Líffræðifélag Íslands - biologia.is
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2021
Erindi/veggspjald / Talk/poster V12
Höfundar / Authors: Hrafnhildur Vala Friðriksdóttir (1), Bryndís Marteinsdóttir (2), Ingibjörg Svala Jónsdóttir (1)
Starfsvettvangur / Affiliations: 1. University of Iceland, 2. The Soil Conservation Service of Iceland
Kynnir / Presenter: Hrafnhildur Vala Friðriksdóttir
In Iceland sheep grazing has had an immense effect on vegetation. Grazing affects the structure and composition of plant communities. First, sheep are selective grazers and can change species composition by choosing more palatable plants when available. Secondly, sheep grazing may reduce flowering and seed set, which in turn has consequences for plant recruitment. The degradation state of ecosystems could also influence the flowering success of plants as conditions in severely degraded areas can be much harsher for plants then in well vegetated areas. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of sheep grazing on flowering success in two different habitats in the Icelandic highlands. Data was gathered during the summer of 2021 in a fence experiment in two different landscapes at Auðkúluheiði, a vegetated dwarf-shrub heath and an eroded gravelly desert habitat. The results will give insight into the effects of grazing on plant communities.