Life Sciences Commons^™

Bird Friendly Beef: Exploring The Impacts Of Regenerative Forage Production, B. Rigley, J. Gilley, Aem Johnson

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

In the eastern US, managed hayfields and pasturelands represent a significant portion of remaining available grassland bird habitat, hosting several declining species including the eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna) and the grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum). However, these working landscapes have deteriorated in their ability to support grassland birds in recent decades due to more frequent and early hay cuttings and intensive grazing. Since the conservation of grassland birds is inextricably linked to agricultural systems, for conservation to be effective, land management must aim to benefit both producers and birds. Regenerative agriculture is an emerging approach that incorporates …

Diversity And Sustainability Of The Pek Savannas Of The Lao Pdr, V Phengvichith, J B. Hacker

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The pek savannas of the Lao PDR occur in the southern half of the country and are relatively undeveloped. They are disjunct upland communities characterised by an understorey dominated by three species of Arundinaria, known locally as pek. The canopy varies from open forest to woodland. In relatively undisturbed communities, pek grows to c. 1.5 m tall, and is generally 99% pure, with tall growing grasses occurring infrequently. Higher levels of disturbance lead to invasion of shrub species and ingress of some lower-growing grasses and occasional legumes, some of which are palatable to livestock. Pek is palatable to livestock …

The Plants Database: Providing Basic Plant Information, J S. Peterson, J F. Henson, W Oaks, J T. Kartesz

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The PLANTS database provides basic plant information to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), its clients, cooperators, and the general public via the World Wide Web (Fig. 1). The foundation of PLANTS is a taxonomic backbone (checklist) of the vascular and nonvascular plants of North America (north of Mexico) and United States territories in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. Attribute data are appended to this backbone pertaining to distribution, vegetative specifications, nativity, federal and state status, crop data, growth form, growth parameters, species abstracts, and images.

Challenges And Opportunities For Revegetation In Areas Dominated By Invasive Annual Grasses, B. A. Mealor, J. A. Crose

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Invasive annual grasses (IAG) are a primary ecological threat to sustainability and ecological integrity of rangelands in the western U.S. While availability of effective tools to control IAG is increasing, ensuring compatibility of control practices with other management practices, such as seeding desirable species, is a critical information need. We summarize a series of studies investigating influences of timing, seeding depth, species selection, and planting timing with various herbicides in sites dominated by invasive annual grasses.

Contribute To A Definition Of Extensive Grazing (Mediterranean), J. Potes, J. P. F. Almeida, C. Matos, A. Teixeira

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The subject of this paper is a definition of Extensive Grazing from Extensive Systems of Animal Production in Mediterranean environments. The edaphoclimatic characterization is essential to understand the low level of primary productivity as a consequence of irregular precipitation over the year and its absence during the long, dry and hot summer. The powerless of soils justify the limited contribution of plants and make clear the necessary recovery of the soil and storage of water naturally (soil) or artificially (irrigation). Considering the IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) definition of extensive grazing it has been used the …

Regenera+.Uy: Designing A Co-Innovation Process To Apply The Principles Of Regenerative Livestock Production, Oscar Blumetto, M. Bustamante, A. Castagna, D. Caresani, G. Ciappesoni, R. Baptista, I. De Barbieri

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Consumers around the world are beginning to demand products whose production systems have environmental guarantees. Among them, those derived from regenerative agriculture have a growing demand in many markets. A comprehensive environmental assessment was carried out in 9 case studies of mixed livestock production farms (cattle and sheep) in Uruguay as a basis for the development of a system redesign process following the principles of regenerative agriculture. The results show that emission intensity was 16.0, 10.5, and 49.2 kg CO2 eq kg-1 of beef, sheep meat, and greasy wool, respectively. Also, a simulation exercise shows a significative reduction of emission …

