- Graham, R.A., Florentine, Singarayer, Fox, John, Luong, T. M.
- Authors: Graham, R.A. , Florentine, Singarayer , Fox, John , Luong, T. M.
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Rangeland Journal Vol. 26, no. 1 (2004), p. 17-33
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The paper reports soil seedbank species composition, of Eucalyptus victrix grassy woodlands, of the upper Fortescue River in the Pilbara District, Western Australia. In this study, our objectives were to investigate germinable soil seedbanks and species composition in response to three simulated seasons, using emergence. Variation in seed density from three depths was tested. Four field sites were sampled. Thirty samples were collected in late spring, after seed rain and prior to summer rainfall. From each sample spot, three soil depths (surface, 1-5, and 6-10 cm) were segregated from beneath surface areas of 100 cm(2). Samples were later incubated in a glasshouse to simulate three different seasonal conditions (autumn, winter and spring). Germinating seedlings were recorded on emergence and grown until identified. Forty-one species germinated, comprising 11 grasses (7 annuals and 4 perennials), 25 annual herbs and 5 perennial herbs. Distribution patterns of germinable seed in both the important annual grass Eragrostis japonica and the perennial Eragrostis setifolia (a preferred cattle fodder species), suggest that seedbank accumulation differs among species and between sites. In part, this may be associated with the absence of grazing. Species with most total germinable seed were E. japonica (Poaceae; 603/m(2)), and the annual herbs Calotis multicaulis (Asteraceae; 346/m(2)), and Mimulus gracilis (Scrophulariaceae; 168/m(2)). Perennial grass seed was sparse. Spring simulation gave most germination (1059), followed by autumn (892) and winter (376) sets. Greatest species diversity was produced from the spring simulation (33 species), followed by autumn (26), and winter (22). Of the total germination, 92% came from 17 species that were represented in all three simulations. Of the 1227 grass seedlings counted, most were recruited from the surface soil (735), followed by the 5 (310) and 10 (182) cm depths. Marginally more grass seedlings germinated from the spring simulation (558) than the autumn set (523). Only 11.9% of grass germinants came from the winter simulation. All grass species recruited from the soil seedbanks had a C-4 photosynthetic pathway. Except for Cenchrus ciliaris all grass species are native to Australia. Of the four sites sampled, one fenced to exclude cattle five years earlier had significantly more germination than the three unfenced sites. Seedbank sampling produced several new records for plants in the areas sampled.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003000711
- Welgama, Amali, Florentine, Singarayer, Marchante, Hélia, Javaid, Muhammad, Turville, Christopher
- Authors: Welgama, Amali , Florentine, Singarayer , Marchante, Hélia , Javaid, Muhammad , Turville, Christopher
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Botany Vol. 67, no. 5 (2019), p. 414-424
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Acacia longifolia subsp. longifolia is native to South-eastern Australia and has naturalised in many regions across the globe, including in Portugal, Spain, and South Africa invading extensive areas. Prolific seed production and a long-lived seedbank are considered key factors that enhance its invasiveness. Yet, the effects of different factors on germination are still underexplored. Seeds were collected from Portuguese and Australian populations, and germination was evaluated under different temperature regimes, photoperiods, pH levels, salt stress, osmotic potential and burial depths. Findings show both populations share some similar patterns but also reveal important differences related to their germination. Higher temperatures induce increased germination rates while the photoperiod has no effect on germination. Both populations had quicker seed emergence under dark conditions. Seeds from both populations decrease germination rate under increasing salt-stress and show a wide range of pH tolerance, but Australians seeds are more tolerant to increase of both parameters. Seeds from the Portuguese population are bigger and germinated from deeper depths than the Australian. Our results may provide information to improve management of this species seedbank. Germination can prevent by, tillage or other interventions that help to increase burial depths; adding lime (to increase the soil alkalinity) can reduce its germination rate in both geographical ranges.
