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Grazing Effects On Soil Seed Banks: A Global Synthesis, Shi Yafei

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Livestock grazing is a major disturbance affecting plant diversity and abundance in terrestrial ecosystems. The intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH) predicts that moderate-intensity grazing should produce the highest species diversity, while the Milchunas-Sala-Lauenroth (MSL) model posits that the IDH is valid only for mesic areas. However, it remains unclear how grazing affects soil seed bank and whether or not the IDH or MSL models are valid for soil seed bank communities. Here, we presented a global meta-analysis synthesizing 483 observations: we found that grazing had a negative effect on soil seed bank abundance, but did not alter seed bank richness. Further …

Effects Of Different Grazing Intensities On Grasshopper Communities In Stipa Breviflora Desert Steppe, Guodong Han, Tingting Shen

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

As a common method of grassland management, grazing plays an important role in grassland conservation. Grasshoppers and large herbivores are integral parts of grassland biodiversity and food webs. However, to some extent there is still room for further research on how grasshoppers cope with grazing by large herbivores. A field grazing experiment in Stipa breviflora desert steppe in Inner Mongolia, China to investigate the effects of sheep grazing intensity on the abundance and richness of locust population and community. The grazing experiment started in 2004, and the grasshopper population and community were investigated in 2021. The results showed that: Grazing …

Carbon Sequestration Potential Of Pasture-Based Systems Along An Altitudinal Gradient In The North-Western Himalayas, Harish Sharma, K. S. Pant, Rohit Bishist, Ravinder Sharma, Uday Sharma, M. K. Brahmi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The present investigation was carried out in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh (India) to identify the pasture-based land use systems being practiced by farmers and to find out their carbon sequestration potential along different altitudes. For carrying out the study, the area was divided into four altitudinal ranges viz., zone-I (amsl), zone-II (1000-1500 m amsl), zone-III (1500- 2500 m amsl) and zone-IV (> 2500 m amsl), according to agro-ecological zones in the state. Results revealed that the pasture-based systems practiced by the farmers in the altitudinal zone-I and zone-II were silvo-pasture and pastoral-silviculture, while, at altitudinal zone-III and zone-IV, …

Integrating Grazing With 2,4-D And Florpyrauxifen To Control Broadleaf Weeds And Maintain Red Clover Productivity In Grass-Legume Pastures, M. J. Renz, G. M. Imhoff

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In grass-legume pastures, 2,4-D-amine + florpyrauxifen-benzyl controls broadleaf weeds but red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is eliminated. Grazing within a week prior to herbicide application is likely to reduce leaf surface area and may reduce red clover injury and maintain productivity. Experiments were conducted in 2020 and in 2021 to determine if red clover could be productive when 560 g ae ha^-1 2,4-D-amine + 6.3 g ae ha-1 of florpyrauxifen-benzyl with 1% v/v methylated seed oil applied in the spring was grazed before or after herbicide application. Grazing timings occurred 6, 4, or 2 days prior to herbicide …

Effect Of Simulated Precipitation On Soil Enzyme Activity Of Stipa Breviflora Desert Steppe, Ren Zihuana, Wang Zhongwub, Han Guodongb

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The availability of nutrients for the grassland ecosystem is significantly influenced by changes in soil enzyme activity brought on by precipitation. Soil enzyme activity is an essential element controlling soil nutrient supply. This study used the Inner Mongolian desert steppe as its research subject and examined how different soil enzymes—urease, alkaline phosphatase, and invertase reacted to changing precipitation levels. According to the typical quantity of long-term precipitation in the area, four gradients of precipitation were established: 50% reduction (P1), control (P2), 50% increase (P3), and 100% increase (P4). First, the findings revealed that rising precipitation can boost invertase and alkaline …

Survival Rate And Morphological Growth Patterns Of Five Populations Of Festuca Dolichophylla Under Similar Conditions, Y. Paucar, E. R. Flores, H. M. Guillén, L. Aguirre

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The majority of the natural grasslands of Perú are located in the Puna region; they are the only source of feed for raising animals in this area, and they also protect the soil from erosion. Festuca dolichophylla is a representative species with high productivity in this ecosystem. The aim of this study was to evaluate survival rate and morphological growth patterns of five populations of Festuca dolichophylla under similar conditions. Five accessions were obtained from each population: Pastales Huando Peasant Community - Huancavelica (CCPH), Lachocc South American Camelids Research and Development Center of the National University of Huancavelica (CIDCSL), Junin, …

Enhancing Milk Production Of Lactating Camels In Kenya Via Supplementation Of The Invasive Cactus (Opuntia Stricta) In The Diet, W. O. Owino, Lucy W. Ikanya, J. G. Maina, C. K. Gachuiri, José C. B. Dubeux Jr.

