Forage Supply Research Articles

西藏草地植物功能性状与多项生态系统服务关系探讨

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 西藏草地植物功能性状与多项生态系统服务关系 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201404160738 作者: 作者单位: 中国科学院地理科学与资源研究所,中国科学院地理科学与资源研究所,西藏自治区高原生物研究所,中国科学院地理科学与资源研究所,中国科学院地理科学与资源研究所生态系统网络观测与模拟重点实验室,西藏大学农牧学院,中国科学院地理科学与资源研究所 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学青年基金(31200364);国家科技支撑计划项目(2011BAD17B05);"西部之光"人才培养计划项目(20100309);西藏生态专项(Z2012C07G03) The relationship between plant functional traits and multiple ecosystem services in a Tibetan grassland ecosystem Author: Affiliation: Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Tibet Plateau Institute of Biology,Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling,Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing,,Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:针对植被功能性状与生态系统服务功能之间的相互关系,构建了西藏草地株高和可食性两种功能性状的9项指标,并基于土壤和植物采样,分析了9项植物功能性状指标和5项生态系统服务指标间的相关性,探讨了4种机制(Mass ratio, Selection, Niche complementarity及Insurance)在西藏草地的适用性。结果表明,9项功能性状指标中,株高Rao和可食种与所有种株高CWM比分别与土壤有机碳、土壤全氮和土壤含水率3项生态系统服务指标呈显著负相关及显著正相关。说明群落植被对光能竞争的互补性及可食性状植株在群落中的光能资源相对竞争力,与土壤固碳、肥力供给及水源涵养有显著相关关系。而群落可食种、优势种、优势种与次优势种对光能资源竞争力水平,可食植株多样性、可食植株在群落中的优势度及其光能资源竞争力均值,对草地生态系统服务无显著影响。西藏草地植物功能性状对多项生态系统服务的影响机制从光能资源竞争角度更符合Niche complementarity和Insurance理论,而从可食功能性状角度更符合Mass ratio和Selection理论。 Abstract:We studied the relationships among plant functional traits and multiple ecosystem services. Nine indicators of plant functional traits of plant heights and palatability were established, which were Rao index of plant heights, the community weighted mean value (CWM) of plant heights of all species, the CWM of plant heights of dominant species, the CWM of plant heights of dominant and subdominant species, the richness of palatable plants, the richness ratio of palatable species to all species, the ratio of palatable biomass to total biomass, the CWM of plant heights of palatable species, and the CWM of the ratio of heights of palatable plants to all plant species. The ecosystem services we analyzed included forage supply, soil carbon stocks, soil fertilization supply, water regulation, and soil retention. Further, we attempted to test four candidate mechanisms by which plant functional traits influence ecosystem services. These were:1) mass ratio, 2) selection, 3) niche complementarity, and 4) insurance. In 2012, we collected soil and vegetation samples from Xincang village, Lhasa, Tibet. Ecosystem services and plant functional traits were quantified based on these samplings. Pearson correlations were calculated among the nine functional traits, as well as between the functional traits and ecosystem services. The results showed that among the functional traits, the Rao index of plant heights was significant negatively correlated with soil organic carbon, soil total nitrogen, and soil water content. The ratio of the CWM of the heights of palatable plants to all plant species was significant positively correlated with soil organic carbon, soil total nitrogen, and soil water content. However, the CWM of the plant heights of all species, palatable species, dominant species, dominant and subdominant species, as well as the richness of palatable species, the ratio of the palatable specie richness to all species, and the ratio of palatable biomass to all species, were not significantly correlated with any of the ecosystem services. Our results demonstrated that the niche complementarity of the light captures of the plant community has negative impacts on ecosystem soil carbon stock, fertilization provisioning, and water regulating services. However, the relative niche competitiveness of light captures of palatable plants in the community has positive impacts on ecosystem soil carbon stock, fertilization provisioning, and water regulating services. The results imply, from the perspective of resource competitiveness, the concepts of niche complementarity and insurance best characterize the mechanisms by which plant functional traits determine ecosystem services in grassland. However, from the perspective of palatability, the concepts of mass ratio and selection are more reasonable. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Características produtivas de pastagens de milheto ou capim sudão submetidas ao pastejo contínuo de vacas para abate

