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Grasslands restoration opportunities in different habitats, with different grazing animals: Overview case studies II: Goat pastures
43-46Views:27In this summary overview, we present the findings of phytosociological surveys conducted in vegetation types subjected to goat grazing—excluding the control meadows—across seven different study sites in addition to four settlements located in Transdanubia and the North Hungarian Mountains. The areas are also evaluated from a grassland management perspective. Furthermore, we explored the potential use of two invasive species (Solidago gigantea and Calamagrostis epigeios) as goat fodder, and we included a mown meadow as a control. The primary aim was to assess the species richness and ecological value of these areas under varying levels of grazing pressure and grassland management strategies, particularly in terms of conservation and pasture use.
The most degraded plant communities were observed in Nagyréde and Kaposdada, where overgrazing had occurred. This was evident in species composition, as these areas were the least species-rich and showed significant infestation by ruderal species. In contrast, the most favorable outcomes—both for conservation and for grassland management—were found in sites that were initially mown and subsequently grazed by goats. The results suggest that vegetation types developed under light grazing pressure were more beneficial from a grazing perspective. Overall, the study indicates that a combination of light grazing and mowing is the most suitable management approach for maintaining and utilizing these semi-dry grasslands sustainably.
Additionally, both invasive species may have potential for use as fodder when harvested at appropriate phenological stages and supplemented with additional feed, although not for meat production purposes.
In this summary overview, we present the findings of phytosociological surveys conducted in vegetation types subjected to goat grazing—excluding the control meadows—across seven different study sites in addition to four settlements located in Transdanubia and the North Hungarian Mountains. The areas are also evaluated from a grassland management perspective. Furthermore, we explored the potential use of two invasive species (Solidago gigantea and Calamagrostis epigeios) as goat fodder, and we included a mown meadow as a control. The primary aim was to assess the species richness and ecological value of these areas under varying levels of grazing pressure and grassland management strategies, particularly in terms of conservation and pasture use.
The most degraded plant communities were observed in Nagyréde and Kaposdada, where overgrazing had occurred. This was evident in species composition, as these areas were the least species-rich and showed significant infestation by ruderal species. In contrast, the most favorable outcomes—both for conservation and for grassland management—were found in sites that were initially mown and subsequently grazed by goats. The results suggest that vegetation types developed under light grazing pressure were more beneficial from a grazing perspective. Overall, the study indicates that a combination of light grazing and mowing is the most suitable management approach for maintaining and utilizing these semi-dry grasslands sustainably.
Additionally, both invasive species may have potential for use as fodder when harvested at appropriate phenological stages and supplemented with additional feed, although not for meat production purposes.
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Grasslands restoration opportunities in different habitats, with different grazing animals: Overview case studies III: Sheep pastures
47-52Views:22From a land-use perspective, sheep grazing is primarily justified on sites of lower soil productivity. This is due to the grazing behaviour of sheep, characterised by selective feeding and close cropping. Such grazing promotes the development of a diverse vegetation structure, which is of high conservation value. However, under prolonged overgrazing, undesirable plant species may proliferate within the sward. The present review seeks to identify, in general terms, which species tend to become dominant on sheep pastures and which species are likely to spread under intensive grazing. Investigations carried out across several Hungarian landscape types yielded comparable results. Under high grazing pressure, Lolium perenne, Cynodon dactylon and Hordeum hystrix typically became dominant. By contrast, under low grazing pressure, Festuca pseudovina was generally found to prevail.