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Climate change leading to prolonged and recurrent droughts, changes in land use, primarily settlement of pastoralists, followed by overgrazing and subsequent land degradation, has made the highly drought resistant opuntia flourish and be aggressively invasive in the Kenya’s rangelands. Camel keeping has increasingly replaced cattle as a climate adaptation strategy and also as a result of a steady increase in demand for camel milk due to the associated nutritional and health benefits,To address the challenge of lack of pasture during prolonged drought, there is the need to utilize the invasive cactus as fodder. The invasive cactus can be a kind …

Fe And Mn Concentrations In Plants Correlated Negatively With Air Temperature Precipitation In Three Types Of Grassland, Jiao Ning, Fujiang Hou, Shengsheng Liu

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Alpine meadows, typical steppe, and deserts are globally important grassland ecosystems. We investigated the seasonal trends in Fe and Mn concentrations in the dominant species and community of plants from diverse grassland types in northwest China. It was found that seasonal Fe and Mn concentrations in most plant species were negatively correlated with seasonal precipitation, biomass, and temperature. Additionally, seasonal Cu concentrations in Reaumuria soongorica was significantly correlated with seasonal precipitation. The seasonal mean temperature explained more of the seasonal variation of the Fe and Mn concentrations in the plant community of these grasslands than precipitation, except for the concentrations …

Vicuñas’ (Vicugna Vicugna Mensalis) Diet Composition Under Community Management In The Puna Grasslands, Katherine Capuñay, Samuel Pizarro, Javier Ñaupari

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of the present study was to determine the composition of the vicuña (V. vicugna mensalis) diet at the end of the drought period (November, 2019) in the San Cristobal de Lucanas Community, in the department of Ayacucho, Peru. Eight sites were chosen, where vicuñas were observed grazing in Pajonal (tussock grassland), Cesped (short grassland), Pajonal-Cesped and Tholar-grass. For the botanical composition of the diet, fecal samples were collected in 80 dung piles, which were prepared for microhistological analysis and determined the plants consumed in the vicuña’s diet. The botanical composition of the diets in the different …

Degradation And Vulnerability To Climate Change In High Andean Rangelands, Samuel Pizarro, Javier Ñaupari

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Rangeland degradation is a process associated with loss of ecosystem equilibrium. Therefore, this work seeks to identify the most important factors that cause the degradation process of rangelands, assess the degree of degradation and vulnerability to current climate change of these ecosystems; and determine if there is a relationship between the degree of rangeland degradation and vulnerability to climate change in high Andean rangelands. The study was located in the central highlands of Peru (Ancash, Junín, Pasco, Huancavelica and Lima) and involved the design of a framework to assess rangeland degradation based on field information and Landsat satellite products that …

Grass Diversity And Pasture Quality Baseline Assessement In Central Madagascar, O. P. Nanjarisoa, L. Randriamanalina, Wayne F. Truter, M. T. Rajaonah, C. E. R. Lehmann, C. Birkinshaw, L. Rakotonirina, D. Miarinjanahary, N. L. Raharinirina, M. S. Vorontsova

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Poaceae family contributes to Madagascar’s biodiversity hotspot with 217 of 541 grass species endemic to the island, although their forage value is unknown, at least in the scientific literature. Our research aims 1) to describe the diversity of native and endemic grasses thereby recognising the role of grass species diversity in forage and ecosystem management and 2) to provide new knowledge about pasture management based on the relationship between grazing capacity and productivity within experimental pastureland plots under different fire and grazing treatments. Our study seeks to provide information to inform improvements in livestock nutrition via grazing management of natural …

Effects Of Proximity To Roads On Tissue Surface Ph, Conductivity And Heavy Metal Contents Of A Grazing Grass Species, C. Munyati, M. S. Mathole

