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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Effect Of Tannin In Animal Diet On Nitrification Rate Of Pasture Soil Under Dung Patches, J R. Crush Apr 2024

Effect Of Tannin In Animal Diet On Nitrification Rate Of Pasture Soil Under Dung Patches, J R. Crush

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The rate of formation of nitrate and ammonium in the soil under dung patches was compared for dung from animals fed either ryegrass (Lolium perenne)/white clover (Trifolium repens) or ryegrass/Lotus pedunculatus forage. Tannin derived from the Lotus did not inhibit ammonification in the soil under dung but nitrate formation was strongly inhibited. The results support the theory that polyphenolics may bind to nitrite in acid soils and cause immobilisation of mineral nitrogen. Apart from their effect of reducing the proportion of dietary nitrogen excreted in urine, tannins in animal diets may make a further contribution to …


A Comparison Of Production And Soils In Modified Mixed Prairie Community, S W. Porter, W D. Willms, J F. Dormaar, B H. Ellert, H H. Janzen Apr 2024

A Comparison Of Production And Soils In Modified Mixed Prairie Community, S W. Porter, W D. Willms, J F. Dormaar, B H. Ellert, H H. Janzen

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

This study examined the effects of reseeding a Stipa-Agropyron- Bouteloua community to monocultures of crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum (L.) Geartn.), Russian wild rye grass (Elymus junceus Fisch.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) on above and below ground biomass and indicators of soil quality. Summer fallowed wheat produced 10817 kg ha-1 and 4090 kg ha-1 of above ground below ground biomass respectively whereas the native community produced 3191 kg ha-1 above ground and 13013 kg ha-1 of below ground biomass. However wheat, crested wheatgrass and Russian wildrye grass generally showed a lower biological index, phosphatase and dehydrogenase activity.


Can You Have Your Cake And Eat It Too? Impact Of Grazing Cover Crops On Soil Properties, M. E. Drewnoski Feb 2024

Can You Have Your Cake And Eat It Too? Impact Of Grazing Cover Crops On Soil Properties, M. E. Drewnoski

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Does grazing of cover crops negate the soil health benefits of cover crops (CC)? A review of the literature was conducted to understand the soil impacts of grazing CC compared to a non-grazed CC control. Grazing CC did increase soil compaction in 50% of cases, but this increase was below the threshold that would be expected to impact root growth in most cases. It does appear that grazing under wet soils or high stocking rates can compact soil. Grazing did not affect wet aggregate stability in 83% of the studies. Soil carbon concentration was unaffected in 70% of the studies …


The Influence Of High Density Grazing And Conventional, Rotational Grazing On Soil And Vegetation Parameters In The Semi-Arid And Mesic Grasslands Of South Africa, Jamie Paulse, C. Visser, P. J. Malan, G. N. Smit, F. H. De Witt Jan 2024

The Influence Of High Density Grazing And Conventional, Rotational Grazing On Soil And Vegetation Parameters In The Semi-Arid And Mesic Grasslands Of South Africa, Jamie Paulse, C. Visser, P. J. Malan, G. N. Smit, F. H. De Witt

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

In South Africa, multi-camp rotational grazing using ‘conservative stocking rates’ have been the conventional approach to livestock grazing management systems. However, as of late, the high-desnity approach (used interchangeably – depending on the situation – with regenerative grazing, mob grazing, short duration, high pressure grazing, rapid rotation, time controlled, ultra-high density, holistic grazing and holistic resource management) has been adopted by numerous farmers. This approach is considered to be an adaptable one, incorporating the ‘herd effect’ concept, whereby large numbers of animals occupy an area for short periods of time, and allowed an extended rest period. It claims to improve …


Effect Of Litter Addition On Amino Acid Content And Composition In Alpine Meadow Soil, Yanli L. Feng, X. Y. Li, W. Z. Zong, J. Wang Nov 2023

Effect Of Litter Addition On Amino Acid Content And Composition In Alpine Meadow Soil, Yanli L. Feng, X. Y. Li, W. Z. Zong, J. Wang

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Litter plays an important role in plant-soil nutrient cycling. However, the response of soil amino acid pools to litter input is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the effects of litter addition on the content and composition of soil amino acids in an alpine meadow soil. Soil was amended with litter of its dominant species, Kobresia graminifolia, and incubated for four weeks. Our results show that litter addition significantly increased the exchangeable amino acid content and protease activity in the soil. These results are crucial for understanding the amino acid cycling in soil.