The impact of deforestation and pasture abandonment on soil properties in the wet tropics of Australia
- Rasiah, Velu, Florentine, Singarayer, Williams, B. L., Westbrooke, Martin
- Authors: Rasiah, Velu , Florentine, Singarayer , Williams, B. L. , Westbrooke, Martin
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Geoderma Vol. 120, no. 1-2 (2004), p. 35-45
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Limited information exists on the changes in soil properties, particularly from the wet tropics of Australia, under long-term abandoned pasture, which was previously grazed and was established on deforested tropical rainforest. This information may be help in successful forest reestablishment. The objectives of this study were to assess the cumulative impact deforestation, grazed and abandoned pasture on selected soil physico-chemical properties from (i) an abandoned pastureland and (ii) a recently planted rainforest (PRF), planted in the abandoned pastureland. The experimental site is a field in the Northeast Queensland (NEQ) wet tropical region of Australia. This site was deforested approximately 70 years ago and brought under unfertilized grazed pasture for 30 years. Subsequently the grazed pastureland was abandoned and remains un-grazed for 40 years. A section of the abandoned pastureland was planted, 10 years ago, with native forest species, involving different combinations in five treatments in a completely randomised block design. A nearby undisturbed rainforest is used as the background against which assessment was carried out. Soil samples from 0- to 15-cm depth were collected in July 2000 and analyzed for nitrate-N, ammonium-N, total N, total soil organic C (SOC) and labile-C, pH (in water and CaCl2), electrical conductivity (EC), exchangeable Ca, Mg, Na, K, and Al, and bulk density. Compared to the rainforest, the N and C concentrations of different forms under abandoned pasture and PRF were significantly less, exclusive of the total N under abandoned pasture. More specifically, the SOC under the abandoned pasture was 37,600 mg/kg compared with 74,800 mg/kg under rainforest and 27,000 mg/kg in the PRF. The exchangeable Al under rainforest was 8.5 c molc/kg compared with 42. 4 to 80.2 c molc/kg under abandoned pasture and PRF. In general exchangeable cations (sum of Ca, Mg, K, and Na) under the rainforest were higher than the abandoned pasture. Soil under the abandoned pasture and PRF are more acidic by 0.5 to 1 units than the rainforest. Higher bulk densities under abandoned pasture and PRF led to 0.03% to 0.07% reductions in total porosities. Though we did not anticipate the soil under the abandoned pasture to recover 100% in 30-40 years, the results indicate that 40 years under abandoned pasture or 30 years of abandoned pasture plus 10 years under PRF was not sufficient to bring about substantial improvement in soil properties comparable to the rainforest. This implies the resiliency of tropical soils, in general, to recover from deforestation and cultivation induced degradation is poor. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003000713
- Authors: Rasiah, Velu , Florentine, Singarayer , Williams, B. L. , Westbrooke, Martin
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Geoderma Vol. 120, no. 1-2 (2004), p. 35-45
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Limited information exists on the changes in soil properties, particularly from the wet tropics of Australia, under long-term abandoned pasture, which was previously grazed and was established on deforested tropical rainforest. This information may be help in successful forest reestablishment. The objectives of this study were to assess the cumulative impact deforestation, grazed and abandoned pasture on selected soil physico-chemical properties from (i) an abandoned pastureland and (ii) a recently planted rainforest (PRF), planted in the abandoned pastureland. The experimental site is a field in the Northeast Queensland (NEQ) wet tropical region of Australia. This site was deforested approximately 70 years ago and brought under unfertilized grazed pasture for 30 years. Subsequently the grazed pastureland was abandoned and remains un-grazed for 40 years. A section of the abandoned pastureland was planted, 10 years ago, with native forest species, involving different combinations in five treatments in a completely randomised block design. A nearby undisturbed rainforest is used as the background against which assessment was carried out. Soil samples from 0- to 15-cm depth were collected in July 2000 and analyzed for nitrate-N, ammonium-N, total N, total soil organic C (SOC) and labile-C, pH (in water and CaCl2), electrical conductivity (EC), exchangeable Ca, Mg, Na, K, and Al, and bulk density. Compared to the rainforest, the N and C concentrations of different forms under abandoned pasture and PRF were significantly less, exclusive of the total N under abandoned pasture. More specifically, the SOC under the abandoned pasture was 37,600 mg/kg compared with 74,800 mg/kg under rainforest and 27,000 mg/kg in the PRF. The exchangeable Al under rainforest was 8.5 c molc/kg compared with 42. 