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Globally, road networks are expanding in the countryside. Though beneficial to society, the roads potentially have detrimental effects on grazing quality. The effects are seldom quantified. In this study Eragrostis lehmanniana, a common native grazing grass in parts of the world, was examined for indicative data on the impacts of roads on grasses. Aboveground tissue samples were collected monthly on three occasions during the growing season, at the same respective locations near three high traffic highways. Non-senescent specimens were sampled along transects of up to 400 m perpendicular to the highways, starting from the road edge and then at …

Soil Seed Banks Along A Woody Plant Removal Gradient In A Semi-Arid Savanna Of South Africa: Implications For Restoration, Mthunzi Mndela, Mziwanda Mangwane, Nothando Ngcobo, Nchaupa Johannes Rasekgokga, Piet Monegi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Woody plant encroachment threatens ecosystem services and functions, thereby reducing herbaceous plant population persistence and community stability. Consequently, woody plant control projects are implemented in South Africa to restore herbaceous vegetation. Because persistent seeds drive passive restoration and vegetation trajectories, management following woody plant control entails examining soil seed bank (SSB) size and composition. However, a knowledge gap exists regarding how SSB characteristics respond along a woody plant removal gradient. This study was conducted at Roodeplaat in Gauteng Province of South Africa to assess the impact of woody density reduction [hereafter woody plant removal intensity (WPRI)] on SSB density, composition, …

An Investigation On Food Habits Of Persian Gazelle In Cheshmeh Gol Reproduction Station Of Khorasan Province, Iran, I. Mohammdi-Abiz, Kamal Naseri, Mansour Mesdaghi, H. Yazdandad

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Persian gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) is one of the most important wild species in Iran. This species prefers plain and low hill habitats which are dominated by sagebrush (Artemisia sieberi). However, due to extensive hunting and habitat destruction, the populations of gazelle were declined and this valuable species was recorded as threatened species in 2006. To rehabilitate the habitats of gazelle and improve their productivity, Cheshmeh-Gol captive reproduction station with an area of 50 hectares was established. To provide more reliable information on diet requirements of gazelle, direct observation and cafeteria feeding on captive animals were employed. …

Crop Yield Estimation And Carrying Capacity In Sar Ali-Abad Summer Rangelands Of Golestan Province, Iran, Mansour Mesdaghi, Nafiseh Fakhar Izadi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

High mountain grassland ecosystems are the best pastures of Golestan province in Iran. These grasslands are an effective means of soil conservation and offer standing green fodder for livestock. Sar Ali-abad summer rangeland with an area of 780 ha is a representative of mountain ecosystems of Golestan province. Estimating forage production to avoid overgrazing is a necessity to ensure the long-term sustainability of these natural ecosystems. To estimate rangeland productivity and carrying capacity was the major objective while, comparing three methods of clipping and weighing (CW), double sampling (DS), and comparative yield (CY) by using 1-m² plots was the …

Soil C Stocks And Soil Quality In Integrated Crop-Livestock-Forestry In Brazil, B. E. Madari, M. T. M. Carvalho, P. S. Matos, J. M. Oliveira, P. L. O. A. Machado

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Integrated Crop-Livestock-Forestry systems (ICLF) are potential carbon sinks. Here we present soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in an ICLF system at 3 and 11 years after implementation. The ICLF was implemented in 2008/2009 at Boa Vereda farm, in Cachoeira Dourada, Goiás state, Central-West region of Brazil, on a clay Ferralsol. SOC stocks were determined within and between rows of trees, hereby called alley, in three soil layers (0.0-0.3, 0.3-1.0 and 0.0-1.0 m) in 2012 and 2020. A non-cultivated pasture was used as reference. Results show a trend for increased soil C stocks at 0.0-1.0 m under ICLF system from 3 …

Natural Regeneration Of Severely Degraded Terrestrial Arid Ecosystems Needs More Than Just Removing The Cause Of The Degradation, M. Louhaichi, M. Gamoun, N. Al Hashash, F. Al-Ameer, D. Alrashedi, A. Redha, F. Alkandari, A. Niane

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Rangelands cover over 75% of Kuwait’s total land area. Most of these rangelands are severely degraded because of overgrazing, poor anthropic utilization, and mismanagement. Restoring natural rangelands is a way to increase forage productivity, enhance biodiversity, and achieve sustainable development. When degradation has not reached the point of irreversibility, natural restoration through resting is one of the best low-cost restoration techniques. This study evaluated the effect of natural restoration on vegetation cover and species richness in the desert rangelands of Kuwait. The studied rangeland was a completely fenced area of 1 km2. The percent of vegetation was measured using the …

