Landscape Ecology (2005) 20:335

DOI 10.1007/s10980-005-6622-1

Springer 2005

-1

Research article

Introducing spatial grazing impacts into the prediction of moorland

vegetation dynamics
S.C.F. Palmer1,*, I.J. Gordon2,3, A.J. Hester2 and R.J. Pakeman2
1

Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Banchory Research Station, Hill of Brathens, Banchory, Aberdeenshire,
AB31 4BW, UK; 2The Macaulay Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, UK; 3Currrent address:
CSIRO Davies Laboratory, PMB PO Aitkenvale, Queensland 4814, Australia; *Author for correspondence
(e-mail: scfp@ceh.ac.uk)
Key words: Calluna vulgaris, sheep, Simulation model, Spatial heterogeneity, Ungulates, Utilisation

Abstract
Grazing by large herbivores is a major determinant of vegetation dynamics in many semi-natural ecosystems,
including the replacement of heather moorland by rough grassland in the British uplands. Herbivore foraging is
inuenced by vegetation patterns and, in turn, their grazing drives vegetation dynamics. Although vegetation
impacts are local, spatially heterogeneous local impacts can have different consequences as would the same impact distributed uniformly. We constructed a simulation model of the spatial effects of grazing by sheep on the
vegetation dynamics of heather moorland, a vegetation community of international conservation importance in
the UK. The model comprised three sub-models to predict (1) annual average heather utilisation, (2) spatial variation in heather utilisation (higher near the edge of grass patches) and (3) competition between heather and grass.
Here we compare the predicted heather utilisation and vegetation dynamics of the spatial model, relative to those
of a non-spatial model. The spatial model resulted in a reduced loss of heather cover for a given sheep stocking
rate. The model demonstrates how spatial interactions between large herbivores and their forage drive vegetation
dynamics, leading to changes in community structure and composition. Indeed, omitting spatial effects in grazing
models may lead to inaccurate predictions. We have shown that ecosystem modelling, based around an iterative
dialogue between developers and experienced researchers, has the potential to make a substantial contribution
towards the conservation and management of vulnerable landscapes. Combining modelling with experimental
studies will facilitate progress towards understanding long-term vegetation/herbivore dynamics.

Publishers Note
Due to an error by the publisher the article was published ahead of schedule. Springer would like to apologise to
the author, Dr. Owen-Smith, and the guest editor for this issue, Dr. Anderson.
The full article has been published in Landscape Ecology 19/8, p. 817827.