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The Impact of Heavy Grazing on Soil Quality and Pasture Production in Rangelands of SW Spain
Author(s) -
Pulido Manuel,
Schnabel Susanne,
Lavado Contador Joaquín Francisco,
LozanoParra Javier,
González Francisco
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
land degradation and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1099-145X
pISSN - 1085-3278
DOI - 10.1002/ldr.2501
Subject(s) - pasture , rangeland , environmental science , stocking , livestock , grazing , soil quality , erosion , bulk density , water quality , surface runoff , agroforestry , land degradation , agronomy , land use , soil water , forestry , geography , soil science , ecology , biology , paleontology
Soil degradation phenomena, including water erosion and physical and biological processes, have already been reported in rangelands of southwestern Spain. The increasing numbers of livestock since 1986 have been highlighted as one of the key causes. The main goal of this work is to analyse the effects of the excessive number of animals on soil quality and pasture production on privately owned farms dedicated to extensive ranching. Soil properties and surface cover, pasture production, rainfall and land management variables such as livestock density were analysed during a period of 3 years (2008–2011). The study was carried out in 22 livestock enclosures selected from ten farms distributed throughout the Spanish region of Extremadura. The occurrence of bare soil patches and water erosion processes, as well as an increase of mean bulk density in the soil layer from 5 to 10 cm in depth, was observed in the enclosures with animal stocking rates exceeding 1 AU ha −1 . Indications that confirm the negative effects of increased bulk density on pasture production and quality were also found. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.