Objetivou-se avaliar os parâmetros produtivos das pastagens de milheto (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. BR) e capim sudão (Sorghum bicolor cv. sudanense) submetidas ao pastejo contínuo de vacas destinadas ao abate. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com dois tratamentos e três períodos, sendo cinco repetições (área). Os parâmetros produtivos das pastagens foram similares na comparação entre os tratamentos (P<0,05). O ciclo vegetativo das pastagens não alteraram a massa de forragem (1.606,93 kg e 1.617,47 de matéria seca (MS)/ha) e a oferta de forragem (9,42 e 8,29 kg de MS/100 kg de PV) das pastagens de milheto ou capim sudão. No entanto, as médias para taxa de acúmulo de matéria seca e proteína bruta demonstraram maiores valores nos primeiros 21 dias de utilização das pastagens (130,77 kg de MS/ha e 17,04 g/kg de MS), seguidas de reduções nos dois últimos períodos, sendo as médias do segundo período (65,53 kg/ha de MS e 12,96 g/kg de MS) superior à do terceiro período experimental (36,13 kg/ha de MS e 10,01 g/kg de MS). Os valores para fibra em detergente neutro foram similares nos dois períodos iniciais (48,81; 49,01 g/kg de MS), seguida de aumento nos últimos 21 dias de utilização das pastagens (56,54 g/kg de MS). A taxa de lotação em kg/ha de PV demonstrou interação entre tratamento e período; no entanto, os valores médios entre os tratamentos foram similares (1741,1 kg/ha de PV para milheto e 1881,7 kg/ha de PV para sudão). Pastagens de milheto ou capim sudão se equivalem em relação às características produtivas, sob sistemas de pastejo contínuo com vacas de descarte.

Soil and cropping system research in semi-arid West Africa as related to the potential for conservation agriculture

Semi-arid West Africa faces challenges to increase sorghum and pearl millet production to meet food needs for a growing human population while increasing soil carbon (C), nutrient levels, and water holding capacity that are documented benefits of conservation agriculture. This review focuses on the wealth of research on cropping systems, tillage, crop residue, nutrient, and weed management as related to conservation agriculture. It also identifies needs for multidisciplinary, integrative research to assist the transition from current production systems to conservation agriculture. Crop residue use as livestock feed, or fuel are major constraints to adoption of conservation agriculture, which could be reduced by wood production in agroforestry systems, alternate energy sources, and increased forage supply. Crop residue and grain yields are related, thus improved crop, soil, water, nutrient, and weed management to increase grain yield would also increase the supply of crop residue with potential for ‘left over’ crop residue being available for soil mulching. Incorporating indigenous shrubs and/or cover crops could also increase crop residue supply. Species diversity can be increased through crop rotation, agroforestry, cover crops, and intercrops. Higher grain and stover yields and increased profit potential for resource-poor farmers in West Africa will be required before wide-scale adoption of conservation agriculture will be possible.

Optimizing diet and pasture management to improve sustainability of U.S. beef production

System sustainability balances environmental impact, economic viability and social acceptability. Assessment methods to investigate impacts of enterprise management and consumer decisions on sustainability of beef cattle operations are critically needed. Tools of this nature are especially important given the predictions of climate variability and the dependence of beef production systems on forage availability. A model optimizing nutritional and pasture management was created to examine the environmental impact of beef production. The model integrated modules calculating cradle-to-farm gate environmental impact, diet cost, pasture growth and willingness to pay (WTP). Least-cost diet and pasture management options served as a baseline to which environmental-impact reducing scenarios were compared. Economic viability was ensured by a constraint limiting change in diet cost to less than consumer WTP. Increased WTP was associated with improved social acceptability. Model outputs were evaluated by comparing to published data. Sensitivity analysis of the WTP constraint was conducted. A series of scenarios then examined how forecasted changes in precipitation patterns might alter forage supply and opportunities to reduce environmental impact in three regions in the United States. On a national scale, single-objective optimization indicated individual reductions in greenhouse gases (GHG), land use and water use of 3.6%, 5.4% and 4.3% were possible by changing diets. Multi-objective optimization demonstrated that GHG, land and water use could be simultaneously reduced by 2.3%. To achieve this change, cow–calf diets relied on grass hay, continuously- or rotationally-grazed irrigated and fertilized pasture as well as rotationally-grazed pasture. Stocker diets used rotationally-grazed, irrigated and fertilized pasture and feedlot diets used grass hay as a forage source. The model was sensitive to consumer WTP. When alternative precipitation patterns were simulated, opportunities to decrease the environmental impact of beef production in the Pacific Northwest and Texas were reduced by precipitation changes; whereas opportunities in the Midwest improved. Economic viability, rather than biological limitations, reduced the potential to improve environmental impact under future precipitation scenarios. Decreased spring rainfall resulted in lower pasture yields and required greater use of stored forages. Related increases in diet cost reduced opportunities to appropriate funds toward investment in environmental-impact reducing pasture management strategies. The model developed in this study is a robust tool that can be used to assess the impacts of enterprise management and consumer decisions on beef production sustainability.

