IAI-Data-CRN_012_Austin_GRASS-DEC: Relative importance of dominant grass species in a water-limited ecosystem in the Patagonian steppe

The selective removal of palatable grass species results in localized species loss from areas subject to heaving grazing, which may have consequences for carbon and nitrogen cycling. Moreover, in areas where shrub encroachment is not occurring, the changes due to human impact within functional groups may be very important.

We explored the relative importance of dominant grass species in a water-limited ecosystem in the Patagonian steppe of temperate South America. Dominant grass species from the Patagonian steppe in southern Argentina were collected and used in a manipulative decomposition experiment to examine the role of these species, which vary in palatability, in affecting decomposition and nutrient turnover. All litter types were decomposed singly and in all possible mixtures (7) over a three-year period and effects of litter quality as well as location next to the three grass species were evaluated.