Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
|
 |
|
Brooks, M. L., & Esque, T. C. (2002). Alien plants and fire in desert tortoise (gopherus agassizii) habitat of the mojave and colorado deserts. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 4(2), 330–340.
Added by: Admin (14 Aug 2008 20:35:25 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Brooks2002 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Gopherus, Gopherus agassizii, Habitat = habitat, invasive Arten = invasive species, Nordamerika = North America, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Testudinidae Creators: Brooks, Esque Collection: Chelonian Conservation and Biology |
Views: 4/606
Views index: 10% Popularity index: 2.5% |
| Abstract |
|
Gopherus agassizii Testudinidae Alien plants and fire have recently been recognized as significant land management problems in the Mojave and Colorado deserts. Annual species dominate the alien flora, although only Bromus rubens, Schismus spp., and Erodium cicutarium are currently widespread and abundant. These species can compete with native plants, and B. rubens in particular has contributed to significant increases in fire frequency since the 1970s. Native desert plants are often poorly adapted to fire, and recurrent fire has converted native shrubland to alien annual grassland in some areas. Changes in plant communities caused by alien plants and recurrent fire may negatively affect native animals such as the desert tortoise by altering habitat structure and the species composition of their food plants. The dominance of alien annual plants and the frequency of fire may increase in the future due to increased levels of urbanization and atmospheric nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Increases or decreases in rainfall could also cause changes in alien plant dominance and fire frequency. Land managers should focus on early detection and eradication of new alien species, especially those that pose significant fire threats, and on law enforcement to minimize the frequency of ignitions by humans. Additional information on the ecology and effects of invasive plants and fire in the Mojave and Colorado deserts are needed to develop effective management plans.
Added by: Admin |