@article {JRN55006,
	title = {Generalized and specific state-and-transition models to guide management and restoration of Caldenal forests},
	journal = {Rangeland Ecology and Management},
	volume = {72},
	year = {2019},
	month = {03/2019},
	pages = {230-236},
	chapter = {230},
	abstract = {<p>Management impacts and natural events can produce ecosystem state changes that are difficult to reverse. In such cases, a detailed understanding of drivers, thresholds, and feedback mechanisms are needed to design restoration interventions. The Caldenal ecoregion in central Argentina has undergone widespread state change, and restoration is urgently needed, but as yet there has been no knowledge synthesis to support restoration actions. In this paper, we provide evidence-based guidelines for ecological restoration of the Caldenal forest derived from a general to local conceptual understanding of ecosystemdynamics.Wedevelop a Caldenal forest state transition model based on a generalized fire-mediated savanna-woodland transitionmodel. The generalizedmodel depicts global similarities in fire-grass feedback loops as a primary factor controlling savanna to woodland transition (thicketization) in semiarid savannas around the world. An open forest is considered to be the reference state of the Caldenal that developed under a historical regime of frequent low-intensity fire. The introduction of large livestock herds in the region disrupted the positive fire-grass feedback loop and increased dispersal and recruitment of Prosopis caldenia, creating conditions for thicketization of the forest. Controlled, low-intensity fire can be used to build the resilience of an open forest state. Restoring open forest states from woodland states requires<br />
a large-scale selective thinning and pruning operation. Long-term restoration requires breaking the positive livestock-thicketization-high-intensity fire feedback and reestablishing the positive grass-lowintensity fire feedback to ensure the persistence of a restored open forest state.</p>
},
	keywords = {constraint to restoration, fire-mediated feedback, resilience, thicketization},
	doi = {doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2018.11.002},
	url = {files/bibliography/19-007.pdf},
	author = {H. Raul Peinetti and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and Chirino, Claudia and A. Kin and Frank Buss, Maria Elisa}
}
@article {49969,
	title = {Foraging behavior of heritage versus recently introduced herbivores on desert landscapes of the American Southwest},
	journal = {Ecosphere},
	volume = {2},
	year = {2011},
	month = {05/2011},
	pages = {1-14},
	chapter = {Article 57},
	abstract = {
	Since the 1800s managed grasslands and shrublands of the arid American Southwest have been grazed predominantly by cattle originally bred for temperate climates in northern Europe. A heritage breed, the criollo cattle, has survived in northern Mexico for more than 400 years under desert-like conditions of low and variable rainfall, hot temperatures in the growing season, and both spatially and temporally scarce levels of primary production. We tested the hypothesis that the heritage breed has a broader spatial foraging distribution under harsh environmental conditions, and that its distribution is driven by environmental variables which differ from those that control the distribution of the introduced European breed. Movements of individual criollo and Angus breed animals were monitored autonomously in the northern Chihuahuan desert of southern New Mexico, USA. Georeferenced foraging locations acquired at 5-minute intervals for each animal were fit to a logistic regression using environmental factors as predictors. In the spring, when forage availability was high and more uniformly distributed across the landscape, animal foraging patterns were similar for both breeds. In the fall when forage availability was low and non-uniformly distributed, the two breeds exhibited very different foraging patterns: heritage animals foraged across a much larger spatial extent whereas their domestic counterparts remained in close proximity to the permanent source of water. These differences in foraging behavior driven by environmental variables have important implications for sustainability of rangelands in spatially and temporally variable environments. Heritage breeds of animals that are generalist foragers during unfavorable conditions can reduce environmental impacts compared to more recently introduced breeds.},
	keywords = {Chihuahuan Desert, criollo cattle, GPS monitoring, herbivory, landscape foraging patterns, resource selection functions},
	doi = {doi:10.1890/ES11-00021.1},
	url = {/files/bibliography/11-009.pdf},
	author = {H. Raul Peinetti and E.L. Fredrickson and Debra C. Peters and Andr{\'e}s F. Cibils and Roacho-Estrada, J.O. and Andrea S. Laliberte}
}
@conference {50252,
	title = {Assessing the importance of landscape attributes for livestock distribution within a complex desert environment},
	booktitle = {Ecological Society of America Abstracts},
	year = {2008},
	month = {August 4-8, 2008},
	pages = {54-22},
