[Grazing resistance of rangeland plants]

Grazing resistance is the relative ability of plants to survive and grow in grazed systems, which can be divided into avoidance and tolerance components, based on the general mechanisms conferring resistance. The studies of resistance and tolerance thresholds will explain the reasons and mechanisms of grazing succession of plant communities. The difference of species resistant and tolerant thresholds depends on their grazing resistance strategies. Although both mechanisms are known to occur, the predominant mechanism or relative combination of mechanisms remains unknown for most species combinations and plant communities. Recognition of grazing avoidance or tolerance as the predominant resistance strategy inducing species composition shifts has important implications for grassland and pasture management.