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

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

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, …

Legacy Effects Of Herbivory Trampling On Soil Organic Carbon Via Soil Properties, Plant Biomass And Functional Traits, Lan Li, Fujiang Hou

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Herbivores are important for ecosystem biogeochemistry, including soil carbon pools. Non-trophic interactions between herbivores and soil processes have recently gained attention, but remain underexplored. They include both direct and indirect effects of herbivore behaviour and physical soil disturbance by herbivores (e.g., trampling) causing compaction, and therefore probably influence historical contingency; however, little empirical data on the persistent impact or legacy effect of trampling and subsequent drivers of shifts are available. To address the knowledge gaps described above, we investigated whether the soil organic C (SOC) is driven by the legacy effect of sheep trampling intensity (0, 40, 80 and 120 …

Belowground Productivity In Patches Of Heterogeneous Grass Swards After Nearly Two Decades Of Low-Intensity Cattle Grazing, M. Komainda, J. Isselstein

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In low-input grassland, patch-grazing leads to tall and short patches that provide different growth conditions for the grass sward. Since belowground biomass and the associated turnover represent the main carbon input to soil in grassland, we investigated within-pasture variation of above- and belowground net primary production in relation to patches over one year of production in a long-term grazing experiment during the year 2022. The analysis of above- and belowground net primary production showed an effect of patch types, partly in interaction with the month, indicating a strong variation due to climatic conditions. In those few cases where differences existed …

Grass Vegetation Dynamics In Wetlands With Different Utilization, Dorai Pandian Kannan

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The land-use patterns, combined with the biotic interactions, are likely to substantially affect the grass community of tropical wetlands. However, we need more information to understand the vegetation cover and, particularly, the diversity of grasses in the protected sites, where the naturally occurring interactions with extreme complexity. Hence a thorough understanding of these interactive effects on grass dynamics would help develop wildlife management guidelines to predict the grass-woody herbs and other associated vegetation. In light of this, a beta vegetation survey and diversity analysis in two varying wetland ecosystems of natural mountain streams and temporary ponds. Grass communities occurred along …

Nutrient Balances Of Rewetted Fens – Groundwater Lysimeter Results, J. Hoysagk, M. Pesch, F. Eulenstein, A. Behrendt

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

With the raising of groundwater levels to protect fens and the climate, there may be a risk of nutrients, such as nitrogen or potassium, leaching into the groundwater. Great amounts of nutrients, which are accumulated largely by peat forming plants like Phragmites australis and Carex spec., are conveyed into rewetted fens through high amounts of introduced water. Nitrogen leaching into the groundwater is very low even at the beginning of flooding and there is no sudden, pronounced leaching. Only a portion of potassium is taken up by plants whereas the rest might be found in the groundwater. Increasing nutrient inputs …

Carbon Storage And Sequestration Under Different Stocking Rates In A Eurasian Desert Steppe In China, G. D. Han, C. P. Gao, C. W. Han, Q. Wu, A. M. Zhu, Z. W. Gao, Y. Y. Dou

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The research on carbon source/sink of terrestrial ecosystem is an important part of global climate change. Under the sustainable grazing management, the carbon storage in grassland ecosystem will increase, which promotes the carbon sequestration in the grassland area. In order to understand the carbon sequestration in grazing system of desert steppe, a sheep grazing experiment for completely random block design was conducted in desert steppe. There were 4 stocking rates and 3 replications in this experiment. The effects of annual precipitation and stocking rate on the carbon sequestration of desert steppe were compared. The stocking rate treatments were as follows: …

Activity Budget And Foraging Patterns Of Nubian Giraffes (Giraffa Camelopardalis Camelopardalis) In Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya, Consolata G. Gitau, J. S. Mbau, R. K. Ngugi, A. B. Muneza, E. Ngumbi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

How animals decide to spend their time has a key impact on their survival and reproduction. These behavioral decisions are shaped by ecological and environmental factors, such as seasonal changes. Foraging patterns show how an animal chooses to forage in its environment as influenced by resource availability, competition, and predation risk. Giraffe activity budget has been investigated in populations across Africa and found to be influenced by body size, diet composition, and sex. The activity budget and foraging patterns of Nubian giraffes vary considerably between ecosystems. The Nubian giraffe, a subspecies of the Northern giraffe species (Giraffa Camelopardalis) …

Forage Response And Economic Benefits To Weed Management In Grasslands, E. S. Flynn, S. Ingram, B. B. Sleugh

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A common question among managers of grazing operations is “At what level of weed pressure does it become economical to apply herbicides on pastures?” Unfortunately, there isn’t just one answer to this question as production goals and practices differ between operations and even within an operation over time. Regardless, the real question being ask is if weed control will increase profit per acre.