Ecosystem Benefits Of Invasive Annual Grass Removal, S. L. Clark

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Invasive winter annual grasses (IAGs) are altering rangeland ecosystems across millions of hectares in the western US. These winter annuals outcompete native plants for soil moisture and nutrients, leading to devastating impacts on ecosystem functions. The IAG seedbank is short-lived and often does not persist beyond 3 years. Past tools for IAG control have only provided short-term control or caused injury to the native plant community, making it difficult for researchers to assess the ecosystem benefits of IAG removal. A newer herbicide option, indaziflam, provides IAG control for three or more years. Indaziflam’s extended soil residual control and tolerance of …

Below Ground Benefits Of Cactus Opuntia Stricta Under Rangeland Conditions In Laikipia, Kenya, K. T. Oduor, Jose C. B. Dubeux, W. O. Owino, M. Ruiz-Moreno, L. M. D. Queiroz, I. L. Bretas

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Cactus Opuntia stricta primarily invades arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), which form more than 80% of Kenya’s landmass. The ability of the plant to tolerate poor soils and accumulate biomass under low precipitation has resulted in studies into its potential use by pastoral communities for biofuel and livestock feed. However, few studies have assessed the below-ground benefits associated with cactus under rangeland conditions. In this study, we evaluated the root contributions of the invasives cactus Opuntia stricta under rangeland conditions in Laikipia, Kenya. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with ten (10) replicates, each measuring …

Integrating Plant Secondary Metabolites And Foraging Behavior To Enhance Animal Health In Ruminant Production Systems, J. J. Villalba, J. W. Macadam, S. Van Vliet, F. D. Provenza

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Legumes and forbs contain bioactives or plant secondary compounds (PSC) with potential to enhance animal health through their antibiotic, antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties that are evident even at small dietary concentrations. In turn, ruminants can regulate their ingestion of PSC through behavioral mechanisms that allow for the efficient achievement of homeostasis. High concentrations of PSC lead to food avoidance, whereas lower content of PSC in the diet achieved through regulatory mechanisms of ingestion could promote medicinal and/or prophylactic effects in the animal and concomitant health benefits to milk and meat products. Under this context, we discuss the restructuring of rangelands …

Ruminant Agriculture: A Tool For Climate Change Mitigation, B. L. Peterson Munks, M. Rellaford, J. Shanahan, S. Urbanowitz, F. Wang, S. Wang, Y. Zhao, E. Bender

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The quest to address and mitigate climate change has been dubbed a “wicked problem” as it involves many interconnected processes requiring a multifaceted, comprehensive approach. Animal agriculture contributes roughly 15% to CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions; as a result, a concerted effort is being made to develop and promote more climate-friendly production practices. These practices include species diversification in grasslands, improving grazing rotation, adding nitrogen amendments, and the use of feed additives to reduce enteric fermentation. Successful inter-seeding of legumes and deep-rooted native grasses increases soil organic carbon (SOC) pools in many systems by increasing the biological carbon inputs to the …

Biodiverse Forage Mixtures For Bees And Beef Cattle, J. O. C. Kubesch, S. P. Greiner, G. J. Pent, J. L. Reid, B. F. Tracey

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Introduction: Beef cattle performance in the southeastern US is limited by tall fescue (TF) toxicosis. Native warm season grasses (NWSGs) can provide alternative forage for cattle and reduce TF toxicosis. Pollinator populations, especially bees, also have been declining across North America. Introducing native wildflowers into tall fescue grasslands might improve pollinator populations. An ongoing grazing experiment in central Virginia USA is testing the feasibility of integrating wildflowers and native grasses as a way to generate ecosystem services.

Objectives: This study sought to determine whether including native grasses and wildflowers in tall fescue pasture systems could improve beef heifer performance.

