EFFECT OF GRAZING BY STEERS AND A LONG DROUGHT ON A CAATINGA LIGNEOUS STRATUM IN SEMI-ARID NORTHEAST, BRAZIL

• Autor(a) principal: Albuquerque, Severino Gonzaga de
• Data de Publicação: 2008
• Outros Autores: Soares, José Givaldo Goes, Filho, Clóvis Guimarães
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Revista Caatinga
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.ufersa.edu.br/caatinga/article/view/790
• topic: Dry woodlands; shrubs and trees; new plants; native pastures; Tabebuia spongiosa

A Caatinga vegetation was submitted to various grazing intensities (GI) by steers (1981-84) to verify their effect on ligneous stratum degradation. The study involved four GI: Heavy (1 steer/6.7 ha); Moderate (1 steer/10.0 ha); Light (1 steer/13.3 ha); Exclosure (no grazing). Areas under grazing varied from 40 to 80 ha, whereas exclosure had 20 ha. The research had two replications, occupying a total area of 400 ha. Data of woody species new plants density (NP) were determined annually in 1 m2 plots, and data of shrubs and trees density were determined by Point-Centered Quarter Method in 1982 and in 1984. NP density (Mean = 3.38 plants/m2) was neither affected by GI, nor by years, although it was highest in 1984 (3.83 plants/m2), the rainiest year. Taking into account the eight areas, there was linear relation (P