The paradox of mesquites (<em>Prosopis</em> spp.): Invading species or biodiversity enhancers?
Arid and semi-arid environments contain relatively high species diversity and are subject to intense use, in particular extensive cattle grazing. The expansion of perennial species in to the grasslands decreases the value of the rangeland, because it makes necessary to control the shrubs, which is...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Sociedad Botánica de México, A. C.
2001-12-01
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| Series: | Botanical Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.botanicalsciences.com.mx/index.php/botanicalSciences/article/view/1644 |
| Summary: | Arid and semi-arid environments contain relatively high species diversity and are subject to intense use, in particular extensive cattle grazing. The expansion of perennial species in to the grasslands decreases the value of the rangeland, because it makes necessary to control the shrubs, which is not practical in the long term. This paper is a bibliographic review of the ecological importance of the Prosopis (mequite) genus. We compiled information on all the species associated to mesquite (ca. 208 genera and 600 species from different taxa) and we propase that it is important to conserve the mesquites in order to maintain the diversity of the other associated species. We also stress the importance of mesquite as a keystone species in the balance of nitrogen and carbon in the arid and semiarid environments soils. We conclude that the conservation of the mesquites is very relevant, in particular in areas where people want to remove them and convert the environment to grasslands.
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| ISSN: | 2007-4298 2007-4476 |