Ação imunomoduladora da vitamina E na imunidade sistêmica e da glândula mamária de bovinos leiteiros alimentados com silagem

Regions such as southern Brazil live with drastic weather changes between winter and summer, resulting in direct disorders in the pasture, avoiding gradual change between grasses, creating periods of forage empty, a fact that diminishes the supply of forage, as well as its nutritional value. In these moments it becomes common to supplementation with intensive foods preserved as silage, a process that can reduce up to 50% levels of vitamin E from food, nutrient integrate cellular antioxidant system, responsible for the reduction of oxidative stress and immune function such phagocytosis, chemotaxis and oxidative metabolism in ruminants.Thus, the present study sought to measure the immunomodulatory activity of vitamin E in dairy cows in the middle of the stage of lactation, supplemented with corn silage and maintained on transition pasture not fertilized. We conducted assessments of hemogram, blood neutrophil function and cellularity of mammary glands before and after application of two parenteral doses of alpha tocopherol. It was observed in the treated group a significant increase for the series variable red blood, and to blood leukocytes mainly by an increase in neutrophils. In milk, there was increased cellularity, mainly by mononuclear elevation. As there was an increase of neutrophils positive to NBT test, it is believed that alpha tocopherol reduced cellular oxidative stress, enhancing phagocytosis and respiratory burst of neutrophils and decreased lipoperoxidation of cell membranes increases the halfspan of blood cells and milk.

The Changing Role of Shrubs in Rangeland-Based Livestock Production Systems: Can Shrubs Increase Our Forage Supply?

• Loss of grasslands to shrublands continues. • Demand for livestock products is expected to continue to grow. • Increased demand for red meat may stimulate rangeland livestock production. • Methods for increasing shrub use are needed to meet increasing forage demands.

Combining wavelet and linear-regression methods to model the effect of available forage on daily grazing and lying activity of mature Bos indicus cows during summer months

Cattle exhibit a circadian rhythm of grazing and lying behaviour. Understanding how available forage (FA) interrupts this rhythm and at what time or spans of time throughout the day could be beneficial in understanding grazing dynamics. Predictable changes in activity using FA would also permit changes in activity to indicate when forage supply is approaching a threshold for optimal herd productivity. The objective of the present study was to utilise wavelet techniques to evaluate the changes in herd-level lying, grazing and standing or walking behaviour in response to varying levels of FA. This objective was accomplished by (1) applying the discrete Haar wavelet transformation to lying and grazing activity, (2) examining the relationship of the transformation coefficients with FA, and (3) developing coefficient-prediction equations to model the relationship between the coefficient and FA. Data for the study were established by monitoring the grazing behaviour of up to three cattle herds, during June, July and August of Years 2010, 2011 and 2012. The minimal FA studied was 12.8 kg DM/100 kg bodyweight and maximum FA was 56.5 kg DM/100 kg bodyweight. Lying and grazing activity were significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with a single-wavelet coefficient and these occurred at different scales (timespans). Linear models to predict coefficients were constructed for correlations of P < 0.05. The coefficient for lying was predicted as 0.011944 × FA – 0.641426 (r2 = 0.31), and the coefficient for grazing was predicted as 0.009547 × FA – 0.847766 (r2 = 0.21). On the basis of location of the predicted coefficients within the wavelet pyramid, from 0600 hours to 0900 hours, lying activity increased as FA increased; however, from 1000 hours to 1300 hours, lying activity decreased as FA increased. Lying activity converged during the timespan from 1400 hours to 2100 hours. Prior to 1300 hours, fewer cattle were predicted grazing as FA decreased. Following 1300 hours, the proportion of cattle grazing increased as FA decreased. In conclusion, the use of wavelet techniques in combination with linear regression provided a mechanism to study the magnitude of changes in herd grazing and lying activities at different scales of time throughout the day due to varying quantities of FA. However, the slope coefficient of the linear models to estimate the wavelet coefficients that were significantly correlated with FA resulted in modest changes in estimated activity. Therefore, utilising time-of-day-related changes in activity may not be a practical mechanism to delineate modest forage shortages.

