Social–ecological dynamics of change and restoration attempts in the Chihuahuan Desert grasslands of Janos Biosphere Reserve, Mexico
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- 作者：T. Hruska ; D. Toledo ; R. Sierra-Corona ; V. Solis-Gracia
- 关键词：Land use change ; Shrub encroachment ; Ejido ; Grazing ; Restoration ; Mexico
- 刊名：Plant Ecology
- 出版年：2017
- 出版时间：January 2017
- 年：2017
- 卷：218
- 期：1
- 页码：67-80
- 全文大小：
- 刊物类别：Biomedical and Life Sciences
- 刊物主题：Ecology; Plant Ecology; Community & Population Ecology; Terrestial Ecology; Applied Ecology; Biodiversity;
- 出版者：Springer Netherlands
- ISSN：1573-5052
- 卷排序：218
文摘
Shrub encroachment and declining grass production are widespread throughout the grasslands and savannas of the Mexico–US borderlands, with negative consequences for ecosystem services, livestock production, and native biodiversity. The problem suggests a complex interaction of social and ecological drivers that are not well understood. Using the Chihuahuan Desert grasslands of the Janos Biosphere Reserve of northern Mexico as a case study, we sought to understand the social–ecological context that shaped landscape change. Our approach included a synthesis of the historical literature and interviews with local residents, with the goal of facilitating long-term grassland restoration. Findings indicate that recent changes in Chihuahuan Desert grasslands are likely related to the co-occurrence of heavy grazing, fire suppression, and the elimination of key species, including prairie dogs and native ungulates. Local residents widely perceive both fire and prairie dogs to be destructive to grasslands and livelihoods. Over the last 50 years, evolving land tenure policies have fragmented the landscape into smaller parcels which typically produce an insufficient livelihood from cattle despite high stocking rates. Declining cattle profitability has motivated the sale and conversion of rangelands to more profitable croplands irrigated with groundwater. Since the founding of the Janos Biosphere Reserve in 2009, universities, local cattle operators, conservation organizations, and federal agencies have begun collaborating on restoration activities. While complete restoration of grasslands is unlikely, progress appears possible largely because of the willingness of local residents to try new management practices that may improve their ability to benefit from the land.