The first objective of this paper was to assess the effects of grazing on seedling establishment of two species whose relative abundance at the adult stage is affected by grazing in a contrasting fashion. Second, we evaluated the relative importance of seed versus safe-site availability in explaining the effect of grazing on seedling establishment. We monitored seedling establishment on a grazed area, on two areas which had not been grazed for two and seven years, and on plots which had been experimentally defoliated. The species compared were Danthonia montevidensis, a native pernnnial grass which dominates both grazed and ungrazed communities, and Leontodon taraxacoides, an invading exotic rosette species from the Compositae family. Continuous grazing enhanced seedling establishment of both species through its effect on the availability of safe sites. Seed availability accounted for only one, but very important, grazing effect: the lack of response by L. taraxacoides to the defoliation in the seven-year old exclosure. Its seed supply was depleted by exclusion of grazing and, consequently, its short-term regeneration capacity after disturbance was lost.
The Journal of Vegetation Science publishes papers on all aspects of vegetation science, with particular emphasis on papers that develop new concepts or methods, test theory, identify general patterns, or that otherwise are likely to interest a broad readership. Papers may focus on any aspect of vegetation science including theory, methodology, spatial patterns (including plant geography and landscape ecology), temporal changes (including palaeoecology and demography), processes (including ecophysiology), and description of ecological communities (by phytosociological or other methods), provided the focus is on increasing our understanding of plant communities. Papers with a more applied focus should be directed to our sister journal, Applied Vegetation Science. The Journal of Vegetation Science accepts original papers (including shorter ones), reviews, forum contributions and reports. It commissions reviews of selected books.
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