Frequências do fornecimento do alimento no desempenho de vacas e novilhas em confinamento

The effect of frequency of supply of forage (V) and concentrate (C) on the performance of cows and heifers in feedlot was studied. The treatments were the following frequencies in the supply: 2 V/C= V and C twice daily; 1 V/C= V and C once daily; 1 V/2C= once V and C twice daily, 1 V/3C= once V and C three times a day, for the cows or heifers. The experimental design was completely randomized in factorial arrangement 4 x 2, with four replications. There was no significant interaction between frequency of supplying and category animal. The dry matter intake (DMI) was superior for the animals fed 1 V/2C or 1 V/3C a day in relation with the supply of 2 V/C and 1 V/C, presenting values of 11.7; 11.4; 10.6 and 10.7 kg, respectively. The average daily gain (ADG) was not influenced by the frequency of supplying. The DMI was higher in cows (12.6 kg) than heifers (9.57 kg), having no difference in the weight gain. Increasing frequency of feeding the concentrate to two or three times a day, provided greater consumption, not influencing the weight gain of cows and heifers confined.

Optimal harvest timing vs. harvesting for animal forage supply: Impacts on production and quality of lucerne on the Loess Plateau, China

AbstractThe current promotion of larger areas of lucerne (Medicago sativa) production on the Loess Plateau in China prompted this study, which investigated lucerne harvesting practices by farmers and the scope for improved harvest yield and quality by optimizing harvest date, interval and height above ground. On‐farm surveys were conducted to document the dominant harvesting practices used by farmers and their perceptions of barriers to adoption of alternative harvesting practices. In districts with less emphasis on livestock, less labour and inadequate facilities to store conserved lucerne, smaller areas of lucerne are grown and it is often harvested daily to meet demand from penned livestock. The consequence is that much of the lucerne is harvested either before or after flowering, resulting in suboptimal yield of biomass and crude protein. Field experiments conducted at low and high rainfall locations on the Loess Plateau over three seasons showed that delaying the start to harvest until after mid‐June (the date of first flowering), while not affecting total biomass harvested for the season, does reduce leaf biomass harvested and hence crude protein concentration and yield. Lower crude protein is a consequence of a decline in both leaf percentage in harvested biomass and stem nitrogen concentration. Commencing harvests well before flowering with short (3 week) harvest intervals also penalized total and leaf biomass harvested. Raising cutting height from ground level (current farmer practice) to 50 mm (likely with the advent of mechanized harvesting) did not penalize harvested total or leaf biomass.

Nutrient management strategies for sustainable forage production: A review

Adequate supply of quality forage is the basic necessity for sustainable livestock production. In India, supply of forage has always been a limiting factor for enhancing livestock production. The gap in feed and forage supply, however, can effectively be reduced through integrated crop management practices with greater emphasis on nutrient management in forage crops. Due to region, season and specific nature of forages nutrient management is dynamic in nature. The paper reviews different nutrient management aspects in annual and perennial cultivated forage crops, range grasses and legumes, forage-based intercropping and cropping systems and rotations.

