Restoration of Rangelands Invaded by Amelichloa clandestina (Hack.) Arriaga & Barkworth after 12 Years of Agriculture Abandonment (Coahuila, Mexico)

José R. Arévalo, Juan A. Encina-Domínguez, Sait Juanes-Márquez, Perpetuo Álvarez-Vázquez, Juan A. Nuñez-Colima and Miguel Mellado
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José R. Arévalo: Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, University of La Laguna, 38206 La Laguna, Spain
Juan A. Encina-Domínguez: Departament of Natural Resources, Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro, Saltillo 25315, Mexico
Sait Juanes-Márquez: Departament of Natural Resources, Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro, Saltillo 25315, Mexico
Perpetuo Álvarez-Vázquez: Departament of Natural Resources, Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro, Saltillo 25315, Mexico
Juan A. Nuñez-Colima: Departament of Natural Resources, Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro, Saltillo 25315, Mexico
Miguel Mellado: Department of Animal Nutrition, Autonomous Agrarian University Antonio Narro, Saltillo 25315, Mexico

Agriculture, 2021, vol. 11, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: Abandonment of agricultural land is currently one of the main land use changes in developed countries. This change has an impact at the economic level and from the point of view of conservation. Therefore, recovering these areas after abandonment is, in many cases, necessary for ecological restoration, especially as they can be invaded by exotic or dominant species, preventing recovery of the original plant species community. The objective of this study is to examine changes in plant species richness and composition after the application of different treatments to eliminate Amelichloa clandestina, a species that dominates pastures abandoned 12 years ago in an area located in northern Mexico. The area is a semi-desert grassland dominated by buffalo grass Bouteloua dactyloides . We used different eradication techniques such as burning, herbicides, and clipping. Although the treatments had significant effects on species richness and composition and resulted in a relative reduction of the target species, the abundance of Amelichloa clandestina was still substantial. Burning is effective, favoring the increase of species richness and provoking a lower presence of A. clandestine but with a dominance of annuals. The most important impact on the total cover of A. clandestina is shown by the herbicide treatment. However, monitoring of these areas will still be required to consider the long-term impact and success of treatments.

Keywords: biodiversity; DCA; species richness; restoration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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