Spatial Distribution Of Soil Macroinvertebrates In A Dry Steppe (South-Eastern Siberia, Russia), K. B. Gongalsky Aug 2023

Spatial Distribution Of Soil Macroinvertebrates In A Dry Steppe (South-Eastern Siberia, Russia), K. B. Gongalsky

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Soil macroinvertebrates are important components of ecosystems. They play a key role in decomposition processes and turnover of the most of elements. Adequate estimation of abundance and biomass of these animals is fundamental for understanding their input in steppe ecosystems. Asian steppes of Russia are poorly studied. Therefore, baseline soil invertebrate composition, abundance and rules of distribution were estimated.


Grazing Effects On Spatial Microdistribution Of Soil Macroinvertebrates In A Steppe Of European Russia, F. A. Savin, K. B. Gongalsky, A. D. Pokarzhevskii Aug 2023

Grazing Effects On Spatial Microdistribution Of Soil Macroinvertebrates In A Steppe Of European Russia, F. A. Savin, K. B. Gongalsky, A. D. Pokarzhevskii

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Measures of ecosystems and their populations include biomass, production and trophic composition and animal spatial distribution. Grazing of grasslands influences spatial distribution of vegetation seriously. The same effects on soil macroinvertebrates are less well studied. Spatial distribution is usually studied at a coenosis level, and not at a studied point level, although the scale of sampling has a giant importance in estimation of organism's distribution. The aim of our study was to estimate grazing impact on large soil invertebrates in steppe ecosystems in Chernozem Nature Reserve in Russia.


Soil Enzyme Activities As Bio Indicators Of Soil Ph And Fertility In Temperate Grassland, Iker Mijangos, A. Ibarra, Isabel Albizu, Sorkunde Mendarte, Carlos Garbisu Aug 2023

Soil Enzyme Activities As Bio Indicators Of Soil Ph And Fertility In Temperate Grassland, Iker Mijangos, A. Ibarra, Isabel Albizu, Sorkunde Mendarte, Carlos Garbisu

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

In recent years, biological indicators are being used to estimate the continued capacity of a given soil to function (i.e., soil health). After all, biological processes are intimately linked with the maintenance of soil structure and fertility, being more sensitive to changes in the soil than conventional physicochemical parameters. Soil enzymes, as mediators and catalysts of vital soil functions, offer great potential as integrative indicators of soil health (Dick et al., 1996). The main aim of the current work was to study the potential of soil enzyme activities as biological (more precisely, biochemical) indicators of soil physicochemical …


Cattle Overwintering Areas In Middle-European Conditions - Important “Point” Sources Of Nitrous Oxide Emissions, M. Šimek, J. Hynšt, P. Brůček, J. Čuhel, D. Elhottová, H. Šantrůčková, V. Kamír Jun 2023

Cattle Overwintering Areas In Middle-European Conditions - Important “Point” Sources Of Nitrous Oxide Emissions, M. Šimek, J. Hynšt, P. Brůček, J. Čuhel, D. Elhottová, H. Šantrůčková, V. Kamír

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in grazed grasslands are strongly influenced by animal excreta (Fowler et al., 1997). In addition, soil compaction caused by animal traffic significantly influences soil physical conditions and thus directly or indirectly impacts on the microbial processes producing N2O. In the Czech Republic pastures are mostly located in hilly and mountain areas. During the growing season, cattle are typically grazing, while during the winter the animals are concentrated near the animal house on a relatively small plot called an "overwintering area". The objective of this study was to estimate the fluxes of …


Study Of Soil Characteristics To Estimate Sulphur Supply For Plant Growth, M. Mathot, R. Lambert, B. Toussaint, A. Peeters Nov 2022