Relative preference for, palatability and intake of Stylosanthes scabra accessions adapted in Pretoria

Inadequate supply and quality of forage, particularly during the dry season, is a major constraint to livestock production in sub-Saharan Africa (Anele et al. 2011), including South Africa. Poor management of the available feeds, seasonal variability in weather and climate change contribute to the high fluctuation of forage quality and quantity between seasons and years (Sultan et al. 2008). To improve livestock production, there is a need to improve both quantity and quality of available feed through the use of alternative forage crops. Stylosanthes scabra cv. Seca has been evaluated for dry season feed supplementation, and was found to be adapted to and productive in the subtropical climate of Gauteng Province (Mpanza et al. 2013). The objective of this study was to determine the preference for, and palatability and intake of forage from 5 different Stylosanthes scabra accessions offered to Saanen goats.

Potential Use of Tropical Grass for Deferment in Semi-Arid Region

Management evaluation of Panicum maximum cv. massai (Massai guineagrass) under deferment contributes as a strategic reserve of forage in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The objective of this study was to evaluate biomass production and nutritive value of massai guineagrass in an area of thinned caatinga vegetation in two deferment periods (60 and 90 days after plot-leveling cut) and four use periods (30, 60, 90 and 120 days after the end of the rain season), in a random blocks design arranged in a split-plot (2 × 4), with three replications. Extending the deferment period of massai guineagrass promoted elevation of the biomass components, but compromised the pasture quality due to increasing stem biomass. The massai guineagrass deferred 30 days after raining season started and should use 90 days after raining season ended to ensure a forage supply of appropriate nutritional value. The increase in relative air humidity and the occurrence of rainfall after water restriction stimulate regrowth, resulting in improved nutritional value of the grass.

Wheat straw improved by half-rate application of anhydrous ammonia (2014)

Many tons of crop residues and other low-quality forages are produced in Kansas each year. Use of these forages often is limited by their low nutrient content and poor digestibility. The process of applying anhydrous ammonia to low-quality forages enhances their feeding value by increasing crude protein content and dry matter digestibility. In the summer of 2012, the persistence of drought conditions throughout Kansas reduced forage supplies and resulted in a dramatic increase in forage prices. In an effort to aid livestock producers, the K-State Beef Extension Specialist Team, in conjunction with the Livestock Production Program Focus Team, conducted wheat straw ammoniation demonstrations at 6 locations across Kansas. The objectives of these demonstrations were to: (1) demonstrate the process of using anhydrous ammonia to treat low-quality roughages, and (2) determine if the recommended rate of 3% anhydrous ammonia application (dry weight) could be decreased as a cost-saving measure. The effects of two anhydrous ammonia application rates (1.5 and 3.0% dry matter weight of stack, equivalent to 30 or 60 lb anhydrous ammonia/ton of dry forage) on subsequent forage quality and digestibility were evaluated.

Deriving pasture growth patterns for Land Use Capability Classes in different regions of New Zealand

Abstract Farm system models are increasingly being used to assess the implications of land use and practice changes on profitability and environmental impacts. Exploring implications beyond individual farms requires the linkage of such models to land resource information, which for pastoral systems includes forage supply. The New Zealand Land Resource Inventory (LRI) and associated Land Use Capability (LUC) database includes estimates of the potential stock carrying capacity across the country, which can be used to derive annual, but not seasonal, patterns of pasture growth. The Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) was used, with generic soil profiles based on descriptions of LUC classes, to generate pasture growth curves (PGCs) in three regions of the country. The simulated pasture yields were similar to the estimates in the LRI spatial database, and varied with LUC Class within and across regions. The simulated PGCs also agreed well with measured data. The approach can be used to obtain spatially discrete estimates of seasonal pasture growth patterns across New Zealand, enabling investigation of land use and management changes at regional scales. Key words: APSIM modelling, pasture growth curve (PGC), year to year variability, farm system analysis

Effects of different organic materials on forage yield and quality of silage maize (Zea mays L.)

