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Grasslands restoration opportunities in different habitats, with different grazing animals: Overview case studies II: Goat pastures
43-46Views:220In 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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Possibilities of restoration of natural or seminatural grasslands: Papers of the „Challenges and Aspects in Grassland Management” conference held on 22-23 May 2008.
19-27Views:269The number of natural grassland restoration projects increased in the last decade in Hungary, and probably the area of restored grasslands will be significantly extended in the next years due to New National Rural Development Program. To contribute to the success of this activity, in this paper we review the most important theoretical and practical aspects of natural grassland restoration methods. In the course of grassland restoration, habitats dominated by grasses and/or sedges have been restored in place of arable lands. In order to perform “natural” restoration, we should consider the ecological conditions of the landscape, and reconstruct natural or seminatural grasslands including of native plant species. Essentially, rehabilitation of natural landscape is supported also by creating new seminatural grassland patches. The basic principles of the natural grassland restoration are:
1. When a spontaneous secondary succession starts to proceed on an abandoned field without invasion of any alien plant species, the re-ploughing of the abandoned field has to be ignored.
2. Generally, the old fields surrounded by species-rich natural or seminatural grassland pathes can succesfully be restorated. Then, as a consequence of newly restored vegetation patches the recovery of the whole landscape can be accelerated. Furthermore, by restoring isolated grassland patches surrounded by arable lands a more diverse landscape pattern could be developed.
3. Spontaneous secondary succession of grasslands should be assisted.
4. The development of typical species composition of a seminatural grassland can be promoted by methods of spreaded hay. For successful process the hay has to be cut in a habitat type similar to ones that will be restored.
5. Applying seed-mix for sowing can be useful to prevent spreading weeds drastically in the early stages of succession.
6. Ideally, the seed-mix is originated from own harvesting or gathering from similar (or the same) habitats. If it is not possible, commercially available seed-mix can be applied, in which the dominant species is the same as in the restored habitat, with similar proportion.
7. Seed-mix consists of alien species has to be avoided.
8. If the composition or structure of the restored grassland is not appropriate after some years, the renewal of the grassland could be necessary. During the improvement process the reploughing of the restored grassland is avoided, but spreading seeds or hay, and direct sowing can be applied.
9. The loading of nutrient is not necessary in any stages of grassland restoration.
10. Applying chemicals is avoided; any herbicides can be used only when extensive invasion of alien plant species occurs.
11. The mechanical intrusions on soil are also avoided.
12. The restored grasslands is required regular or continuous management, which could be a preserving mowing or moderate grazing. The aspects of nature conservation should be considered.
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Grassland restoration practices in the Őrjeg area of the Kalocsa-Sárköz region I.
43-49Views:111The conservation and sustainable management of grasslands are of key importance from both nature conservation and grassland management perspectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of grassland restoration interventions carried out in areas with a well-documented land-use history. The study was conducted at two sample sites located in the Őrjeg area of the Kalocsa-Sárköz landscape unit of the Great Hungarian Plain, near Homokmégy. Following unsuccessful afforestation attempts, both sites were subjected to shrub removal over several years, after which cattle grazing was introduced. At one site, grazing was complemented by regular maintenance mowing, whereas at the other site this practice was omitted. One of the sample sites was further subdivided into a drier and a more mesic section in order to assess the influence of microhabitat differences.
In 2025, six phytosociological relevés were recorded at each site. Our results indicate that mechanical treatments following shrub removal, combined with grazing and maintenance mowing, promote the regeneration of grassland structure and species composition more effectively than grazing alone. From both conservation and grassland management perspectives, treatments integrating grazing with regular maintenance mowing proved to be more successful. Under the studied conditions, the absence of maintenance mowing limited the achievement of restoration objectives, suggesting that its reintroduction should be considered in future management practices. -
The effect of mowing and pasturing on grassland vegetation in Mátra Mauntains (Parádóhuta)
19-23.Views:365We carried out our surveys on grasslands near Parádóhuta. The sample area was a mountain grassland (Festucetum rubrae-Cynosuretum Tx. 1940, Soó 1957), which was mowed until 2013, then foraged with borzderes and racka cattle within the framework of nature conservation management for two years, and after that it became mowed again. We analysed the effects of foraging and mowing between 2013 and 2019.
Our goals were the following: to disclose the vegetation of the sample areas (i), surveying the natural regeneration of the grassland and analysing, valuing the effect of mowing and foraging on grasslands (ii); analysing the vegetation in terms of nature conservation and valuing its life form spectrum (iii).
The analysed grassland was very diverse in 2013, we noticed well differentiated Nardus stricta patches. In 2015 the vegetation became more mosaic-like because of heavy pasturing: animals have grazed arboreals and Nardus in lesser amount, but species diversity declined and coverage of shrub remained the same. In the last years of the survey foraging stopped, and mowing began, which increased the coverage of herbaceous plants, which approximated the values of the first years. According to our results, on these habitats systematic mowing has a much more positive effect on biodiversity and coverage of species marking naturalness.
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Grasslands restoration opportunities in different habitats, with different grazing animals: Overview case studies III: Sheep pastures
47-52Views:182From 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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Grasslands restoration opportunities in different habitats, with different grazing animals. Overview case studies I: wooded pastures, deforestation: Áttekintő esettanulmányok I: fás legelők, erdőirtások
41-46Views:977Since 1992, data on the vegetation of the various grasslands in the country have been collected continuously and in recent years the vegetation of these areas has been surveyed repeatedly to monitor changes. Our aim has been to identify the conservation values and grassland management values of grasslands grazed by different animals, grasslands and wooded pastures that have been planted or restored. In the Pannonian region, we have also carried out studies in lowland mid-range, hilly areas. Areas grazed by horses, Hungarian grey cattle, sheep, goats and domestic water buffalo. The results of grazing with different animals at several study sites have been monitored and have been continuously monitored since 1994. In this paper, a brief overview of the results of the conversion of wooded pastures and deforested areas to pasture is presented.
Results from three wooded pastures and one shrubland are summarised. Results from Hungarian grey cattle sheep and Hungarian domestic buffalo pasture are summarised. In all areas, grazing was successful in maintaining habitats. The maintenance of the scrub area and the preservation of its mosaicity were best ensured in the Hungarian grey cattle pasture. Sheep were responsible for maintaining the grassland vegetation. Water buffaloes ensured the maintenance of the pasture.