There are three basic avenues that may be taken to improve profit per acre through weed control. The first is to increase the carrying capacity of the grazing operation by controlling weeds and replacing them with desirable …

Detection Of Endophyte Mycotoxins By Service Laboratories: Providing Answers For Safe Feed, J. Honneffer, M. Sulyok, V. Milojevic, A. Holman, Jennifer Duringer

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

. A global network of service laboratories exists to test livestock feed materials (typically grass hay and pellets) for ergovaline, ergot alkaloids and lolitrem B to ensure ‘safe feeds’ are being given to livestock. These compounds are mycotoxins produced by endophytic fungi that naturally reside in feed material. They have been purposely bred into grass species, as they enhance the plant’s survival from drought and insect predation. Unfortunately, ergovaline and other ergot alkaloids also cause vasoconstrictive effects and reproductive difficulties in livestock, resulting in a $1 million annual loss in production for the cattle industry in the USA alone. Lolitrem …

Sustainable Intensification Of Livestock Systems Using Forage Legumes In The Anthropocene, José C. B. Dubeux Jr., D. M. Jaramillo, E. R. S. Santos, L. Garcia, L. M. D. Queiroz, K. R. Trumpp

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Sustainable intensification of livestock systems implies greater efficiency in resource utilization resulting in greater output of products and other ecosystem services per unit of resource input. Strategies to improve resource use efficiency include diversification of plant and ruminant species with complementary resource use. Forages that have root systems with contrasting architecture and exploring different soil layers with complementary use of resource acquisition (e.g., nutrients, water) could enhance primary productivity. Belowground interactions with soil microbiota (e.g., mycorrhizae) is key to enhance resource utilization. Forages with complementary canopy characteristics that helps enhancing light interception and utilization could also lead to greater resource …

Grazing Cover Crops For Soil Health In An Integrated Crop-Livestock System, Forrest E. Davis, J. Brett Rushing

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

. Optimizing soil health requires building an environment that creates conditions which allow for best function of the chemical, biological, and physical properties of the soil to thrive as an organism and an ecosystem. Integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) use a systems approach to provide improvements to soil health parameters. In the fall of 2021, a randomized complete block study was conducted at the Coastal Plain Branch Experiment Station (CPBES) in Newton, Mississippi and at the Prairie Research Unit (PRU) in Prairie, Mississippi to observe the soil health effects of grazing cereal rye cover crops in a soybean production system. Three …

Short-Term Soil Organic Matter And Carbon Responses To Contrasting Grazing Intensities In Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems, Erick R. Da Silva Santos, Jose C. B. Dubeux, B. G. C. Homem, Cheryl L. Mackowiak, Lynn E. Sollenberger, D. Wright

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Combining integrated crop-livestock systems under no-till management may improve soil organic matter (SOM) build up and improve soil C sequestration. Grazing cover crops appears as a possibility to combine crops and livestock in a farm system. Further SOM and soil C increase can be achieved by adding perennial grasses into crop rotations. However, the effect of grazing intensity in such systems are not fully understood. This 2-yr study investigated short-term effects of cropping system [winter cover crops-summer cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and winter cover crops-summer bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flüggé) rotations], grazing intensity (no grazing, heavy, moderate, and light …

Productive Grasslands – The Role Of Adapted Species To Increase Ecosystems Resilience, M. B. Chiavegato, A. F. Mammana, C. Y. Rodriguez

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Producers are interested in diversifying grazing systems with native warm-season grasses. Climate variations may result in extreme weather events. For instance, recent studies show strong evidence pointing to an increasing frequency of flooding in the central US, due to changes in both seasonal rainfall and temperature across this region. In a constantly changing climate, adapted species play a crucial role in increasing ecosystems resilience and resistance to extreme weather events. Native grasses may be well adapted to the future changes on climatic conditions, with wide ecological amplitude and resistance under different conditions. Use of adapted warm season grasses, associated with …