4 to 80.2 c molc/kg under abandoned pasture and PRF. In general exchangeable cations (sum of Ca, Mg, K, and Na) under the rainforest were higher than the abandoned pasture. Soil under the abandoned pasture and PRF are more acidic by 0.5 to 1 units than the rainforest. Higher bulk densities under abandoned pasture and PRF led to 0.03% to 0.07% reductions in total porosities. Though we did not anticipate the soil under the abandoned pasture to recover 100% in 30-40 years, the results indicate that 40 years under abandoned pasture or 30 years of abandoned pasture plus 10 years under PRF was not sufficient to bring about substantial improvement in soil properties comparable to the rainforest. This implies the resiliency of tropical soils, in general, to recover from deforestation and cultivation induced degradation is poor. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003000713
The need for speed: Timely prevention of the dispersal of noxious weeds in relief fodder using efficient sampling procedures
- Weller, Sandra, Florentine, Singarayer, Sillitoe, Jim, Grech, Charles, McLaren, David, Chauhan, Bhagirath
- Authors: Weller, Sandra , Florentine, Singarayer , Sillitoe, Jim , Grech, Charles , McLaren, David , Chauhan, Bhagirath
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Crop Protection Vol. 70, no. (2015), p. 21-27
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Invasive and noxious weeds are well known as a pervasive problem, imposing significant economic burdens on all areas of agriculture. Whilst there are multiple possible pathways of weed dispersal in this industry, of particular interest to this discussion is the unintended dispersal of weed seeds within fodder. During periods of drought or following natural disasters such as wild fire or flood, there arises the urgent need for 'relief' fodder to ensure survival and recovery of livestock. In emergency situations, relief fodder may be sourced from widely dispersed geographic regions, and some of these regions may be invaded by an extensive variety of weeds that are both exotic and detrimental to the intended destination for the fodder. Pasture hay is a common source of relief fodder and it typically consists of a mixture of grassy and broadleaf species that may include noxious weeds. When required urgently, pasture hay for relief fodder can be cut, baled, and transported over long distances in a short period of time, with little opportunity for prebaling inspection. It appears that, at the present time, there has been little effort towards rapid testing of bales, post-baling, for the presence of noxious weeds, as a measure to prevent dispersal of seeds. Published studies have relied on the analysis of relatively small numbers of bales, tested to destruction, in order to reveal seed species for identification and enumeration. The development of faster, more reliable, and non-destructive sampling methods is essential to increase the fodder industry's capacity to prevent the dispersal of noxious weeds to previously unaffected locales.
- Authors: Weller, Sandra , Florentine, Singarayer , Sillitoe, Jim , Grech, Charles , McLaren, David , Chauhan, Bhagirath
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Crop Protection Vol. 70, no. (2015), p. 21-27
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Invasive and noxious weeds are well known as a pervasive problem, imposing significant economic burdens on all areas of agriculture. Whilst there are multiple possible pathways of weed dispersal in this industry, of particular interest to this discussion is the unintended dispersal of weed seeds within fodder. During periods of drought or following natural disasters such as wild fire or flood, there arises the urgent need for 'relief' fodder to ensure survival and recovery of livestock. In emergency situations, relief fodder may be sourced from widely dispersed geographic regions, and some of these regions may be invaded by an extensive variety of weeds that are both exotic and detrimental to the intended destination for the fodder. Pasture hay is a common source of relief fodder and it typically consists of a mixture of grassy and broadleaf species that may include noxious weeds. When required urgently, pasture hay for relief fodder can be cut, baled, and transported over long distances in a short period of time, with little opportunity for prebaling inspection. It appears that, at the present time, there has been little effort towards rapid testing of bales, post-baling, for the presence of noxious weeds, as a measure to prevent dispersal of seeds. Published studies have relied on the analysis of relatively small numbers of bales, tested to destruction, in order to reveal seed species for identification and enumeration. The development of faster, more reliable, and non-destructive sampling methods is essential to increase the fodder industry's capacity to prevent the dispersal of noxious weeds to previously unaffected locales.
