gesjGEOGRAPHY, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITYGEOGRAPHY, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY2071-93882542-1565Russian Geographical Society10.24057/2071-9388-2015-8-2-45-60gesj-36Research ArticleENVIRONMENTОкружающая средаTHE IMPACT OF ROCKY TOPOGRAPHY ON SHRUBLAND HERBACEOUS PRODUCTI VITY IN SEMI-ARID ENVIRONMENTSMor-MusseryAmiramir.mussery@gmail.comBudovskyArieabudovsky@gmail.comBen Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva, IsraelRussian Federation201501062015824560Copyright © Mor-Mussery A., Budovsky A., 20152015Mor-Mussery A., Budovsky A.Mor-Mussery A., Budovsky A.Данная работа распространяется под лицензией Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.https://ges.rgo.ru/jour/article/view/36

One of the consequences of soil erosion in arid and semi-arid environments is the emergence of rocky shrublands. While their existence is well documented, gaps exist in our understanding of processes affecting the soil fertility inside them and in their surrounded environment which is crucial for their successive sustainably management. Our aims were as follows: (i) assessing the impact of various parameters (geographical, chemical and physical) on the herbaceous cover in shrublands located in arid rocky areas; (ii) assessing the impact of the rocky topography on the fertility parameters at the inter-patches and surrounded matrix areas. Geographically, the site of study is located in private family farm at Chiran area, northern Negev, Israel. It has semi - arid climate (precipitation 200 mm year-1) with hilly rocky topography. Ecologically the area is sustainably grazed shrubland characterized by patch-matrix patterns.For analyzing the impact of the above mentioned parameters we chose 24 patches belonging to different geographic groups: “Inside the rock”, “Adjacent to rock”, “Parallel to rock” and “Slopped”). From each patch we took soil and herbaceous biomass samples from predefined locations based on the geographical patterns of each group. Four methodologies were implemented for analysis as follows: (i) comparisons between the actual values; (ii) ranking the differences between the patches” sub-plots; (iii) correlating the soil parameters with the herbaceous biomass using regression analysis; (iv) spatial analysis of the different parameters based on kriging. The results demonstrate that the most influential parameter in the plots inside the patch were the Soil Organic Matter and clay content. The soil moisture in this study did not affect the area fertility. The rocky topography, together with the patch spatial patterns had high impact on the values of the examined parameters, even when compared to the surrounding matrix. Altogether, the presented results indicate that the patch fertility is affected by combination of different soil parameters and the geographic topography of a given patch. Additionally, reciprocal effects between the patches and their surrounding environment are also important determinants of fertility. The techniques and methodologies demonstrated here could be applied to other landscapes as well.

slopped patchesadjacent to rock patchesparallel to rock patchesshrublands in rocky arid areasinter-patch fertilitypatches-matrix correlationsReferencesAguiar, M.R. & Sala, O.E. (1999). Patch structure, dynamics and implications for the functioning of arid ecosystems. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 14 (7), 273-277Aguiar, M.R. & Sala, O.E. (1999). Patch structure, dynamics and implications for the functioning of arid ecosystems. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 14 (7), 273-277Bautista, S., Mayor, A.G., Bourakhouadar, J. & Bellot, J. (2007). Plant spatial pattern predicts hill-slope runoff and erosion in a semiarid Mediterranean landscape. Ecosystems 10 (6), 987-998Bautista, S., Mayor, A.G., Bourakhouadar, J. & Bellot, J. (2007). Plant spatial pattern predicts hill-slope runoff and erosion in a semiarid Mediterranean landscape. Ecosystems 10 (6), 987-998Bennie, J., Huntley, B., Wiltshire, A., Hill, M.O. & Baxter R. (2008). Slope, aspect and climate: spatially explicit and implicit models of topographic microclimate in chalk grassland. Ecological Modelling 216 (1), 47-59Bennie, J., Huntley, B., Wiltshire, A., Hill, M.O. & Baxter R. (2008). Slope, aspect and climate: spatially explicit and implicit models of topographic microclimate in chalk grassland. Ecological Modelling 216 (1), 47-59Bishop, T.F.A. & McBratney, A.B. (2001). A comparison of prediction methods for the creation of field-extent soil property maps. Geoderma 103 (1), 149-160Bishop, T.F.A. & McBratney, A.B. (2001). A comparison of prediction methods for the creation of field-extent soil property maps. Geoderma 103 (1), 149-160Fuller, D.O. & Ottke, C. (2002). Land cover, rainfall and land-surface albedo in West Africa. Climate Change 54 (1-2), 181-204Fuller, D.O. & Ottke, C. (2002). Land cover, rainfall and land-surface albedo in West Africa. Climate Change 54 (1-2), 181-204Gamma design (2013). GS + Geo Statistics for the environmental sciences ver 9.0. Michigan USAGamma design (2013). GS + Geo Statistics for the environmental sciences ver 9.0. Michigan USAFischer, R.A. & Turner, N.C. (1978). Plant productivity in the arid and semiarid zones Annual Reviews of Plant Physiology 29, 277-317Fischer, R.A. & Turner, N.C. (1978). Plant productivity in the arid and semiarid zones Annual Reviews of Plant Physiology 29, 277-317Gliessman, S.R. (1998). Agroecology: ecological processes in sustainable agriculture. CRC PressGliessman, S.R. (1998). Agroecology: ecological processes in sustainable agriculture. CRC PressHamby, D.M. (1994). A review of techniques for parameter sensitivity analysis of environmental models. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 32 (2), 135-154Hamby, D.M. (1994). A review of techniques for parameter sensitivity analysis of environmental models. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 32 (2), 135-154Jones, C.G., Gutiérrez, J.L., Groffman, P.M. & Shachak, M. (2006). Linking ecosystem engineers to soil processes: a framework using the Jenny State Factor Equation. European Journal of Soil Biology 42, S39-S53Jones, C.G., Gutiérrez, J.L., Groffman, P.M. & Shachak, M. (2006). Linking ecosystem engineers to soil processes: a framework using the Jenny State Factor Equation. European Journal of Soil Biology 42, S39-S53Katra, I., Lavee, H. & Pariente, S. (2008). The effect of rock fragment size and position on topsoil moisture on arid and semi-arid hillslopes. Catena 72 (1), 49-55Katra, I., Lavee, H. & Pariente, S. (2008). The effect of rock fragment size and position on topsoil moisture on arid and semi-arid hillslopes. Catena 72 (1), 49-55Klute, A. (1986). Methods of soil analysis. Part 1. Physical and mineralogical methods.1986 American Society of Agronomy, Inc. USAKlute, A. (1986). Methods of soil analysis. Part 1. Physical and mineralogical methods.1986 American Society of Agronomy, Inc. USALeu, S., Mor-Mussery, A. & Budovsky, A. (2014). The effects of long time conservation of heavily grazed shrubland: A case study on the Northern Negev, Chiran area. Environ Manag (53 (6))Leu, S., Mor-Mussery, A. & Budovsky, A. (2014). The effects of long time conservation of heavily grazed shrubland: A case study on the Northern Negev, Chiran area. Environ Manag (53 (6))Li, X.J., Li X.R., Song, W.M., Gao, Y.P., Zheng, J.G. & Jia, R.L. (2008). Effects of crust and shrub patches on runoff, sedimentation, and related nutrient (C, N) redistribution