This study was conducted at the experimental area of the Field Crops Department of Çukurova University (37°01'N, 35°18'E) in the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons to determine the effects of sole or combined applications of 3 organic materials (poultry litter, cattle manure, and leonardite) with supplemental inorganic fertilizer on the forage yield and quality of silage maize. The field trial was arranged in a complete randomized block design with 3 replications. Poultry litter (PL) and cattle manure (CM) were applied based on P or N requirements (PL-P, PL-N, CM-P, and CM-N) of the crop, whereas leonardite was applied in only 1 dose (500 kg ha^{-1}) and was also combined with 3 inorganic fertilizer doses (100%, 75%, and 50% of the recommended inorganic fertilizer dose, called LEO-100, LEO-75, and LEO-50, respectively). The results show that the highest values of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) yields (18.3 t ha^{-1} and 1652 kg ha^{-1}, respectively) were observed in LEO-100, whereas the lowest (11.2 t ha^{-1} and 758 kg ha^{-1}, respectively) were observed in PL-N. In terms of forage quality parameters (CP, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and relative feed value), the P-based poultry litter and cattle manure treatments (PL-P and CM-P) gave similar results to conventional fertilization treatment, whereas the N-based treatments (PL-N and CM-N) significantly decreased forage quality. The combined use of organic materials with inorganic fertilizers instead of a conventional fertilization regime may be effective in maintaining forage supply but N-based treatments have the risk of restricting forage production from silage maize.

Understanding the patchy distribution of four-horned antelope Tetracerus quadricornis in a tropical dry deciduous forest in Central India

Abstract:At the landscape level, the four-horned antelope is confined to tropical dry deciduous forests and within these, their distribution is patchy. Various factors have been proposed as determinants for their patchy distribution within landscapes, but none provided an adequate explanation. We hypothesized that availability of a constant supply of forage influenced the species distribution. We found that the four-horned antelope mainly fed on fruits and flowers, and that a total of 60% of the tree species in Panna Tiger Reserve bore fruits at different times of the year. High tree species richness in habitat patches was considered a surrogate for constant supply of forage for the four-horned antelope. Data from 547 sighting locations between 2002 and 2006 and six spatial layers were analysed using maximum entropy to produce a probability distribution model for the four-horned antelope in Panna Tiger Reserve. Our model predicted that habitat patches summing up to only 9.5% of the 543 km2 of Panna Tiger Reserve had high probability of distribution (>0.5) of four-horned antelope. Although all variables contributed to the distribution model of the four-horned antelope, explanatory power was highest for tree species richness within habitat patches. The distribution of four-horned antelope within tropical dry deciduous forests can be treated as an indicator of high tree diversity and hence habitat quality.

Forage chain arrangement for sustainable livestock systems in a Mediterranean area

AbstractMediterranean forage systems suffer from limited availability of fresh forage because of water deficits and extreme temperatures. Consequently, fresh forage is unavailable for at least 6–7 months a year, and farmers must buy feed to support livestock production. With the aim of overcoming these limitations, a 2‐year trial was conducted on three distinct sites in Sicily (at 10, 600 and 1200 m elevation) with thirty‐four varieties of forage species belonging to nine biennial/perennial and thirteen annual species. Results showed that by integrating grasses and legumes, species from environments with different climatic conditions enable the season of forage production to be extended from mid‐April to mid‐November. Quality traits of forage in different areas varied in relation to species and varieties. In general, the sown‐forage quality was better than in pastures and fallows in the same areas commonly used to feed animals. This also leads to a reduction in the use of supplementary feeds. Among the tested species, Lolium multiflorum and Medicago sativa emerged as the most promising for filling the forage‐deficit periods, and Trifolium spp. and Vicia sativa were found to be superior for increasing forage quality. The results are discussed in the context of adapting Mediterranean forage supplies for ensuring greater sustainability of livestock production in mountain, hill and plain areas. The proposed forage chain arrangement represents part of local potential adaptation to climate limitations and climate change.

