Responses of plant assemblages to disturbance gradients in the northern Chihuahuan Desert

TitleResponses of plant assemblages to disturbance gradients in the northern Chihuahuan Desert
Publication TypeConference Paper
Year of Publication1995
Authorsde Soyza A.G., Van Zee J, Whitford WG, Herrick JE
Conference NameWinter Meeting of the British Ecological Society
Date PublishedDecember 19-21,
Conference LocationUniversity of Sheffield, GB
KeywordsChihuahuan Desert, disturbance gradients, plant assemblages, species diversity
AbstractAt three locations in the Chihuahuan Desert, domestic livestock-induced disturbance gradients extend outward from watering points. Soil is more compacted but less stable near the watering points. Plant species richness changes little along the gradient, but species diversity and plant biomass does increase dramaatically with distance from the watering point.