Western Research and Demonstration Farm

Increasing Native Plant Species Richness can Increase Ecosystem Multifunctionality under Intense Livestock Grazing

Authors: ,

Abstract

Species rich native grasslands are frequently converted to species poor exotic pastures; however, the consequences of these land use changes for ecosystem functioning remain unclear. Specifically, it is unclear whether: 1) intense livestock grazing will have similar effects in native and exotic ecosystems, and 2) pasture productivity can be increased by increasing species richness, by changing from native to exotic species, or simply by identifying the most productive species.

Keywords: RFR A9070, Ecology Evolution and Organismal Biology

How to Cite: Isbell, F. I. & Wilsey, B. J. (2010) “Increasing Native Plant Species Richness can Increase Ecosystem Multifunctionality under Intense Livestock Grazing”, Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms Progress Reports. 2009(1).