Abstract
Many semi-arid regions are composed of mosaics of woody vegetation patches and interpatch spaces. Source-sink relations occur between these two phases, enabling primary production. Recent studies from the rangelands of the semi-arid Negev in Israel reveal that bimodal distribution of stocking density creates an additional phase – livestock trampling routes. The objectives of this commentary were to highlight the impact of this modification on primary productivity, and to provide a new insight regarding the functioning of these rangelands.
Notes
For all variables P < 0.0001. Means within a column followed by different letters differ at the 0.05 probability level. Numbers within parentheses are SE of the means. Data are modified from Stavi et al., Citation2008b (*); Citation2008a (**); Citation2010 (***). (1)in the spring, at 0–10 cm depth; (2)in the autumn, at 0–10 cm depth.