0
The best ways plants have adapted to "save" themselves from grazing pressures of animals is to have their growth points (apical meristems) at the level of the ground, not at the top. Grasses and various legumes (clovers, alfalfa, vetch, laspedenza, etc., and all grasses) that are specially adapted for grazing have their growth points right at the base of the plant, where the root essentially meets the leaf of the plant.
The reason the growth points are so close to the ground is because most grazing animals eat the tops of the plants--the must succulent and tasty part--before moving on to the next plant. Rarely (in nature) do animals keep grazing until there's almost no plant left, unless they're in a very large herd where the same plant gets eaten several times each by different animals in a very short period of time (such as the massive bison herds in upto the mid 1800's, and the wildebeest and zebra herds moving from the Kalahari to the Serengetti and back again) but gets a long rest period. Even then, the plants never get eaten down to the roots like what commonly happens in domestic situations where animals like horses and sheep, which cannot move from place to place like wild animals can, only have the one area to graze in and subsequently go back and regraze that one plant repeatedly over a long period time (this is called overgrazing).
To prevent overgrazing in domestic pastured situations, intensive management is required on part of the human caring for such animals, making use of more Fencing and planned strategies to reduce and eliminate overgrazing (and undergrazing) from occuring, with attempts to mimic the natural rhythms of wild grazing herbivores in their native habitat in a more artificial (a.k.a man-made = presence of fences) situation.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why are thorns important to plants?
Thorns are used primarily as a line of defense on various plants to prevent herbivores from decimating their population. Without them, herbivores could eat their fill of local vegetation leaving almost none to survive and breed a new generation.
Why do plants acquire more leaves during summer?
Plants acquire more leaves during summer to decrease the rate of transpiration and increase the rate of photosynthesis to store food and water to save themselves from dehydration and dryness.
How did photosynthesis lead to the development of animals living on land?
Photosynthesis allowed plants to spread over the earth, which enabled grazing animals to feed anywhere that plants could be found.
Can viruses infect plants by themselves?
no
How do plants stay in one place?
Plants stay in place by anchoring themselves with roots.
What has the author Roy A Harris written?
Roy A. Harris has written: 'Co nservation grazing management for wet meadows and marsh' -- subject(s): Forage plants, Grazing 'In tegrating conservation grazing with commercial sheep production' -- subject(s): Forage plants, Grazing 'Th e use of sheep grazing to control weeds of grassland' -- subject(s): Forage plants, Grazing 'Co nservation grazing management for maritime heath' -- subject(s): Forage plants, Grazing
Is a grazing snail a herbivore?
yes, it only eats plants
How does grazing affect competition in plant?
Grazing reduces competition in plants because the ones that survive are the ones that the animals have not eaten. The ones that are left don't need to be as competitive because there are less plants.
Why do they have thisles in the prairis?
thistles stop plants from being eaten by grazing animals, which the plants dont "want".
What do rhinos eat and how do they get it?
They eat plants, leaves and grass. They get it by grazing or browsing.
Why do pineapple plants have sharp leaf blades?
To protect from cattle grazing
How do plants protect themselves from harm?
Plants may become toxic, poisonous or distasteful to grazing animals. Some plants develop sharp spines or thorns. The holly, for instance, has spines round the edge of leaves that grow low down, while the leaves near the top may be spineless.
Why are thorns important to plants?
Thorns are used primarily as a line of defense on various plants to prevent herbivores from decimating their population. Without them, herbivores could eat their fill of local vegetation leaving almost none to survive and breed a new generation.
How do plants affect the savanna?
Provide food for grazing animals and hold the soil in place
What type of organisms are always producers?
Producers are organisms like green plants, which produce organic compounds from inorganic compounds. The plants are then eaten by consumers like the grazing animals. Plants are known as the primary producers.
Do grazing animals change vegetation by selective grazing?
Yes, definitely. Selective grazing will actually select for less-desirable vegetation, from lower-palatable plants to more weedy species. To mitigate this, selective grazing must be discouraged using managed grazing practices, which will invite a more even amount of rest for all species in that pasture or rangeland area.
What plants are there in the Savannah?
There are many Palm trees in the area and grass is one of the most luxurious plants as it can regenerate after a fire and grazing. I hope this helps