The response of Nassella trichotoma (serrated tussock) seeds and seedlings to different levels of fire intensity
- Humphries, Talia, Florentine, Singarayer
- Authors: Humphries, Talia , Florentine, Singarayer
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Botany Vol. 71, no. 4 (2023), p. 188-198
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Context Fire is an important disturbance regime in grassland communities, since it is responsible for stimulating the regeneration of many species and for maintaining levels of biodiversity. When invasive plants, such as Nassella trichotoma, establish and become widespread in a grassland community, these important fire events can be altered in intensity and frequency, which means that they are able to facilitate the establishment of the exotic species. Therefore, before fire can be recommended as a suitable control technique for invasive species, or alternatively to be integrated into grassland restoration programs, understanding the response of the seeds of exotic species to high temperatures, such as those experienced during a fire, should be well understood. Aims Our aim was to identify their response to a gradient of temperatures associated with different levels of fire intensity. We examined how increased duration of exposure affects their response, and whether seed age or seed moisture content affect the germination response of this species. Methods To gain a fuller understanding of the fire response of N. trichotoma’s seedbank, seeds were collected in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 and then stored until the commencement of the experiments in 2020. Selected seeds were first subjected to an increasing temperature gradient (80°C, 100°C, 120°C, 140°C, and a control), and an increasing duration of exposure (of 1, 3, 6, and 9 min). In the second experiment, one population was selected to test these same temperatures and duration of exposure after the seeds were hydrated to 15%, 50%, or 95%. Last, seedlings were grown for 3 months under glasshouse conditions and then exposed to increasing temperatures (20°C, 60°C, 80°C, 100°C, and 120°C), and an increasing duration of exposure (3, 6, and 9 min). The seedlings were assessed 2 weeks after the heat exposure for signs of damage. Key results It was found that increased temperatures and duration of exposure had a subtle negative effect on germination parameters, including reduced total germination and increased time to 50% germination. The 140°C treatment was seen to be a significant threshold because it killed all the seeds at any duration of exposure. A significant difference among the ages of each seed lot was observed to be a factor on the tested germination metrics, with the oldest tested population (2016) demonstrating the highest germination percentage, uniformity, and rate. Seed germination percentage was significantly reduced for seeds hydrated to 95% compared with the control treatment, whereas no significant difference was observed for the seeds hydrated to 15% and 50%. For the heat treatment of the seedlings, damage to the leaves was observed in the 80°C, 100°C, and 120°C treatments, with some plants in the 120°C treatment experiencing extensive damage prior to resprouting. No seedlings were killed at the tested temperatures. Conclusions Results of this study indicated that fire may be a useful tool for reducing seedbank density by killing a high proportion of the seeds on the soil surface, or located within the top 1 cm of the soil profile, but not for seeds buried more deeply. Efficacy of fire on surface and shallow-buried seeds is improved with high seed moisture content however, these seeds buried below this depth are still protected by the soil from the lethal effects of temperature. Implications Fire implemented before seed set could be used to effectively kill a large proportion of N. trichotoma seeds. However, for more comprehensive control, it is recommended that chemical treatment is integrated with the fire treatment to improve the overall control efficiency.
- Authors: Humphries, Talia , Florentine, Singarayer
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Botany Vol. 71, no. 4 (2023), p. 188-198
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Context Fire is an important disturbance regime in grassland communities, since it is responsible for stimulating the regeneration of many species and for maintaining levels of biodiversity. When invasive plants, such as Nassella trichotoma, establish and become widespread in a grassland community, these important fire events can be altered in intensity and frequency, which means that they are able to facilitate the establishment of the exotic species. Therefore, before fire can be recommended as a suitable control technique for invasive species, or alternatively to be integrated into grassland restoration programs, understanding the response of the seeds of exotic species to high temperatures, such as those experienced during a fire, should be well understood. Aims Our aim was to identify their response to a gradient of temperatures associated with different levels of fire intensity. We examined how increased duration of exposure affects their response, and whether seed age or seed moisture content affect the germination response of this species. Methods To gain a fuller understanding of the fire response of N. trichotoma’s seedbank, seeds were collected in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 and then stored until the commencement of the experiments in 2020. Selected seeds were first subjected to an increasing temperature gradient (80°C, 100°C, 120°C, 140°C, and a control), and an increasing duration of exposure (of 1, 3, 6, and 9 min). In the second experiment, one population was selected to test these same temperatures and duration of exposure after the seeds were hydrated to 15%, 50%, or 95%. Last, seedlings were grown for 3 months under glasshouse conditions and then exposed to increasing temperatures (20°C, 60°C, 80°C, 100°C, and 120°C), and an increasing duration of exposure (3, 6, and 9 min). The seedlings were assessed 2 weeks after the heat exposure for signs of damage. Key results It was found that increased temperatures and duration of exposure had a subtle negative effect on germination parameters, including reduced total germination and increased time to 50% germination. The 140°C treatment was seen to be a significant threshold because it killed