	address = {Milwaukee, WI},
	abstract = {Predictive models of grazing distribution are used to explore livestock {\textendash} landscape interactions. However, conventional models based on local foraging rules or regression analyses have limited predictive value at larger scales commonly of interest to land managers. We developed a landscape scale model that matches the spatial scale of decision factors with the predicted distribution pattern.  The model was used to infer how animals integrate landscape factors. Predictive models of grazing suitability were generated for different seasons (Spring and Fall) and cattle breeds (Angus and Criollo) in a 2,425 ha pasture on the Jornada Experimental Range located in the northern Chihuahuan Desert. Models generate raster maps of grazing suitability using an adapted version of the Multi-Criteria Evaluation method from decision theory. Four factors: vegetation, distance from water, shrub density, and elevation were represented by 10 m grid maps. Independent GPS collars grazing positions data acquired at 5-minute intervals were used to calculate decision functions, which describe animal preference for different landscape attributes, and to evaluate how well the model fit the data. Models with three predictors produced the best fit of the data. Distance to water was the most important factor in all models. Animals showed higher preferences for areas within 4 to 6 km of permanent water depend upon breeds. Other factors were included with lower relative importance. Animal preferences were greater for areas with low shrub density and for low elevation sites where Pleuraphis mutica, Schleropogon brevifolius, and Sporobulus spp. dominate heavier texture soils. Suitable areas delimited by the models realistically represent the observed spatial pattern of grazing. Between 70 to 90 \% of grazing positions occurred in cells classified by the model as suitable. Conversely, the number of suitable cells was 5 to 8 times larger than the observed grazed cells. These differences may have occurred because grazing positions correspond to a very low stocking rate (6 cows in a 2,425 ha pasture); under a realistic situation the number of grazed cells is expected to largely increase. According to the models the pasture is characterized by a single or few large grazing patches which includes about 80\% of all suitable cells for grazing. This modeling approach can contribute to an understanding of how large animals perceive landscape heterogeneity.},
	keywords = {abstrace, landscape, landscape attributes, livestock},
	author = {H. Raul Peinetti and E.L. Fredrickson and Debra C. Peters and Roacho-Estrada, J.O. and Andrea S. Laliberte}
}
@conference {50367,
	title = {Ecology and management of savannas and semi-deserts of central Argentina},
	booktitle = {Society for Range Mangement, 60th Annual Meeting and Trade Show},
	number = {Paper No. 324},
	year = {2007},
	month = {02/2007},
	address = {Reno/Sparks, NV},
	abstract = {Vegetation of western pampas of central Argentina comprises: caldera, local name of a savanna to woodland ecosystem dominated by Prosopis caldenia; short-grassland and dune-grassland. The area include the central La Pampa and southern San Luis provinces, following a western precipitation gradient from 700 to 400 mm year-1. The caldenal typically occurs in valleys with loamy soils, while grasslands occur in flat uplands and sand dunes. The caldenal was originally featured by large sparse P. caldenia trees surrounded by a matrix of valuable thin short grasses dominated by Poa ligularis and Piptochaetium napostaense (flechillas). Shrub strata was only present in more marginal areas, as in dry slopes. Think grasses were also dominated in short (Stipa tenuis, P. napostaense, P. ligularis, Koeleria permollis), and dune grasslands (Sorgastrum pelitum). Nomadic cattle herding by Indians were widespread until mid 1800s. Major ecological changes occurred in early 1900s when livestock started being risen in fencing paddocks at high stocking rates. Sheep grazing was prevalent during the first half of 1900s and cattle grazing since then. Two severe periods of lodging for woods devastated the calendal in 1910s and 1940s. Lodging was also carried out to establish pastures and croplands. Human activities determine an increase in fire frequency. Currently, almost all calendal cover area comprises secondary forest with a poorly represented tall strata (6-10m) and well represented shrub strata. Grass strata shifted to bunch grasses of low palatability. Similarly, a shift to low valuable grasses and forbs occurred in grasslands. Woody encroachment mostly driven by the dispersion of P. caldenia seed by cattle, is a prevalent problem in both caldenal and grasslands. Woody encroachment increased the likelihood and intensity of fires. Current management focus in improving forage availability through controlled fires. However, there is need for an integrated management approach to restore degraded ecosystems.},
	keywords = {Argentina, caldera, ecology, management, savannas},
	author = {H. Raul Peinetti and Fernandez, G. and A. Kin and Morici, E.}
}
