Premium
Further Considerations on the Debate Over Herbivore Optimization Theory
Author(s) -
DeAngelis Donald L.,
Huston Michael A.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
ecological applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.864
H-Index - 213
eISSN - 1939-5582
pISSN - 1051-0761
DOI - 10.2307/1941786
Subject(s) - herbivore , grazing , rangeland , ecology , variety (cybernetics) , compensation (psychology) , field (mathematics) , production (economics) , environmental resource management , agroforestry , natural resource economics , biology , environmental science , economics , computer science , microeconomics , mathematics , psychology , artificial intelligence , psychoanalysis , pure mathematics
Criticism of the basis and use of the herbivore optimization theory is discussed. It is argued here that evidence from theory and agricultural practice support the view that compensation and overcompensation of total primary production can occur in plant populations and communities subjected to grazing. However, whether this will occur depends on specific circumstances. Modeling and carefully designed field studies should be used to determine the responses of rangeland systems under a variety of environmental conditions and grazing intensities.