Study Of Soil Characteristics To Estimate Sulphur Supply For Plant Growth, M. Mathot, R. Lambert, B. Toussaint, A. Peeters

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

During the last decades, sulphur (S) deficiencies have been observed throughout Europe (Zaoh et al., 2002). Accurate estimation of S supply by the soil-atmosphere system is required to give advice for S fertilisers. Soil is an important S source for plants and it is therefore important to evaluate supply by the soil to avoid deficiencies or excessive S fertilisation. The purpose of this preliminary study was to estimate which soil characteristics could be useful for predicting S supply by soil. Lolium multiflorum was grown on different soils in a growth chamber and S supply was correlated with soil characteristics.


The Effect Of Forage Legumes On Mineral Nitrogen Content In Soil, M. Isolahti, A. Huuskonen, M. Tuori, Oiva Nissinen, R. Nevalainen Nov 2022

The Effect Of Forage Legumes On Mineral Nitrogen Content In Soil, M. Isolahti, A. Huuskonen, M. Tuori, Oiva Nissinen, R. Nevalainen

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The cultivation of forage legumes is often suggested as a possibility to improve nitrogen (N) utilisation in farming. However, previous studies have indicated examples in which the cultivation of legumes such as white clover has led to accumulation of large amounts of N in soil (Adams & Pattison, 1985). In this study the potential risks of N leaching were estimated by determining amount of mineral N in the soil.


Grazing Land Contributions To Carbon Sequestration, Ronald F. Follett, G. E. Schuman Mar 2022

Grazing Land Contributions To Carbon Sequestration, Ronald F. Follett, G. E. Schuman

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Key points

1. Grazing management can be used to increase soil organic carbon sequestration.

2. Grazing land soils contain large amounts of carbon with depth, and can store it for centuries.

3. Policies to encourage terrestrial carbon sequestration through conservation and good management of grazing lands are critical for many countries and the world.


Long Term Observation Of The Grassland Vegetation Used Intensively Or Extensively And Ecologically, H.-D. Matthes, J. Matthes, W. Jentsch, V. Pastushenko Dec 2021

Long Term Observation Of The Grassland Vegetation Used Intensively Or Extensively And Ecologically, H.-D. Matthes, J. Matthes, W. Jentsch, V. Pastushenko

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The aim of the present paper was to study alterations of the grassland flora from 55 plots following a more extensive management under long term observation within 6 years. Extensification of grassland use leads to an increase of the numbers of plant species by 32%, “Red-list-species” included. The moisture number of the soils slightly increased and the reaction and nitrogen numbers decreased. Results are presented for different vegetation units.


Plant Root Mass Fraction Response To Soil Resource Limitation In The Context Of Dry Mediterranean Rangeland, Guy Dovrat Oct 2021

Plant Root Mass Fraction Response To Soil Resource Limitation In The Context Of Dry Mediterranean Rangeland, Guy Dovrat

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Root mass fraction (RMF) was proposed as a stable measurement of plant resource partitioning that can represent plant acquisition–conservation trade‐offs. We examined the effects of soil resources availability on RMF of abundant annual plant species of water-limited rangeland. We used data from controlled experiments in which nine species were grown under variable water and nitrogen availabilities and their root and shoot biomass were examined at flowering time. In legumes we examined also presence of N2-fixation. In all of the species, reduced water and/or nitrogen availability was associated with increased RMF. However, the magnitude of variation in RMF found …


Soil Carbon And Nitrogen Dynamics After Pasture Installation In The Amazon Region, C. C. Cerri, M. Bernoux, C. E. P. Cerri Sep 2021

Soil Carbon And Nitrogen Dynamics After Pasture Installation In The Amazon Region, C. C. Cerri, M. Bernoux, C. E. P. Cerri

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The objective of this paper is to present the soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics in a chronosequence made of a forest and pastures of different ages established in a Oxisol in the Western Brazilian Amazon Basin. The results of soil Carbon and Nitrogen stocks and gases fluxes were discussed. Stable 13C isotopic technique was used to calculate for a determinate age of pasture installation, the proportion of soil C remaining from the forest system and the proportion of soil C introduced by the grasses of the pasture system. The C lost from the original pool under the …