Methods: …

Adaptive Multi-Paddock Grazing Of Cover Crops In Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems In Mediterranean Regions: A Review, G. A. Musto, A. Swanepoel, J. A. Strauss

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Small-grain farming systems in Mediterranean climatic regions are characterized by poor quality soils, high climate variability, and resulting heavy agrochemical reliance. The integration of continuously grazed monocrop pasture phases has improved soil fertility, crop productivity, and mitigated financial risk. However, emerging sustainability issues such as herbicide resistance, inputs costs rising disproportionately to product prices, and increasing climate variability and predictability, drive the need for ongoing innovation in crop-livestock integration. The option of growing multi-species cover crops as a dual-forage and service crop is evaluated within Mediterranean climate contexts. Furthermore, the option of subjecting the cover crops to adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) …

Medium-Term Impacts Of Grassland And Forestry Integration On The Environmental Performance Of A New Zealand Pastoral System, Michael B. Dodd, A. O. Hughes, Grant M. Rennie

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

At the IGC in 2008, we presented a paper outlining a project that aimed to improve the economic and environmental performance of a New Zealand hill country pastoral catchment farm system. This project was undertaken by engaging a wide group of sector stakeholders in visioning, modelling, planning and implementing significant land use change within a 296-hectare pastoral farm. In recognition of developing sectoral views of agricultural sustainability, the major changes involved pine afforestation, livestock production intensification, protection of waterways and indigenous bush restoration. The report in 2008 outlined the positive impacts on key farm systems and water quality performance indicators …

A Comparison Of Four Methods Of Botanical Analysis In Kentucky Cattle Pastures, Echo Elizabeth Gotsick, S. Ray Smith, Jimmy C. Henning, Christopher D. Teutsch

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Throughout the many decades of grassland and forage research, practitioners have used many different methods to assess botanical composition. While a few of these methods have proven to be accurate and efficient, there has been limited direct comparison between methods. The objective of this study was to determine an accurate and efficient method to determine botanical composition for researchers, practitioners, and students. Six farms with two pastures each were monitored across the state of Kentucky. Sampling started fall 2020 and continued through fall 2022 with measurements taken three times a year using the following measurement techniques: step point, visual estimation, …

Impact Of The Brachiaria Hybrids On Both Soil Health And Carbon Stock On Livestock Production, A. Silva, T. Madeira, D. Florian, E. A. Pizarro, R. N. Jauregui, G. Lobato, A. Santi, D. Fagundes, F. Pinheiro, A. Rieger, A. Cagliari

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Pastures occupy 30% of Earth and 80% of the entire agricultural area of the planet. To ensure food to the world and contribute to the quality of the environment, pasture-based animal production systems will also have to undergo through a more intense evolution. The intensification of tropical grasslands is an important strategy of land utilization in developing countries, contributing to increase production and minimize environmental impact through the best management practices. In this sense, the use of Brachiaria hybrids represents an excellent option, since combining the best traits of different Brachiaria species, with higher nutritive value, forage, and seed yield. …

Biodiversity And The Ecological Role Of Grasslands Environment And Territory, Elimane Lo, Makhmutov Serguei, Badim Almazov

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Biodiversity is all the living species that inhabit the planet: plants, animals, microorganisms, but also their genetic diversity and all the ecosystems in which they live. The preservation of biodiversity is vital, because the organisms that constitute it participate in the major ecological cycles of air, soil and water It is today recognized for its intrinsic value and for the functions it provides in ecosystems. The grassland and the hedges that surround them play a key role in carbon storage, water purification, biodiversity and the typicity of landscapes. They partly provide the plants necessary for feeding herds of herbivores (cattle, …

Using Functional Ecology To Predict Restoration Success In Managed Grasslands, J. Bergman

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Plants have developed remarkable functional variation over evolutionary time to cope with different environmental conditions. As a result, functional variation – measurable as functional traits above and below ground – can be found within but also among grassland communities today. The functional space covered by a community is thereby restricted by environmental factors while each single species within the community inhabits a specific niche with a certain breadth along different environmental gradients. Data from field sampling in European grasslands have shown, that species intraspecific functional variation can cover considerable amounts of possible functional spaces, hence holding the potential to establish …

The Effect Of Manipulated Conservation Margins In Intensively Grazed Dairy Paddocks On The Biodiversity Of Pteromalidae And Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Parasitica), A. Anderson, G. Purvis, A. Helden, H. Sheridan

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Conserving field margins provides an opportunity to enhance biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. The parasitoid Hymenoptera represent one of the most diverse and biologically specialised of all insect groups and play an important role in insect pest control (LaSalle & Gauld, 1993). The diversity of parasitiods in any habitat is theoretically likely to reflect the diversity of host taxa. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of field margin manipulations on the diversity of parasitoids as a wider indication of effects on general arthropod diversity.