Integrated crop-livestock system in tropical Brazil: Toward a sustainable production system

Performance of soil management systems was initiated in 1995 in a field experiment in Dourados, MS, Brazil, with the following systems: CS – conventional tillage; NTS – no-tillage; ICLS – integrated crop-livestock with soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) and pasture under no-till, rotating every two years, and PP – permanent pasture. Pastures (Brachiaria decumbens) were grazed by heifers with stocking rate adjusted to constant supply of forage. The hypothesis was that rotation of crops and pastures would be more efficient and present beneficial effects to the environment. More complex and diversified production systems may exhibit synergism between components to result in better soil physical structure, greater efficiency in use of nutrients by plants, greater accumulation of labile fractions of soil organic matter, greater diversity and biological activity in soil, and lower occurrence of nematodes and weeds. Better soil conditions in ICLS allowed greater resilience; over the years of assessment soybean and pasture yields were less affected by drought and frost. The ICLS was very efficient, accumulating soil C and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. Soil quality was improved in integrated systems with larger number of components and greater interaction between these components (ICLS) compared to simple systems. Based on soil attributes, we affirmed in this long-term study that the ICLS system is agronomically and environmentally efficient and sustainable.

Influence of manure scrapers on dairy cows in cubicle housing systems

Manure scrapers are widely used in dairy cow loose-housing systems. In order to evaluate the effects of the scrapers on the cows, we assessed their impact on the animals' cardiac activity, feeding behaviour, and the behavioural reactions of cows confronted with different types of scrapers. In part I of the study, we measured cardiac activity (mean R–R interval and RMSSD, a parameter of heart-rate variability) whilst observing the behaviour of 29 focal cows on three farms during situations with and without active manure scrapers. Lower RMSSD values were observed during scraping events while cows were either lying, standing or walking in the alleyway, standing completely in the lying cubicle, or standing half in the lying cubicle (P=0.03), but only tended to differ while directly confronted with the scraper (P=0.06). This indicates that dairy cows experienced at least some mild stress during manure-scraping events. In part II, the feeding behaviour of 12 cows on each of two farms was recorded by means of a jaw-movement sensor and compared between situations with the manure-scraping event following forage provision either within or outside the main daily feeding period (i.e. within 1 or after 2h from forage provisioning, respectively). The duration of night-time feeding (P=0.049) and the number of feeding bouts (P=0.036) were higher when a manure-scraping event took place within the main daily feeding period, indicating that the cows' feeding behaviour had been disturbed. In part III, we observed the cows' behaviour on 15 farms during eight manure scraping events per farm, where each of five farms had one of three different scraper types. We assessed the cows' immediate reactions when confronted with the scraper. In addition, we recorded the number of animals present in the alleyways before and after the manure-scraping events. The more cows that were present in the alleyways before the scraping event, the lower the proportion of cows showing direct behavioural reactions both with (P=0.017) and without (P=0.028) scraper contact, and the higher the number of cows that left the alleyways (P<0.001). Scraper type did not influence the proportion of cows showing behavioural reactions.In conclusion, our results show that dairy cows perceive the manure-scraping event negatively in some situations, that feeding behaviour may be disturbed when scrapers are active during the main feeding period, and that cows avoid the scraper during crowded situations.

From a conceptual framework to an operational approach for managing grassland functional diversity to obtain targeted ecosystem services: Case studies from French mountains

AbstractResearch to understand and manage ecosystems to supply services has recently spurred a functional view of their biodiversity. In particular, approaches based on functional traits rather than species diversity are increasingly used to reflect interactions between organisms and their environment. These approaches bring a functional perspective to the study of community structure responses to disturbances and resources, and of their effects on ecosystem functioning and services. From an academic perspective, we propose a conceptual framework based on species functional traits to better infer how grassland management practices (fertilization, defoliation regime) along with abiotic factors influence plant, animal and microbial community composition and a range of services in grassland ecosystems. The core of the framework relies on combinations of plant functional traits and associated microbial features that specifically respond to environmental and management factors and influence ecosystem services. To overcome stakeholders’ difficulty in applying the concept of functional traits, we propose an operational approach implying the mapping of plant communities distributed into five plant functional types (PFTs). The approach was used for fields in grassland-based livestock farms from two French grassland networks. We evaluated its ability to predict a range of services including forage provision and non-market services according to environmental and management drivers. PFT-based plant community composition predicted forage services reasonably well but responded weakly to environmental gradients. To cope with the observed limitations of current predictive approaches, we suggest including soil microbial functional types and adaptive management rather than using a prescriptive scheme.