Nutrient Dynamics And Inventory In Tropical Grassland Ecosystem In Southern India, K. Karunaichamy, Kailash Paliwal Sep 2021

Nutrient Dynamics And Inventory In Tropical Grassland Ecosystem In Southern India, K. Karunaichamy, Kailash Paliwal

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The present study was to ascertain the distribution of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na) in the different plant components and in the soil top 30 cm at Kalikesam in Western Ghats region of southern India. Magnesium concentration increased in the order: dead shoots > belowground > litter > aboveground live. Sodium concentration in live shoots was maximum in February (0.51%) and minimum in August (0.05%). Annually 8.94 g/m2 Ca, 2.41g/ m2 Mg and 2.30g/ m2 Na was taken up by plants. The distribution of the three nutrients in plant/soil system indicated that the major portion of the nutrients …


Nitrogen Budgets On A Pasture Under Combined Utilization Of Grazing And Cutting, Y. Kurokawa, S. Yamamoto, Y. Iijima, M. Kitagawa, F. Omata, S. Sakamoto, H. Tanaka, S. Suzuki, T. Shioya Sep 2021

Nitrogen Budgets On A Pasture Under Combined Utilization Of Grazing And Cutting, Y. Kurokawa, S. Yamamoto, Y. Iijima, M. Kitagawa, F. Omata, S. Sakamoto, H. Tanaka, S. Suzuki, T. Shioya

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Nitrogen budgets on a pasture being utilized for both grazing and cutting were investigated. A pasture containing tallfescue, orchard grass and white clover was divided into two areas: initially grazed (IA, 0.41ha) and grazed after cutting for hay (BA, 0.49ha). A herd of 4-5 cattle (heifers or steers of Japanese Black or Holstein) grazed at IA from 22 Apr. to 2 Jul. and grazed at both IA and BA from 3 Jul. to 21 Oct. 1999. The amount of N grazed from IA was 3 times higher than the sum of N of grazed herbage and harvested hay from BA. …


Topographic Gradients In Bulk Soil Properties In Central Kentucky Karst Sinkholes, Anne Kathryn Mcgraw Jan 2021

Topographic Gradients In Bulk Soil Properties In Central Kentucky Karst Sinkholes, Anne Kathryn Mcgraw

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

The Bluegrass physiographic region of Kentucky is underlain by the late Ordovician Lexington Limestone formation. This area has many identifiable karst features, including sinkholes. Karst sinkholes and associated soils coevolve, which may influence the distribution of bulk soil properties and storage of carbon across karst landscapes. Two sinkholes on the University of Kentucky’s C. Oran Little Animal Research Center in Woodford County, central Kentucky, were selected for analysis. We described and sampled nine pedons at the dominant landscape positions (e.g., summit, shoulder, backslope, footslope, and toeslope) within the two sinkholes; we characterized the physical, chemical, and mineralogical soil properties across …


Carbon Dynamic In The Decomposer Subsystem Of The Leymus Chinensis Grassland In Northeastern China, Yong Wang, Jixun Guo Nov 2020

Carbon Dynamic In The Decomposer Subsystem Of The Leymus Chinensis Grassland In Northeastern China, Yong Wang, Jixun Guo

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

No abstract provided.


Effects Of Orchard Green Cover On Accumulation And Emission Of Soil Organic Carbon, Y. X. Wang, Boqi Weng, Z. D. Wu, Yibin Huang, Z. D. Zheng Nov 2020

Effects Of Orchard Green Cover On Accumulation And Emission Of Soil Organic Carbon, Y. X. Wang, Boqi Weng, Z. D. Wu, Yibin Huang, Z. D. Zheng

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

No abstract provided.


Effects Of Fence On Daily Variation Of Co2 Flux From The Soil In Subalpine Meadow Of Xinjiang, Ping'an Jiang Nov 2020

Effects Of Fence On Daily Variation Of Co2 Flux From The Soil In Subalpine Meadow Of Xinjiang, Ping'an Jiang

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

No abstract provided.


