Changes Induced by Elk Browsing in the Aboveground Biomass Production and Distribution of Willow (Salix monticola Bebb): Their Relationships with Plant Water, Carbon, and Nitrogen Dynamics

• Published in: Oecologia Vol. 127; no. 3; pp. 334 - 342
• Main Authors: H. Raul Peinetti, Romulo S. C. Menezes, Coughenour, Michael B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer-Verlag 01.05.2001; Springer
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Autoecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; biomass production; Browsing; Cervus elaphus; Cervus elaphus canadensis; Colorado; Elks; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Growing seasons; Leaf area; Leaves; Plant Animal Interactions; Plants; Plants and fungi; Salix; Salix monticola; Stems; USA, Colorado; Vegetation canopies; Woody plants; Colorado; Browsing; Woody plant; Nitrogen; Carbon; Browsing (damage); Salicaceae; Vertebrata; Salix; Mammalia; Winter; Animal plant relation; Riparian; Dicotyledones; Morphology; Angiospermae; Cervus elaphus; Above ground plant part; Spermatophyta; Chemical composition; Artiodactyla; Ungulata; Salix monticola; Riparian ecosytem; Rocky Mountain National Park; Plant-animal interactions

Willows are dominant woody plants of many high-elevation riparian areas of the western USA, and constitute an important food resource for various ungulates, which tend to concentrate in riparian areas. The response of willow to browsing was analyzed in the elk winter range of Rocky Mountain National...