Moderate disturbances and shrub protection enhance perennial grass recruitment in northern Patagonia

Herbivory and fire promote changes in vegetation patches of arid environments, recruitment plays a key role their maintenance. We studied seedling dynamics seven sites with different land use histories related to grazing north-eastern Patagonian Monte, Argentina. selected shrub grazed/burned areas. On each patch, we established microsites along an under-canopy windward/leeward transect. Seedling perennial grasses (PGR) annual species (ASR) were registered on microsite. PGR was higher low-intensity disturbances, lower those severely disturbed or not disturbed. similar the leeward side, suggesting that shrubs generate for establishment side whatever surrounding disturbance. Severe disturbances promoted non-native ASR. overall low apparently, conditions enhanced ASR also decreased PGR. This situation leads replacement native-dominated community one dominated by AS. Our findings suggest cover heavily grazed this semiarid region are sustained mainly grass re-sprouting capacity, as is scarce. In contrast, have background and/or ungrazed show PGR, especially microsites. • Perennial recruited more moderately than highly/not ones. Differences only evident exposed predominant wind. Annuals lowest undisturbed maximum highly moderate burnt