The Surface Water And Soil Quality By The Year‐Long Staying Management In Jeseniky Region, Marie Svozilova, J. Rzonca, P. Varekova Nov 2020

The Surface Water And Soil Quality By The Year‐Long Staying Management In Jeseniky Region, Marie Svozilova, J. Rzonca, P. Varekova

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

No abstract provided.


Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing Data Of Sunflower Rhizosphere Microbial Community In South Africa, Olubukola Oluranti Babalola, Temitayo Tosin Alawiye, Carlos M. Rodriguez Lopez, Ayansina Segun Ayangbenro Aug 2020

Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing Data Of Sunflower Rhizosphere Microbial Community In South Africa, Olubukola Oluranti Babalola, Temitayo Tosin Alawiye, Carlos M. Rodriguez Lopez, Ayansina Segun Ayangbenro

Horticulture Faculty Publications

This dataset presents shotgun metagenomic sequencing of sunflower rhizosphere microbiome in Bloemhof, South Africa. Data were collected to decipher the structure and function in the sunflower microbial community. Illumina HiSeq platform using next generation sequencing of the DNA was carried out. The metagenome comprised 8,991,566 sequences totaling 1,607,022,279 bp size and 66% GC content. The metagenome was deposited into the NCBI database and can be accessed with the SRA accession number SRR10418054. An online metagenome server (MG RAST) using the subsystem database revealed bacteria had the highest taxonomical representation with 98.47%, eukaryote at 1.23%, and archaea at 0.20%. The most …


Study Of Environmental Factors Effects On Vegetation, Case Study: Iran, A. Tavili Jul 2020

Study Of Environmental Factors Effects On Vegetation, Case Study: Iran, A. Tavili

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

No abstract provided.


Soil Factors Affecting The Distribution Of Four Salt Tolerant Range Plants In Eastern Azarbaijane Province (Gharakhlar), A. Mokhtari Asal, Sh. Rastegar, S. Kh. Mahdavi, M. R. Sadeghimanesh Jun 2020

Soil Factors Affecting The Distribution Of Four Salt Tolerant Range Plants In Eastern Azarbaijane Province (Gharakhlar), A. Mokhtari Asal, Sh. Rastegar, S. Kh. Mahdavi, M. R. Sadeghimanesh

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

No abstract provided.


Evaluation Of Grasses Raised Through Sewage Water In Musi, Hyderabad, M. Shanti, K. Narasimha Reddy, M. C. Patnaik, R. V. T. Balazzii Naaiik, T. Shashikala, Ch. Chiranjeevi, R. Susheela, M. Anuradha Mar 2020

Evaluation Of Grasses Raised Through Sewage Water In Musi, Hyderabad, M. Shanti, K. Narasimha Reddy, M. C. Patnaik, R. V. T. Balazzii Naaiik, T. Shashikala, Ch. Chiranjeevi, R. Susheela, M. Anuradha

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Growing of various crops utilizing sewage is a common scenario in many urban and sub-urban areas. The crops mostly include forage crops, leafy vegetables, vegetables and sometimes food grains. These sewage waters are known to contain undesirable constituents like heavy metals, pesticide residues besides, harmful pathogens. These undesirable components can make way very possibly from sewage to soils, plant parts; there by to even milk, thus entering into food chain. Musi, a tributary of Krishna on whose banks Hyderabad lays is the main fodder bank of the city. Thousand of hactares of land resembling vast grassland ecosystem is under cultivation …


Mineral Status Of Livestock, Soil, Feeds And Fodders In Ajmer District Of Rajasthan, Sheela Choudhary, Ramkesh Meena, Sunil Dutt Choudhary, Poonam Yadav Mar 2020

Mineral Status Of Livestock, Soil, Feeds And Fodders In Ajmer District Of Rajasthan, Sheela Choudhary, Ramkesh Meena, Sunil Dutt Choudhary, Poonam Yadav

