Proportion of bare ground in experimental plots.

Mean proportion bare ground at the end of the growing period [%] in experimental plots in the rangelands of the community of Loibor Siret, Tanzania. Experimental plots were monitored across three different rangeland areas: Seasonal exclosures (Alalili), dry season rangeland (DryRL) and rainy season rangeland (RainRL). Plots were clipped each month (‘month’, black and grey bars) or once after the growing period (‘season’ crosshatched bars). Half of the quadrats, containing plots, were fenced to exclude herbivores (‘fenced’, black bars and white bars with grey crosshatches), the other half were open for grazing (‘grazed’, grey bars and grey bars with white crosshatches). The graphs show the results of two growing periods: Growing period 1 (March- June 2019) and Growing period 2 (November 2019 –January 2020). Significant differences (p<0.05) are indicated by different letters of same style. Letters in squared boxes show differences between rangeland areas. Letters without boxes and not underscored show differences between clipping frequencies month and season. Underscored letters show differences between fenced and grazed plots. Vertical bars represent ± 1 s.e.