Soil Properties and Plant Community Changes along a Goat Grazing Intensity Gradient in an Open Canopy Oak Forest

Understanding how the management practices of silvopastoral systems affect the long-term sustainability of oak ecosystems and what their influence is on nutrient cycling and plant community, is of great interest. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of relative grazing intensity on soil properties and on vegetation characteristics in an open canopy oak forest dominated by Quercus frainetto. The research was conducted in the area of Pentalofos, which is located in Evros region, north-eastern Greece and is grazed by goats. The distance from a goat corral was used to represent relative grazing intensity. In June 2011, soil and vegetation samples were collected along transects placed at 50, 150, 300, 600 and 1200 m from the goat corral, running perpendicular to three replicates. Soil measurements included pH, phosphorous (P) and nitrogen (N) concentrations while vegetation measurements included plant cover, species composition and diversity. Plant cover was not significantly different among grazing intensities. Species diversity, especially of the woody vegetation layer, was significantly higher in the light grazing intensity in comparison to both the heavy and the very light grazing. Heavy grazing reduced soil organic matter while it increased total nitrogen. Grazing intensity did not affect available P and soil pH. Light to moderate goat grazing could ameliorate floristic diversity and increase sustainability of oak forests in the Mediterranean region.

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Impacts of reindeer grazing on soil properties on Finnmarksvidda, northern Norway

Rangifer ◽

10.7557/2.24.4.1726 ◽

2004 ◽

pp. 83-91 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Christian Uhlig ◽

Tore E. Sveistrup ◽

Ivar Schjelderup

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Plant Cover ◽

Grazing Intensity ◽

Organic Layer ◽

Organic C ◽

Northern Norway ◽

Available Water ◽

Lichen Cover ◽

Plant Available Water

Numerous investigations have documented changes in vegetation due to reindeer grazing in Finnmark County, Northern Norway. However, rather few studies have focused on impacts of reindeer grazing on soil properties. The aim of this investigation was to identify possible changes in physical and chemical soil properties due to reindeer grazing. Furthermore, root distribution was detected. At four different locations on Finnmarksvidda three sample sites each were selected subjectively according to lichen and plant cover: A) ample, B) reduced, and C) poor lichen and plant cover. It was supposed that differences in lichen and plant cover were due to differences in reindeer grazing intensity. Results showed that the organic layer beneath ample lichen cover had an about 20% higher CEC and a 30—50% higher concentration of plant available Ca and Mg and total Mg compared to those beneath reduced ones. At sites with poor lichen and plant cover, an organic layer was mostly missing. The exposed mineral Eh-horizons at these sites had a significant (P<0.05) higher organic C content, higher CEC, concentrations of total P, Ca and K, and plant available K, when compared to E-horizons beneath better lichen covers. Rooting depth and amounts of plant available water in the rooting zone were lower at sites with reduced and poor lichen cover. A relation was found between soil organic C and CEC for all soil samples, indicating that soil organic matter is an essential key factor for soil fertility at the investigate sites on Finnmarksvidda. Assuming that differences in lichen and plant cover are related to differences in grazing intensity, results indicate that overgrazing by reindeers can cause a significant degradation of the organic layer, followed by significant losses of essential plant nutrients, a reduction in plant available water and consequently soil fertility.

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Soil hydrology and vegetation as impacted by goat grazing in Vertisols and Regosols in semi-arid shrublands of northern Mexico

The Rangeland Journal ◽

10.1071/rj17061 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 39 (4) ◽

pp. 363 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Nallely A. Carbajal-Morón ◽