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

A large number of Indian livestock suffer from deficiencies or imbalances in minerals because they are mainly maintained on crop residue based rations and grazing without access to mineral supplement (Mc Dowell et al., 1993). Deficiency or imbalance of single or multiple minerals results in enzymatic dysfunction and hormonal imbalance associated with fertility of animals (Maurice, 2003). In India where dietary concentration of fodder fed to the animals are unknown or highly variable due to availability, season, location, forage, species and animal potential (Sharma et al., 2003), it is important to determine plasma mineral concentrations in animal region wise, …


Research On Soil Carbon Storage Of Alpine Grassland Under Different Uses In Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Tao Li, Youmin Gan, Lei Ji, Shujing Yang, Zhongqi Song Feb 2020

Research On Soil Carbon Storage Of Alpine Grassland Under Different Uses In Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Tao Li, Youmin Gan, Lei Ji, Shujing Yang, Zhongqi Song

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

In recent years, with the temperature rising on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, studies have shown that (Shaoqing Wang et al. 1999; Yuchun Qi et al. 2003) the plateau permafrost has great potential for emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon, nitrogen, because of the remarkable permafrost thermal sensitivity. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is a special geographical and ecological unit, which has an important role in global climate change. The study of soil carbon storage of grassland ecosystems in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its distribution characteristics allow the evaluation of different land management. The carbon cycle response and feedback effects of …


The Changing Patterns In Grasslands And Soil Fertility Along The Eastern Eurasian Steppe Transect Across China–Mongolia–Russia, Xiangyang Hou, Leonid Ubugunov, S. Tserendash, Haijun Chen, Wenjun Han, Xiangjun Yun, Ding Yong, Wang Zhen, Lei Ji Feb 2020

The Changing Patterns In Grasslands And Soil Fertility Along The Eastern Eurasian Steppe Transect Across China–Mongolia–Russia, Xiangyang Hou, Leonid Ubugunov, S. Tserendash, Haijun Chen, Wenjun Han, Xiangjun Yun, Ding Yong, Wang Zhen, Lei Ji

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

This paper analyses the adaptation and change in species along the north-south Eastern Eurasian Steppe Transect across China – Mongolia – Russia and considers the implications for climate change and management. The plant community diversity, above-ground biomass, N:P ratios of community and of dominant species, soil N (nitrogen), soil P (phosphorus) and AP (available phosphorus) contents were studied along a 1400 km north-south transect. The main findings were: (1) the community diversity and productivity decreased with the increase in latitude and a significant negative correlation was found between the many plant characteristics and latitude (P < 0.05) – decreasing diversity, biomass and N:P ratios; (2) soil AP content was lowest in Inner Mongolia, whereas no significant change in soil total P with latitude was found in China-Mongolia-Russia transect, a significant positive correlation was detected between the soil nutrient (N and AP) and latitude (P < 0.05); (3) a significant positive correlation was evident between plant community P content and soil AP content (P < 0.01), but a negative correlation was found between community N:P ratio and soil AP content (P < 0.05). The soil AP content can be used as a soil properties indicator to reflect the plant communities P content and N: P ratio. It is suggested that greater human activities in Inner Mongolia may be an important factor affecting soil AP content, community N:P and plant growth.


Patch-Differentiation Of Vegetation And Nutrient Cycling In An Extensive Pasture System, Bettina Tonn, Anika Wirsig, Manfred Kayser, Nicole Wrage-Mönnig, Johannes Isselstein Feb 2020

Patch-Differentiation Of Vegetation And Nutrient Cycling In An Extensive Pasture System, Bettina Tonn, Anika Wirsig, Manfred Kayser, Nicole Wrage-Mönnig, Johannes Isselstein

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

In extensive grazing systems, ‘patch-grazing’ may lead to the development of a mosaic structure consisting of short, frequently defoliated, and tall, infrequently defoliated patches. If spatial patterns of sward structure are stable over time, this may result in a long-term differentiation of botanical composition and matter fluxes between patch types within a pasture. Patch dynamics, botanical composition and topsoil nutrient concentrations of different patch types were investigated in a long-term grazing experiment in the Solling hills, Germany, where differentiated grazing intensities have been applied for 10 years. Continuously stocked beef cattle grazed to target sward heights of 6 or12 cm …