all the seeds at any duration of exposure. A significant difference among the ages of each seed lot was observed to be a factor on the tested germination metrics, with the oldest tested population (2016) demonstrating the highest germination percentage, uniformity, and rate. Seed germination percentage was significantly reduced for seeds hydrated to 95% compared with the control treatment, whereas no significant difference was observed for the seeds hydrated to 15% and 50%. For the heat treatment of the seedlings, damage to the leaves was observed in the 80°C, 100°C, and 120°C treatments, with some plants in the 120°C treatment experiencing extensive damage prior to resprouting. No seedlings were killed at the tested temperatures. Conclusions Results of this study indicated that fire may be a useful tool for reducing seedbank density by killing a high proportion of the seeds on the soil surface, or located within the top 1 cm of the soil profile, but not for seeds buried more deeply. Efficacy of fire on surface and shallow-buried seeds is improved with high seed moisture content however, these seeds buried below this depth are still protected by the soil from the lethal effects of temperature. Implications Fire implemented before seed set could be used to effectively kill a large proportion of N. trichotoma seeds. However, for more comprehensive control, it is recommended that chemical treatment is integrated with the fire treatment to improve the overall control efficiency.
The unquantified risk of post-fire metal concentration in soil : A Review
- Abraham, Joji, Dowling, Kim, Florentine, Singarayer
- Authors: Abraham, Joji , Dowling, Kim , Florentine, Singarayer
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Vol. 228, no. 5 (2017), p. 1-33
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Forest fire is a natural disturbance that occurs in many terrestrial ecosystems specifically in the semi-arid environments and is considered to be an important cause of environmental change. Though many causes of fire are identified, including lightning, volcanic eruption, power line sparks, etc., human involvement is the most significant factor. Fire events are able to alter the physical, chemical and biogeochemical properties of the soil and surface materials and are able to release major and trace metals into the environment. This may be more significant in mining-affected and industrial landscapes, where elevated concentrations of metals present in the soil. After the fire event, metals become more mobile due to the increase in soil surface exposure and the mobility associated with ash dispersal. This mobility may increase the bioavailability of the metals, which may generate water quality issues and may contribute to human and environmental health concerns. Even though, the influences of fire on many soil properties are well established, the behaviour of metals with respect to fire is not well investigated. However, a few studies report that major and trace metals include Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and As are mobilized after fire with increased concentrations in soil and water resources and this might pose a risk to human health and ecosystems. Climate change may increase the intensity, frequency and areal extend of fire events and hence increase the metal concentrations and their potential health impacts. This paper reviews post-fire (wild fire) mobility of metals in soil common in contaminated forest ecosystems. The human and ecological health risks of these metals are also considered. © 2017, Springer International Publishing Switzerland.
Weeds in a changing climate : Vulnerabilities, consequences, and implications for future weed management
- Ramesh, Kulasekaran, Matloob, Amar, Aslam, Farhena, Florentine, Singarayer, Chauhan, Bhagirath
- Authors: Ramesh, Kulasekaran , Matloob, Amar , Aslam, Farhena , Florentine, Singarayer , Chauhan, Bhagirath
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Plant Science Vol. 8, no. (2017), p. 1-13
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Whilst it is agreed that climate change will impact on the long-term interactions between crops and weeds, the results of this impact are far from clear. We suggest that a thorough understanding of weed dominance and weed interactions, depending on crop and weed ecosystems and crop sequences in the ecosystem, will be the key determining factor for successful weed management. Indeed, we claim that recent changes observed throughout the world within the weed spectrum in different cropping systems which were ostensibly related to climate change, warrant a deeper examination of weed vulnerabilities before a full understanding is reached. For example, the uncontrolled establishment of weeds in crops leads to a mixed population, in terms of C3 and C4 pathways, and this poses a considerable level of complexity for weed management. There is a need to include all possible combinations of crops and weeds while studying the impact of climate change on crop-weed competitive interactions, since, from a weed management perspective, C4 weeds would flourish in the increased temperature scenario and pose serious yield penalties. This is particularly alarming as a majority of the most competitive weeds are C4 plants. Although CO2 is considered as a main contributing factor for climate change, a few Australian studies have also predicted differing responses of weed species due to shifts in rainfall patterns. Reduced water availability, due to recurrent and unforeseen droughts, would alter the competitive balance between crops and some weed species, intensifying the crop-weed competition pressure. Although it is recognized that the weed pressure associated with climate change is a significant threat to crop production, either through increased temperatures, rainfall shift, and elevated CO2 levels, the current knowledge of this effect is very sparse. A few models that have attempted to predict these interactions are discussed in this paper, since these models could play an integral role in developing future management programs for future weed threats. This review has presented a comprehensive discussion of the recent research in this area, and has identified key deficiencies which need further research in crop-weed eco-systems to formulate suitable control measures before the real impacts of climate change set in. © 2017 Ramesh, Matloob, Aslam, Florentine and Chauhan.