Mario G. Manzano ◽

Ricardo Mata-González

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Plant Cover ◽

Grazing Intensity ◽

Soil Bulk Density ◽

Soil Hydrology ◽

Goat Grazing ◽

Heavy Grazing ◽

The World ◽

Tamaulipan Thornscrub

Shrubland ecosystems are less studied than grasslands regarding the role of domestic grazing on ecosystem degradation in the world, but particularly in Mexico. Of special concern is the paucity of research on soil hydrological responses to the impact of livestock. Here, we assessed the role that specific soil and surface characteristics play in soil hydrology as a response to goat grazing intensity in two different soil types, Regosol and Vertisol, in the Tamaulipan thornscrub of north-eastern Mexico. At each soil unit, a set of grazing regimes was identified, including heavy grazing (HG), moderate grazing (MG) and a no-grazing (NG) reference area, and selected soil properties and plant cover were evaluated. In Regosol sites, soil organic matter varied among all grazing regimes (4.6% higher on NG and 2.1% higher on MG with respect HG) and no dissimilarities on bulk density were recorded. For Vertisol sites, soil bulk density increased with grazing intensity (16% higher on MG and 37% higher on HG with respect to NG) whereas plant cover linearly decreased from 86% in NG to 29% in MG and 9% in HG sites. Soil organic matter content for Regosol, and plant cover and soil bulk density for Vertisol appeared as the best indicators of water infiltration and moisture retention for the grazing conditions assessed. Differences in those key driving variables may help explain surface hydrology responses to goat grazing in rangeland soils of Tamaulipan thornscrub ecosystems and possibly on similar rangelands around the world. Clear signs of vegetation degradation were also observed, manifested by a loss in species diversity and plant cover, especially under heavy grazing. This reflects unsustainable livestock management practices that should be avoided. This study contributes to improve our understanding of rangeland degradation processes and justifies devising more sustainable grazing management schemes.

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Soil water regimes of rotationally grazed perennial and annual forages

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/s99-027 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 79 (4) ◽

pp. 627-637 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

D. A. Twerdoff ◽

D. S. Chanasyk ◽

M. A. Naeth ◽

V. S. Baron ◽

E. Mapfumo

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Soil Water ◽

Water Use ◽

Management Practices ◽

Grazing Intensity ◽

Water Dynamics ◽

Research Station ◽

Grazing Intensities ◽

Use Efficiency

To maintain a sustainable agricultural system, management practices such as grazing must ensure adequate soil water for plant growth, yet minimize the risk of soil erosion. The objective of this study was to characterize the soil water regime of perennial and annual forages under three grazing intensities (heavy, medium and light). The study was conducted at the Lacombe Research Station, Alberta, on an Orthic Black Chernozem of loam to silt loam texture. The forages used were smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis L. 'Carlton'), meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius L. 'Paddock'), a mixture of triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack 'Pika') and barley (Hordeum vulgare L. 'AC Lacombe') and triticale. Soil water measurements were conducted between April and October of 1994 and 1995 using a neutron scattering hydroprobe to a depth of 90 cm. Surface (0–7.5 cm) soil water was more responsive to grazing intensity than soil water accumulated to various depths. For all grazing treatments and forages, both surface soil water and accumulated soil water generally fluctuated between field capacity and wilting point during the growing season. Although plant water status was not determined, no visual permanent wilting of forages was observed during the study. Differences in evapotranspiration (ET), as determined by differences in soil water were evident among forage species but not grazing intensities, with perennials having high ET in spring and annuals having high ET in summer. Estimated values of water-use efficiency (WUE) were greater for perennials than for annuals and grazing effects on WUE were minimal. From a management perspective, grazing of annuals and perennials altered soil water dynamics but still maintained adequate soil water for plant growth. Key words: Evapotranspiration, forages, grazing intensity, water-use efficiency

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Erosion control blankets, organic amendments and site variability influenced the initial plant community at a limestone quarry in the Canadian Rocky Mountains

Biogeosciences ◽

10.5194/bg-10-5243-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 5243-5253 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

A. C. Cohen-Fernández ◽

M. A. Naeth

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Plant Community ◽

Plant Cover ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Erosion Control ◽

Slope Aspect ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Processing Plant ◽

