Open AccessQuantification and comparison of ecosystem services of grasslands versus another fodder crop (maize) based on mineral nitrogen content in the 60–90 cm soil layer
Author(s) -
Halina Lipińska,
Ilona Woźniak-Kostecka,
Anna Kocira,
Wojciech Lipiński,
S Franczak,
Andrzej Bochniak
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
agronomy science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2544-798X
pISSN - 2544-4476
DOI - 10.24326/as.2021.4.5
Subject(s) - fodder , grassland , soil water , environmental science , agronomy , ecosystem , livestock , soil type , nitrogen , soil ph , grazing , grassland ecosystem , agroforestry , soil science , biology , ecology , chemistry , organic chemistry
Grasslands provide many ecosystem services. Apart from being a source of fodder for animals, grasslands regulate water and soil quality by reducing nitrogen emissions to the environment. The aim of the study was to determine the biophysical and monetary value of ecosystem services of grassland based on the “mineral nitrogen content in the soil layer 60–90 cm” indicator depending on the method of use and the type of soil, against the cultivation of maize for green fodder. The study area encompassed three provinces, different in terms of soil use, livestock population and intensity of grassland use. The investigation indicated that the value of ecosystem services provided by grasslands varied spatially and depended on the type of use and type of soil. In mineral soils, the lowest levels of this index were recorded from sites used for pasturing, while the highest levels were found under maize crops. In organic soils (without maize crops), the smallest losses of Nmin were observed in meadows while the highest losses were in pastures. Nmin losses in organic soils were higher than in mineral soils. The losses observed were highest in Opolskie Province, followed by Podlaskie Province, with the lowest losses in Lubelskie Province.