- Authors: Ramesh, Kulasekaran , Matloob, Amar , Aslam, Farhena , Florentine, Singarayer , Chauhan, Bhagirath
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Plant Science Vol. 8, no. (2017), p. 1-13
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Whilst it is agreed that climate change will impact on the long-term interactions between crops and weeds, the results of this impact are far from clear. We suggest that a thorough understanding of weed dominance and weed interactions, depending on crop and weed ecosystems and crop sequences in the ecosystem, will be the key determining factor for successful weed management. Indeed, we claim that recent changes observed throughout the world within the weed spectrum in different cropping systems which were ostensibly related to climate change, warrant a deeper examination of weed vulnerabilities before a full understanding is reached. For example, the uncontrolled establishment of weeds in crops leads to a mixed population, in terms of C3 and C4 pathways, and this poses a considerable level of complexity for weed management. There is a need to include all possible combinations of crops and weeds while studying the impact of climate change on crop-weed competitive interactions, since, from a weed management perspective, C4 weeds would flourish in the increased temperature scenario and pose serious yield penalties. This is particularly alarming as a majority of the most competitive weeds are C4 plants. Although CO2 is considered as a main contributing factor for climate change, a few Australian studies have also predicted differing responses of weed species due to shifts in rainfall patterns. Reduced water availability, due to recurrent and unforeseen droughts, would alter the competitive balance between crops and some weed species, intensifying the crop-weed competition pressure. Although it is recognized that the weed pressure associated with climate change is a significant threat to crop production, either through increased temperatures, rainfall shift, and elevated CO2 levels, the current knowledge of this effect is very sparse. A few models that have attempted to predict these interactions are discussed in this paper, since these models could play an integral role in developing future management programs for future weed threats. This review has presented a comprehensive discussion of the recent research in this area, and has identified key deficiencies which need further research in crop-weed eco-systems to formulate suitable control measures before the real impacts of climate change set in. © 2017 Ramesh, Matloob, Aslam, Florentine and Chauhan.
- Roberts, Cathryn, Westbrooke, Martin, Florentine, Singarayer, Cook, Simon
- Authors: Roberts, Cathryn , Westbrooke, Martin , Florentine, Singarayer , Cook, Simon
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Mammalogy Vol. 37, no. 1 (2015), p. 107-112
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Although red deer (Cervus elaphus) have the potential to play a major role in influencing the structure and composition of vegetation, little is known about the dietary preferences of red deer in Australia. In the Grampians National Park, Victoria, where there is a large, established red deer population, there has been concern over the condition of woodlands, with lack of perennial seedling recruitment observed. We estimated the diets of 12 red deer using macroscopic sorting techniques. We examined rumen contents of seven male and five female red deer from four woodland Ecological Vegetation Classes, which indicate that they act as intermediate feeders. A wide variety of plants were ingested, with evergreen tree species, small trees and woody shrubs making up a large proportion of the diet, along with grasses. This study found that red deer show significantly different dietary intake due to sex, with females consuming a diet much higher in grasses, while males consume more trees and shrubs. These findings have implications for the management of red deer populations within the park and broader implications for their effects on Australian ecosystems.