title: Impact of grazing on the species richness of plant communities in Mediterranean temporary pools (western Morocco).
abstract: The impact of grazing on the vegetation of Moroccan temporary pools has been studied at 2 scales: regional (inter-pools) and local (intra-pools). Half of the 16 forest pools studied is located in a reserve and ungrazed. The other half, located within public forest, is grazed. Vegetation relevés coupled to water-depths measurements were carried out in each pool. The results showed a significant effect of grazing on both scales of analysis. This effect was found in the species composition of the vegetation, which differed between the 2 types of pools, and in the lower species richness and abundance of plant species in the grazed pools. These differences are interpreted as resulting from the selection by herbivores and the differential tolerance of species to disturbance. These impacts are likely to expose certain species to local extinction by reducing their populations.
authors.affiliation: Hassan II Aïn Chock University, Faculty of Sciences, Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology and Environment, Maarif, Casablanca, Morocco.
authors.forename: Siham
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bouahim
authors.forename: Laïla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rhazi
authors.forename: Btissam
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Amami
authors.forename: Nargis
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sahib
authors.forename: Mouhssine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rhazi
authors.forename: Aline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Waterkeyn
authors.forename: Abdelmjid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zouahri
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mesleard
authors.forename: Serge D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grillas
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D018533:Biomass; D058448:Biota; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology; D004777:Environment; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D009018:Morocco; D010944:Plants; D011891:Rain; D012621:Seasons; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D013045:Species Specificity; D053833:Wetlands
chemical_list: D012987:Soil