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Fajösszetétel és diverzitás változás kiskunsági száraz és nedves fekvésű legelőkön
15-30Views:474Investigations were carried out in wet – next to Tatárszentgyörgy, and dry grass pasture – next to Bugac, both located in Kiskunság, in the central region of Carpathian Basin. Recordings were taken every June of 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 from Tatárszentgyörgy – where cattle were grazed, and 1997, 2005 and 2010 from Bugac, where cattle and sheep were grazed. Coenological recordings were taken in three zones. The first zone ("A" zone) located 0-50 m near the stable, second zone ("B" zone) located 50-150 m from the stable, while the third zone ("C" zone) located farther then 150m from the stable. Analyses of ecological and environmental factors were based on Borhidi’s relative ecological indicators. Life form analyses were performed by Pignatti life form types. For statistical evaluation, R software was applied. Shannon diversity. Based on our results for both dry and wet grasslands, quadrates of "A" zone were well isolated from the rest of the zones. Overgrazing, which involves considerable trampling, vanishes differences among vegetations, thereby promotes weed and disturbance tolerant rich vegetation. The lowest species number and diversity could be found here. Recordings for "B" and "C" zones separated from recordings of "A" zone, furthermore, quadrates of wet and dry grasslands formed separate groups. From recordings of "B" and "C", zone perennial grass species (H caesp) and the emerging perennial (H wrap) species multiplied and these species were the indicators of grazing. The greatest lifeform richment were presented among "B" zone recordings. The amount of intensive grazing indicator species, such as creeping perennials (Hrep) was significant in "B" zone recordings of Tatárszentgyörgy. Grazing stabilised the local vegetation, but increased the ratio of disturbance tolerant species, which was confirmed by conservation evaluation. This is due to the conversion of grassland types, the transition from free grazing to switch grazing, which resulted in an intensive involvement of the more distant "C" zone as well. "A" zones fully converted; they changed into fully reliefs. Further located sample area vegetations were not homogenised by grazing and even helped the preservation of characteristic species. In the aspect of environmental protection, vigorous grazing led to a more valuable vegetation in "B" zone in an arid grassland (Bugac). According to the sample area, wet grasslands from the sandy areas of Kiskunság, preserve nature protection values and grass composition better moving away from stables, due to less grazing pressure. Drier backgrounds tolerate stronger grazing pressure (Bugac), while in case of wetter areas (Tatárszentgyörgy) – considering sustainability – grazing should be carried out with caution.
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Overutilization of Pastures by Livestock
29-35Views:508Soil degradation caused by overgrazing is a worldwide problem. The degradation of an overutilized area occurs mainly where animals prefer to spend extra time because of the attractants that are around gateways, water sources, along fences or farm buildings. High grazing pressure decreases plant density which results in changes of the botanical composition of a pasture. The effect that grazing has on a plant depends on the timing, frequency and intensity of grazing and its opportunity to regrow. Overgrazing adversely effects soil properties, which results in reduced infiltration, accelerated runoff and soil erosion. Evidence has been corroborated with high bulk density values, high dry mechanical resistance and low structural stability. The degradation of the landscape may be a short-term phenomenon and recovery is possible after grazing pressures have been greatly reduced. Management practices have been used successfully to improve grazing distribution. These practices include water development, placement of salt and supplements, fertilizer application, fencing, burning, and the planting of special forages which can be used to enhance grazing by livestock in underutilized areas.
The authors carried out their grazing experiment on the Hortobágy. The effects of overutilization by livestock on soil properties and vegetation on certain areas of grassland are presented in this paper. -
Comparative investigations of biomass composition in differently managed grasslands of the Balaton Uplands National Park, Hungary
49-56.Views:456Phytosociological and biomass samples were collected in two territories of the Balaton Uplands National Park (Hungary) dominated by grassland habitats. Samples in the Tihany Peninsula had been taken in a pasture of Hungarian Grey Cattle. Studies were broadened to four areas of the Tapolcai Basin, Badacsonytördemic (undergrazed and overgrazed pastures, hayfield, control area). The areas were suitable for following up the changes of vegetation and production in every grazing season of a year. We evaluated the changes of species composition and ground cover, the measure of possible regeneration or degradation, and the changes of these factors from the viewpoint of feeding value. Covering rates of the grassland associations have doubled and species composition has improved in the Tihany Peninsula, however, forage value has not increased, due to the change in land use in favour of the natural area that is converting into grazing field. In case of the Taplocai Basin, low number of species (20 to 30) was detected in the undergrazed pasture and the control area. About one month per year grazing time in the undergrazed area was not enough to achieve a better state for species diversity, and the amount of forage remained high. The overgrazed pasture carries a low forage value and contains a high number of weed species, despite the spectacularly high total number of plant species (38 to 39), consequently, grazing pressure has to be decreased. Although the number of species is lower in the hayfield (26 to 28), species composition and ability for forage supply is much better, showing that the proper management of the area is taken here.
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Botanical survey of a permanent buffalo pasture
23-29Views:333A botanical survey of a buffalo pasture of Dunaszeg was carried out on 14 May 2024. The study area was a French buffalo meadow (Arrhenatheretum). The results of the cenological survey were evaluated according to Borhidi's Social Behaviour Types and ecological indicator values (water demand, nitrogen demand, light demand), and the degree of degradation of the area was determined. The dominant plant species in the area was French perennial (Arrhenatherum elatius), classified as a disturbance-tolerant species with 36.09% cover. The degree of degradation of the area is close to 1 (DF: 0.99), indicating the degradation of the area due to the constant grazing every day of the year for the 3rd year. In the study area, reducing grazing pressure and occasionally introducing natural seed dispersal into the grassland management technology could be a solution to regenerating the vegetation.