A New System For Plant Experiments On Biodiversity Or Multi-Species Competition, John Connolly, L. Kirwan

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Considerable discussion in recent years has focused on the design of competition and biodiversity experiments (Connolly et al., 2001a; Allison, 1999). Few agronomic experiments with >2 plant species have been conducted in greenhouse conditions (Gibson et al, 1999) or in the field (Connolly et al., 2001b). In many experiments the effects of density and initial species size have been confounded. The effects of species richness and evenness also are confounded frequently. The proposed system provides a framework of design and analysis, in which to address questions of function at community level and of structure and competition at …

The Ag-Biota Project: A Preliminary Assessment Of Potential Indicators Of Biodiversity In Agricultural Grasslands, Gordon Purvis, A. Anderson, A. J. Helden, L. Kirwan

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

In compliance with European commitments to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity within agricultural land is a primary objective of current agri-environmental measures. However, there is a widespread lack of information concerning the effectiveness of agri-environmental schemes in Europe, (Kleijn & Sutherland, 2003). In large part, this is due to uncertainties about selection of appropriate biological indicators of biodiversity (Buchs, 2003; Duelli & Obrist, 2003).

Impact Of The Agricultural Use On The Biodiversity Of A Festuca Rubra Meadow, I. Rotar, F. Păcirar, R. Vidican, N. Sima

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Technological inputs into meadow ecosystems trigger significant changes in the sward. In this paper we present the effect of organic and mineral fertilisation on the biodiversity of a Festuca rubra meadow.

Long-Term Effect Of Levels Of N-, P-, K-Supply On The Shannon-Index For Two Pastures Located In Central Germany, Judith F. Oerlemans, W. Opitz Von Boberfeld

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Intensive grassland production, including the use of mineral fertilisers, has degraded the botanical diversity of grassland communities seriously (Chapman, 2001). There is little information on optimal amounts of soil nutrient availability to maintain/regenerate species-rich grassland communities. This study in Central Germany aimed to quantify the long-term effect of different N-, P-, K-supply combinations on biodiversity, expressed in terms of the Shannon-Index (Sh-Id), of 2 pastures classified as Lolio-Cynosuretum.

Is Biodiversity Declining In The Traditional Haymeadows Of Skye And Lochalsh, Scotland?, G. E. D. Tiley, D. G. L. Jones

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Species-rich haymeadows have developed on crofts in the Isle of Skye and Lochalsh Districts of north-west Scotland as a result of a century or more of traditional land use. This has involved long rotations of late cutting for hay with aftermath grazing by cattle and short breaks for cropping. The traditional haymeadows are increasingly coming under threat from changes taking place in the countryside. A survey of the main haymeadows still remaining in Skye and Lochalsh was carried out during 2003 to assess the current botanical composition, management and conservation value, and to compare with earlier surveys.

