamp et al. 2013 ;Batchelor et al. 2015 ) without considering the influence of management of adjacent upland sites ( Clary and Leininger 20 0 0 ;Wiens 2002 ;Allan 2004 ;Covino 2017 ;Sheppard et al. 2017 ). ...
Watersheds are distinct hydrologic units that comprise a range of terrestrial upland and riparian complex ecological sites. Since the hydrologic function of the entirety of the watershed is linked, other ecological functions and processes are also likely linked. No single assessment tool is available to describe the ecological status of both terrestrial upland sites and riparian complexes in a single watershed. We investigated the relationship by integrating two assessment tools, Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health protocol (IIRH) and stream geomorphic surveys in prairie ecosystems. The qualitative values from the IIRH protocol were different among upland sites associated with 35 intermittent stream reaches in North Dakota in the United States. Riparian complex sites were separated using three metrics of stream stability: stream channel type, bank-height ratio, and Bank Erosion Hazard Index. Stream channel type had the strongest relationship with two attributes of rangeland health, Soil & Site Stability and Hydrologic Function, while bank-height ratio had the strongest relationship with the Biotic Integrity attribute. The influences of individual indicators were identified using a principal components analysis, which revealed unstable streams were typified by departures from the reference state in compaction, soil loss, bare ground, litter dynamics, infiltration, and invasive species. These findings suggest that changes in these IIRH indicators should be monitored and managed by land managers to ensure that riparian function and ecosystem services are not compromised. Future research must continue to investigate the link between upland and riparian functions within a watershed, with special emphasis on vegetation dynamics. In the meantime, integrating these two assessments can provide land managers with vital information about maintaining ecological function throughout the watershed.