Limestone Quarry ◽

Wood Shavings

Abstract. Season of seeding and soil amendment with manure mix, wood shavings and erosion control blankets were evaluated over two growing seasons to determine their effect on soil properties and native grass establishment at a Canadian limestone quarry and lime processing plant. A season (fall, spring) of soil amending and seeding did not significantly affect revegetation or soil properties. Site characteristics such as slope, aspect, initial soil nutrients and surrounding plant communities influenced early plant community development and overall effects of soil treatments. Erosion control blankets resulted in the highest seeded plant cover and the lowest non-seeded plant cover despite not significantly changing soil chemical properties. Total nitrogen and carbon significantly increased establishment of seeded grasses and non-seeded species. Increased nitrogen and carbon in the constructed soils were best achieved through addition of manure. Wood shavings did not favour establishment of vegetation and resulted in similar, and in some cases less, vegetation than the controls. Assisted revegetation increased plant cover from < 6 to 50% and reduced cover of non-seeded species. Amendments that modified both chemical and physical soil conditions were best to increase vegetation establishment in the harsh conditions of the quarry.

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Livestock indirectly decrease nest abundance of two shrub-nesting species in Patagonian Monte Desert

The Rangeland Journal ◽

10.1071/rj19061 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 42 (6) ◽

pp. 375

Author(s):

Mariana Tadey

Keyword(s):

Vegetation Structure ◽

Management Practices ◽

Habitat Degradation ◽

Plant Cover ◽

Bird Species ◽

Grazing Intensity ◽

Positive Association ◽

Nest Size ◽

Monte Desert ◽

Nest Abundance

Domestic livestock may indirectly affect bird species through changes in vegetation structure (e.g. cover), reducing the availability of food, nesting sites, refugia and, therefore, reproduction in many ecosystems worldwide. However, it remains unclear how the effect of livestock on vegetation structure can influence insectivorous birds that use shrubs for nest construction and placement rather than for feeding. Several species from the Furnariidae family inhabit Monte Desert, Argentina, exhibiting an extraordinary diversity in nest placement and structure that allows them to survive habitat aridity. Nest abundance and size of two common furnariid species, Pseudoseisura gutturalis and Leptasthenura aegithaloides, were studied across a cumulative livestock impact gradient (livestock impact by years grazed). These bird species use large, closed-nests (~40cm and ~100cm length, respectively) built with thorny branches placed on thorny shrubs. The study encompassed nine independent rangelands within the same habitat, but with increasing livestock density, establishing a gradient in grazing intensity. In each rangeland, nest abundance, nest and supporting plant characteristics, vegetation structure and the percentage of browsing were assessed. Plant cover was lower in rangelands with higher livestock impact, and this was associated with lower nest abundance and nest size. Nest abundance of L. aegithaloides was halved, whereas P. gutturalis was decreased 10-fold comparing the extremes of the livestock impact gradient (0.06 vs 1.63 cattle ha−1×years). Nests tended to be smaller and more spherical with increasing livestock impact. The significant and positive association between nest abundance and vegetation structure together with the importance of mating and reproduction for bird lifecycles suggests that the nest abundance of these species could be used as an indicator of habitat degradation. Therefore, furnariid nest abundance could be used as a first step for diagnosing ecosystem health and designing ecologically sustainable management practices in Monte Desert. Changes in vegetation structure (e.g. cover) such as those imposed by livestock may unpredictably affect plant-associated species affecting their reproduction, demography and ecosystem biodiversity.

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Effects of Different Grazing Intensities on Soil C, N, and P in an Alpine Meadow on the Qinghai—Tibetan Plateau, China

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15112584 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (11) ◽

pp. 2584 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Gang Li ◽

Zhi Zhang ◽

Linlu Shi ◽

Yan Zhou ◽

Meng Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Carbon ◽

Management Practices ◽

Alpine Meadow ◽

Nitrogen Loss ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Grazing Intensity ◽

Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽

Soil C ◽

Carbon And Nitrogen ◽

Grazing Intensities

Inappropriate grazing management is one of the most common causes of grassland degradation, and thus, an assessment of soil properties under different grazing intensities is critical for understanding its effects on ecosystem nutrient cycling and for formulating appropriate management strategies. However, the responses of certain main elements, including soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, to grazing in alpine meadow ecosystems remain insufficiently clarified. Here, we measured carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus contents in the topmost 30 cm of soil in an alpine meadow under three grazing intensities (light, moderate, and heavy) and found clear differences in soil physical and chemical properties among different grazing intensities and soil layers. As grazing intensity increased, soil water content, carbon and nitrogen contents and stocks, and carbon to phosphorus and nitrogen to phosphorus ratios decreased, whereas soil bulk density increased. However, soil phosphorus and carbon to nitrogen ratio remained stable. Our findings highlight the negative impacts of heavy grazing intensity, in terms of soil carbon and nitrogen loss and phosphorus mineralization. Moreover, we emphasize that further related studies are necessary to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of grazing on grassland ecosystems, and thereby provide information for sustainable management practices and eco-compensation policies.

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Climate and grazing control nurse effects in an Ecuadorian dry shrubby community

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467413000692 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 23-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Carlos Iván Espinosa ◽

Arantzazu L. Luzuriaga ◽

Marcelino de la Cruz ◽

Adrián Escudero

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Plant Community ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Plant Cover ◽

Grazing Intensity ◽

Joint Effect ◽

Plant Interactions ◽

Opposite Trend ◽

Nurse Effect ◽

Nurse Effects

Abstract:Positive plant interactions have strong effects on plant diversity at several spatial scales, expanding species distribution under stressful conditions. We evaluated the joint effect of climate and grazing on the nurse effect of Croton wagneri, by monitoring several community attributes at two spatial scales: microhabitat and plant community. Two very close locations that only differed in grazing intensity were surveyed in an Ecuadorian dry scrub ecosystem. At each location, two 30 × 30-m plots were established at four altitudinal levels (1500, 2630, 1959 and 2100 m asl) and 40 microsites were surveyed in each plot. Croton wagneri acted as community hubs, increasing species richness and plant cover at both scales. Beneath nurses mean richness and cover values were 3.4 and 21.9%, and in open areas 2.3 and 4.5%, respectively. Magnitude of nurse effect was dependent on climate and grazing conditions. In ungrazed locations, cover increased and diversity reduced with altitude, while grazed locations showed the opposite trend. In ungrazed plots the interactions shifted from positive to negative with altitude, in grazed locations interactions remained positive. We conclude that the nurse effect is a key mechanism regulating community properties not only at microsite but also at the entire community scale.

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Tillage Versus No-Tillage. Soil Properties and Hydrology in an Organic Persimmon Farm in Eastern Iberian Peninsula

Water ◽

10.3390/w12061539 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 1539 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Artemi Cerdà ◽

Jesús Rodrigo-Comino ◽

Tuğrul Yakupoğlu ◽

Turgay Dindaroğlu ◽

Enric Terol ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Organic Farming ◽