in the desertified steppe zone of the Tengger Desert, Northern China. Geomorphology 96 (1), 221-232Li, X.J., Li X.R., Song, W.M., Gao, Y.P., Zheng, J.G. & Jia, R.L. (2008). Effects of crust and shrub patches on runoff, sedimentation, and related nutrient (C, N) redistribution in the desertified steppe zone of the Tengger Desert, Northern China. Geomorphology 96 (1), 221-232Lloyd, C.D. (2010). Local models for spatial analysis. CRC PressLloyd, C.D. (2010). Local models for spatial analysis. CRC PressLudwig, J.A. & Tongway, D.J. (1996). Rehabilitation of semiarid landscapes in Australia. II. Restoring vegetation patches. Restoration Ecology 4 (4), 398-406Ludwig, J.A. & Tongway, D.J. (1996). Rehabilitation of semiarid landscapes in Australia. II. Restoring vegetation patches. Restoration Ecology 4 (4), 398-406Ludwig, F., de Kroon, H., Berendse, F. & Prin, H.H. (2004). The influence of savanna trees on nutrient, water and light availability and the understorey vegetation. Plant Ecology 170, 93-105Ludwig, F., de Kroon, H., Berendse, F. & Prin, H.H. (2004). The influence of savanna trees on nutrient, water and light availability and the understorey vegetation. Plant Ecology 170, 93-105Ludwig, J.A., Wilcox B.P., Breshears, D.D., Tongway, D.J. & Imeson, A.C. (2005). Vegetation patches and runoff-erosion as interacting ecohydrological processes in semiarid landscapes. Ecology 86 (2), 288-297Ludwig, J.A., Wilcox B.P., Breshears, D.D., Tongway, D.J. & Imeson, A.C. (2005). Vegetation patches and runoff-erosion as interacting ecohydrological processes in semiarid landscapes. Ecology 86 (2), 288-297McMichael, C.E., Hope, A.S., & Loaiciga, H.A. (2006). Distributed hydrological modelling in California semi-arid shrublands: MIKE SHE model calibration and uncertainty estimation. Journal of Hydrology, 317 (3), 307-324McMichael, C.E., Hope, A.S., & Loaiciga, H.A. (2006). Distributed hydrological modelling in California semi-arid shrublands: MIKE SHE model calibration and uncertainty estimation. Journal of Hydrology, 317 (3), 307-324Mor-Mussery, A., Leu, S. & Budovsky, A. (2014)a. Application of new analytical method for analyzing the areal effects of various biological groups in arid shrublands. Arid Land Research and Management 28 (2), 232-241Mor-Mussery, A., Leu, S. & Budovsky, A. (2014)a. Application of new analytical method for analyzing the areal effects of various biological groups in arid shrublands. Arid Land Research and Management 28 (2), 232-241Mor-Mussery, A., Budovsky, A. & Ben-Asher, J. (2014)b. Geostatistical methods to evaluate the response of cherry tomato to soil nitrate in organic agriculture. International Journal of Organic Agriculture Research and Development 9, 1-18Mor-Mussery, A., Budovsky, A. & Ben-Asher, J. (2014)b. Geostatistical methods to evaluate the response of cherry tomato to soil nitrate in organic agriculture. International Journal of Organic Agriculture Research and Development 9, 1-18Olsvig-Whittaker, L., Frankenberg, E., Perevolotsky, A. & Ungar, E.G. (2006). Grazing, overgrazing and conservation: Changing concepts and practices in the Negev rangelands, Science etchangementsplanétaires / Sécheresse. 17 (1), 195-9. available at: http://www.john-libbey-eurotext.fr/en/revues/agro_biotech/sec/e docs/00/04/1F/12/resume.phtml?type = text.htmlOlsvig-Whittaker, L., Frankenberg, E., Perevolotsky, A. & Ungar, E.G. (2006). Grazing, overgrazing and conservation: Changing concepts and practices in the Negev rangelands, Science etchangementsplanétaires / Sécheresse. 17 (1), 195-9. available at: http://www.john-libbey-eurotext.fr/en/revues/agro_biotech/sec/e docs/00/04/1F/12/resume.phtml?type = text.htmlPariente, S. (2002). Spatial patterns of soil moisture as affected by shrubs, in different climatic conditions. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 73 (3), 237-251Pariente, S. (2002). Spatial patterns of soil moisture as affected by shrubs, in different climatic conditions. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 73 (3), 237-251Price, D.T., McKenney, D.W., Nalder, I.A., Hutchinson, M.F. & Kesteven, J.L. (2000). A comparison of two statistical methods for spatial interpolation of Canadian monthly mean climate data. Agriculture Forest Meteorology 101 (2), 81-94Price, D.T., McKenney, D.W., Nalder, I.A., Hutchinson, M.F. & Kesteven, J.L. (2000). A comparison of two statistical methods for spatial interpolation of Canadian monthly mean climate data. Agriculture Forest Meteorology 101 (2), 81-94Sava, R. (1994). Guide to sampling, Air, Water, Soil and vegetation for chemical analysis, Environmental protection agency, Department of pesticide regulation, Environmental Monitoring and pest management branch. California USASava, R. (1994). Guide to sampling, Air, Water, Soil and vegetation for chemical analysis, Environmental protection agency, Department of pesticide regulation, Environmental Monitoring and pest management branch. California USASheng, T.C. (1990). Watershed management field manual, Watershed survey and planning. FAO (Foodand Agriculture Organization of the United Nation), Chapter 7. (Some survey techniques and examples). Published in Rome. Available online at: http://www.fao.org/docrep/006/t0165e/t0165e07.htmSheng, T.C. (1990). Watershed management field manual, Watershed survey and planning. FAO (Foodand Agriculture Organization of the United Nation), Chapter 7. (Some survey techniques and examples). Published in Rome. Available online at: http://www.fao.org/docrep/006/t0165e/t0165e07.htmSchwinning, S., Sala, O.E., Loik, M.E., & Ehleringer, J.R. (2004). Thresholds, memory, and seasonality: understanding pulse dynamics in arid/semi-arid ecosystems. Oecologia, 141 (2), 191-193Schwinning, S., Sala, O.E., Loik, M.E., & Ehleringer, J.R. (2004). Thresholds, memory, and seasonality: understanding pulse dynamics in arid/semi-arid ecosystems. Oecologia, 141 (2), 191-193Tongway, D.J. & Ludwig, J.A. (1996). Rehabilitation of semiarid landscapes in Australia. I. Restoring productive soil patches. Restoration Ecology 4 (4), 388-397Tongway, D.J. & Ludwig, J.A. (1996). Rehabilitation of semiarid landscapes in Australia. I. Restoring productive soil patches. Restoration Ecology 4 (4), 388-397Tongway, D.J. & Ludwig, J.A. (2005). Heterogeneity in arid and semiarid lands.In Ecosystem function in heterogeneous landscapes (pp. 189-205). Springer New YorkTongway, D.J. & Ludwig, J.A. (2005). Heterogeneity in arid and semiarid lands.In Ecosystem function in heterogeneous landscapes (pp. 189-205). Springer New YorkTurner, M.G. (2005). Landscape ecology: what is the state of the science? Annuals Review of Ecological and Evolution System: 319-344Turner, M.G. (2005). Landscape ecology: what is the state of the science? Annuals Review of Ecological and Evolution System: 319-344USDA, (1999). Soil Taxonomy: A Basic System of Soil Classification for Making and Interpreting Soil Surveys 2nd edition. Natural Resources Conservation Service pressUSDA, (1999). Soil Taxonomy: A Basic System of Soil Classification for Making and Interpreting Soil Surveys 2nd edition. Natural Resources Conservation Service pressXiuqin, W.U., Yunlong, C. & Tao, Z. (2011). Effects of land use/land cover changes on rocky desertification - a case study of a small Karst catchment in Southwestern China. EnergyXiuqin, W.U., Yunlong, C. & Tao, Z. (2011). Effects of land use/land cover changes on rocky desertification - a case study of a small Karst catchment in Southwestern China. Energy

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest present.