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Compensatory growth of Festuca rubra after grazing: can migratory herbivores increase their own harvest during staging?

  1. A. J. VAN DER GRAAF1,*,
  2. J. STAHL1,2,
  3. J. P. BAKKER3

Article first published online: 19 OCT 2005

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2005.01056.x

Issue

Functional Ecology

Functional Ecology

Volume 19, Issue 6, pages 961–969, December 2005

Additional Information

How to Cite

VAN DER GRAAF, A. J., STAHL, J. and BAKKER, J. P. (2005), Compensatory growth of Festuca rubra after grazing: can migratory herbivores increase their own harvest during staging?. Functional Ecology, 19: 961–969. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2005.01056.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Animal Ecology Group, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, PO Box 14, 9750 AA Haren, the Netherlands,

  2. 2

    Landscape Ecology Group, University of Oldenburg, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany, and

  3. 3

    Community and Conservation Ecology Group, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, PO Box 14, 9750 AA Haren, The Netherlands

* †Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: a.j.van.der.graaf@rug.nl

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 21 NOV 2005
  2. Article first published online: 19 OCT 2005
  3. Received 14 February 2005; revised 30 May 2005 accepted 20 June 2005

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Keywords:

  • Barnacle Goose;
  • carrying capacity;
  • forage quality;
  • grazing optimization hypothesis;
  • herbivory

Summary

  • 1
    The grazing optimization hypothesis predicts increased production and quality of plants grazed at intermediate grazing pressures. Following this hypothesis, herbivores will be able to increase their own harvest by repeated grazing. We tested the predictions of this hypothesis for Barnacle Geese, Branta leucopsis.
  • 2
    We manipulated the grazing intensity of Festuca rubra swards through trials with captive geese in early spring. Levels on experimental grazing matched levels of natural grazing pressure. The growth response of individually marked tillers was measured over 6 weeks.
  • 3
    Above-ground biomass production of individual tillers was not different among different grazing intensities. Lost biomass in grazed tillers was compensated by a lower rate of senescence.
  • 4
    Grazing affected sward characteristics significantly: the proportion of dead biomass in the vegetation was reduced, and production of additional axillary tillers increased.
  • 5
    When extrapolating the experimental findings to foraging opportunities for staging geese, we calculate an increase in potential harvest for grazed compared with ungrazed swards at levels of natural spring grazing.
  • 6
    This experiment demonstrates an increase in the carrying capacity of the staging site for migratory geese through grazing. When comparing the experiment with grazing levels of wild Barnacle Geese, it is clear that current goose densities maximize potential harvest.
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