Grazing, Biodiversity And Pastoral Vegetation In The South Sudanien Area Of Burkina Faso, E. Botoni-Liehoun, P. Daget

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Grazing impact on plant diversity is dominated by two contradictory views. In some studies, it has been found to lead to an increase in diversity and in other studies to a decrease associated with dominance of a few species (Nösberger et al, 1998, Hiernaux, 1998). In an Isoberlinia doka forest ecosystem, considered as the climax vegetation in the South Sudanien area of Burkina Faso, a study was carried out to assess the impact of grazing on the diversity of herbaceous species. The Isoberlinia doka forest is one type of South Sudaniensavanna. The woody stratum is open and allowed development …

Does Niche Complementarity Explain The Relationship Between Biodiversity And Ecosystem Functioning In Managed Grasslands?, Nina Buchmann, A. Kahmen

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Niche complementarity was suggested to largely explain the positive relationship noted between plant diversity and productivity in some recent studies. This suggests that an increasing number of species exploits resources more efficiently and thus enhance ecosystem functions. This hypothesis, however, implies that niches occupied by different plant species are rather distinct so that niches from extinct or missing species stay unoccupied by the remaining species of an ecosystem. This experiment tested if plant species occupy different and distinct niches with respect to soil N uptake, being a possible functional explanation for the biodiversity ecosystem functioning relationship.

Grassland Arthropod Species Richness In A Conventional Suckler Beef Production System And One Compatible With The Irish Agri-Environment Scheme (Reps), Alvin J. Helden, A. Anderson, Gordon Purvis

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Grassland management practices, such as grazing, strongly affects the biodiversity of grassland arthropods; increasing grazing intensity causes a general decline in species richness (Morris, 2000). One of the aims of the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) is to conserve and enhance biodiversity within Irish agricultural land (Feehan et al., 2002). In order to determine the effectiveness of this aspect of REPS, one must compare the relative biodiversity of grassland under REPS with that of conventionally managed grassland. Aiming to determine whether species richness was higher in REPS-compatible compared with a standard system of management, we measured the species richness …

Contributions Of The United States Department Of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service To Conserving Grasslands On Private Lands In The United States, L. P. Heard

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The future of biodiversity in the USA is tied inseparably to activities taking place on private lands. Agriculture is by far the most important user of these lands, with about 50% or 900M acres managed as private cropland, grassland or rangeland. Decisions made by America's farmers and ranchers directly affect grasslands and their impact on food supply, biodiversity, soil protection and water quality. Agricultural programs and policies in the USA have had a large influence on the choices available to farmers and ranchers in land management. Since the 1930s, USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has been working with farmers, …

Biodiversity In Grassland: Bangladesh Perspective, B. Hossain

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The rapidly increasing human population in Bangladesh has caused widespread damage to and disturbance of natural habitats and a loss of indigenous wildlife. There are now very few, if any, extensive patches of grassland in Bangladesh and any that might remain are inundated for two-thirds of the year with no alternative refugia available. Most remaining grassland areas are fragmented, heavily used and harvested up to three times a year. Furthermore, the reed lands of northeast Bangladesh were leased out for paper production and are reported to have been entirely destroyed and settled by encroachers. Tall grasslands around rivers and lakes …

The Global Environment Programme (Gef) And United Nations Development Programme (Undp) Supporting The Conservation Of Grassland Systems In Africa, W. A. Rodgers, M. Niamir-Fuller

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) was created after the World's Environmental Summit in Rio in 1992. The GEF provides funding for developing countries to meet their responsibilities and commitments under global conventions. The GEF is the financing mechanism for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Framework Convention for Combating Desertification (CCD). The conservation and wise use of grasslands can be supported through a variety of funding opportunities. The GEF channels support through Implementing Agencies, of which UNDP specialises in technical assistance and capacity building. The HQ of UNDP is in New York. There are Regional Offices …

Undp-Gef Grasslands Project: Conserving Mountain Biodiversity In Southern Lesotho, W. A. Rodgers

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The Kingdom of Lesotho contains some 70% of the Drakensberg-Maloti Mountains, recognised as the Eastern Mountains "Centre of Biodiversity and Endemism" of southern Africa. The Mountains have globally significant plant diversity, with unique habitats and high endemism. These resources have been increasingly degraded by a grazing regime based on communal access, with reduced regulatory capability. Lack of ownership has restricted investment in conservation. Lesotho has the lowest Protected Area coverage of any nation in Africa (<0.4%). Biodiversity is thus at risk.