Management Practices ◽

Soil Cover ◽

Plant Cover ◽

Rainfall Simulation ◽

Conservation Strategy ◽

No Tillage ◽

Weed Cover ◽

Soil Losses

There is an urgent need to implement environmentally friendly agriculture management practices to achieve the Sustainable Goals for Development (SDGs) of the United Nations by 2030. Mediterranean agriculture is characterized by intense and millennia-old tillage management and as a consequence degraded soil. No-Tillage has been widely examined as a solution for soil degradation but No-Tillage relies more on the application of herbicides that reduce plant cover, which in turn enhances soil erosion. However, No-Tillage with weed cover should be researched to promote organic farming and sustainable agriculture. Therefore, we compare Tillage against No-Tillage using weed cover as an alternative strategy to reduce soil losses in persimmon plantations, both of them under organic farming management. To achieve these goals, two plots were established at “La Canyadeta” experimental station on 25-years old Persimmon plantations, which are managed with Tillage and No-Tillage for 3 years. A survey of the soil cover, soil properties, runoff generation and initial soil losses using rainfall simulation experiments at 55 mm h−1 in 0.25 m2 plot was carried out. Soils under Tillage are bare (96.7%) in comparison to the No-Tillage (16.17% bare soil), with similar organic matter (1.71 vs. 1.88%) and with lower bulk densities (1.23 vs. 1.37 g cm3). Tillage induces faster ponding (60 vs. 92 s), runoff (90 vs. 320 s) and runoff outlet (200 vs. 70 s). The runoff discharge was 5.57 times higher in the Tillage plots, 8.64 for sediment concentration and 48.4 for soil losses. We conclude that No-tillage shifted the fate of the tilled field after 3 years with the use of weeds as a soil cover conservation strategy. This immediate effect of No-Tillage under organic farming conditions is very promising to achieve the SDGs.

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Agriculture Management Impacts on Soil Properties and Hydrological Response in Istria (Croatia)

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10020282 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 282 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Bogunovic Igor ◽

Telak Leon Josip ◽

Pereira Paulo

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Management Practices ◽

Overland Flow ◽

Plant Cover ◽

The Other ◽

Land Uses ◽

Soil Matrix ◽

Olive Orchard ◽

Sediment Loss

The objective of this work is to study the effects of traditional land uses (vineyard, cropland, and olive orchard) on soil properties, overland flow, and sediment loss in the Istria region (Croatia), by using simulated rainfall. The results showed that soil bulk density (BD) was significantly higher in cropland plots compared to the vineyard and olive orchard. No differences were observed in soil water content (SWC) and mean weight diameter (MWD). Water stable aggregates (WSA), soil organic matter (SOM), and total nitrogen (TN) were significantly higher in the olive orchard compared to the other land uses. In cropland, during the experiment, we did not identify runoff or soil losses. Runoff (Run) and sediment loss (SL) were significantly higher in the olive orchard compared to the other plots. This was very likely a consequence of tillage practices in vertic soils, the use of herbicides, low vegetation cover, as well as the incorporation of hydrophobic organic matter in the soil matrix. The principal component analysis results showed that factor 1 explained the majority of the runoff and erosion variables. Erosion rates and nutrient losses were substantially different between olive orchard plots, and vineyard and cropland. Factor 2 showed that WSA was inversely related to the available phosphorus, water holding capacity, and sediment concentration. Management practices in the studied area should use minimum tilling frequency to have plant cover and avoid erosion.

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Erosion control blankets, organic amendments and site variability influenced the initial plant community at a limestone quarry in the Canadian Rocky Mountains

Biogeosciences Discussions ◽

10.5194/bgd-10-3009-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 3009-3037 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

A. C. Cohen-Fernández ◽

M. A. Naeth

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Plant Community ◽

Plant Cover ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Erosion Control ◽

Slope Aspect ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Processing Plant ◽

Limestone Quarry ◽

Wood Shavings

Abstract. Season of seeding and soil amendment with manure mix, wood shavings and erosion control blankets were evaluated over two growing seasons to determine their effect on soil properties and native grass establishment at a Canadian limestone quarry and lime processing plant. Season (fall, spring) of soil amending and seeding did not significantly affect revegetation or soil properties. Site characteristics such as slope, aspect, initial soil nutrients and surrounding plant communities influenced early plant community development and overall effects of soil treatments. Erosion control blankets resulted in the highest seeded plant cover and the lowest non seeded plant cover despite not significantly changing soil chemical properties. Total nitrogen and carbon significantly increased establishment of seeded grasses and non seeded species. Increased nitrogen and carbon in the constructed soils were best achieved through addition of manure. Wood shavings did not favour establishment of vegetation and resulted in similar, and in some cases less, vegetation than controls. Assisted revegetation increased plant cover from < 6 to 50% and reduced cover of non seeded species. Amendments that modified both chemical and physical soil conditions were best to increase vegetation establishment in the harsh conditions of the quarry.

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