Floristic Composition: Dynamic Biodiversity Indicator of Tree Canopy Effect on Dryland and Improved Mediterranean Pastures

João Serrano,Luís L Paniagua,Francisco Moral,Emanuel Carreira,Mário De Carvalho,Shakib Shahidian,Eliana Machado,Alfredo Pereira

doi:10.3390/agriculture11111128

João Serrano, Luís L Paniagua + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11111128

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Journal: Agriculture	Publication Date: Nov 11, 2021
Citations: 8	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Extremadura, University of Évora

Abstract

Montado is a characteristic ecosystem of the Mediterranean region. The adequate management of this silvo-pastoral ecosystem requires good understanding of the effect of factors such as tree canopy, fertilization and soil amendment on pasture growth. The main objectives of this work were: (1) to evaluate the effect of tree canopy on soil characteristics and pasture productivity and quality; and (2) to test floristic composition assessment as a bio-indicator of soil improvements (amendment and fertilization) in each study area (under and outside tree canopy). Topsoil was characterized at the beginning of the project (October 2015) and at the end of the experiments (spring 2020). Soil parameters obtained by electronic sensors (soil moisture content, soil cone index and surface temperature) were monitored monthly during the 2017/2018 pasture vegetative cycle. Pasture productivity, quality and floristic composition were evaluated every two years (2016, 2018 and 2020) in the spring flowering period. The results of the floristic inventory were submitted to a multilevel pattern analysis (Indicator Species Analysis, ISA). Pasture biodiversity was evaluated based on the calculation of richness indices. This study showed a positive effect of tree canopy on soil fertility and pasture quality (e.g., CP). Pasture productivity, on the other hand, was higher in areas outside tree canopy. The great potential of ISA as a tool for identification of bio-indicator species was also demonstrated. Pasture species were identified as ecological and dynamic attributes characteristic of each study area, before and after soil amendment and fertilization.

Highlights

Montado is a characteristic ecosystem of the Mediterranean region, consisting of trees and biodiverse pastures grazed by animals [1]
The recommended procedure to adequately manage and to increase the productivity of these extensive production systems is based on soil fertility amendment through chemical fertilizer applications [10], which requires a good understanding of the effect of factors such as tree canopy, fertilization and soil amendment on the pasture growth, allowing managers to make informed decisions [11]
(2015–2020), two bio-indicator species associated with under tree canopy (UTC) areas and nine bio-indicator species associated with outside tree canopy (OTC) areas were identified through indicator species analysis (ISA)

Summary

Introduction

Montado is a characteristic ecosystem of the Mediterranean region, consisting of trees and biodiverse pastures grazed by animals [1]. Several studies show that, in these silvopastoral ecosystems, under tree canopy areas (UTC) have different characteristics from open or outside tree canopy areas (OTC), in terms of fertility, compaction or soil moisture [4,5] These specific characteristics (microclimate and edaphic) created by the trees, associated with the animal grazing effect, differentially 4.0/). Pastures constitute the essential food resource for herbivores animals (mainly sheep and cows) in extensive livestock systems and prevent the consumption of supplementary feed (and the consequent economic cost) during the growing season [2,8] These dryland pastures have low productivity [6], as they predominantly occupy poor and acid Cambisols and are subject to a marked seasonal and inter-annual variability of temperature and, especially, of the distribution of precipitation along the productive seasons (autumn, winter and spring), followed by summer drought stress [9]. The recommended procedure to adequately manage and to increase the productivity of these extensive production systems is based on soil fertility amendment through chemical fertilizer applications [10], which requires a good understanding of the effect of factors such as tree canopy, fertilization and soil amendment on the pasture growth, allowing managers to make informed decisions [11]

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