Sheep Grazing Research Articles

A dataset of UAV multispectral images for the grassland-livestock balance

The grassland-livestock balance system plays an important role in reconciling the protection of grassland resources with the sustainable development of animal husbandry. The accurate estimation of the grassland-livestock balance is the basis for the implementation of the grassland-livestock balance system. In order to explore the accurate calculation method of the important parameter, i.e. livestock grass demand in the calculation system, in this study, we set up an experimental area in the natural grassland of Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, to simulate a real grazing scene, and conducted 4 grazing experiments controlling the sheep number and grazing time. We obtained multispectral images of the experimental area before and after grazing were with the help of the UAV remote sensing, and carried out a quadrat survey. After data sorting and preprocessing, we produced this dataset of high spatial resolution image data and accurate quadrat investigation data. It can be applied to the research on the daily grass demand of grazing sheep on Hulunbuir meadow steppe in autumn. This dataset provides data support for the accurate estimation of local grassland-livestock balance, and is of great significance for the adaptive dynamic management of grass and livestock.

CADASTRAL ASSESSMENT OF SHEEP PARASITES OF THE NORTHERN TIEN SHAN

In the Northern Tien Shan, the qualitative composition of sheep parasites depends on the grazing areas of the animals. Thus, 47 parasites were registered in sheep grazing only in the highlands (9 species of protozoa, 6 - trematodes, 3 - cestodes, 28 - nematodes and 1 species ofbotfly), 22 in sheep grazing in the foothills (6 – protozoa, 3 – trematodes, 2 – cestodes, 10 – nematodes and 1 species of botfly), and in sheep grazing in the desert zone – 16 (4 – protozoa, 1 – trematodes, 2 – cestodes, 9 – nematodes). And the occurrence of mixed infestations depends on the qualitative composition of the parasites. Thus, sheep grazing in the highlands, where 47 parasites are registered, have 19-21 variants of associations, and sheep grazing in the desert zone, where 16 parasites are registered, have 12 variants of associations. The reduction of the qualitative composition of parasites in sheep in modern conditions contributed to the reduction of the number of animals in grazed areas and the modern processing of low-acidified livestock in farms.

Weed control with small ruminants: Exploratory evaluation on Senecio inaequidens

Objective: Carry out an exploratory evaluation of sheep and goats grazing in a temperate pasture invaded by Senecio inaequidens, as a means of biological control of weeds in small-scale dairy systems (SSDS).
 Methodology: Crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and acid detergent fibre (ADF) were determined on pasture and Senecio samples. The effect of grazing by sheep and goats on the pasture was assessed by means of the height, density and soil cover of Senecio, and also sward height; and the live weight of the animals, daily weight gain and body condition score were recorded. Statistical analysis was by a 2x2 factorial design, with species (sheep or goat) and two grazing intensities at 28.3 or 50.3 m2/animal per day.
 Results: height, coverage and density of Senecio did not show significant differences (P>0.05), neither did sward height. The chemical composition of the pasture did not show statistically significant differences for the assessed periods either. Animal weight, body condition and daily weight gain did not show significant differences among the evaluated treatments (P>0.05).
 Implications: This is the first report evaluating sheep and goat grazing to control of Senecio invasion in temperate pasture in central Mexico. In addition, knowing the chemical quality of Senecio will allow decisions to be made for supplementation in grazing systems with sheep or goats.
 Conclusions: The grazing of sheep and goats reduced the number of Senecio plants in the assessed pasture, which indicates the possibility of controlling this weed by grazing sheep or goats over longer-term grazing.

Parasite dilution improves lamb growth more than does the complementarity of forage niches in a mesic pasture grazed by sheep and cattle

Agroecological practices can improve the functioning of livestock farming systems by optimizing their underlying biological processes. Sheep/cattle mixed-grazing is an example of such a practice in which sheep grazing with cattle can achieve a higher liveweight gain (LWG), than sheep grazing alone. We conducted an experiment to assess the relative roles of parasite dilution and forage niche complementarity in improving sheep LWGs. We used continuous grazing and compared the LWGs of 5- to 9-month ewe lambs, grazing alone or with heifers, at two contrasting sheep/cattle ratios (~50/50% and 20/80% in livestock units). The animals were not treated for strongyles (gastrointestinal parasites) before or during the experiment. We assessed parasitism by counting the number of strongyle eggs excreted per gram of feces (EPG) and evaluated the forage niche complementarity through observations of feeding behavior, combined with measurements of fecal nitrogen content (N). We observed that i) the diet was moderately improved by mixed-grazing (+4% of dicots and +11% of young vegetative grass at most, but these improvement were not statistically significant (resp. P=0.28 and P=0.35); ii) N levels were not significantly different across treatments (~2%; P=0.75); iii) EPGs were ~50% lower for mixed-grazing than for monospecific grazing (545 and 716 vs. 1278, P<0.01), iv) LWGs were much higher for mixed-grazing than for monospecific grazing (~40 g per day higher, P<0.001); and v) LWGs and EPGs did not significantly differ between the two sheep/cattle ratios studied (resp. P=0.91 and P=0.56). We thus attributed most of the improved ewe lamb LWGs in our experiment to parasite dilution rather than to forage niche complementarity. In addition, the similar EPGs and LWGs observed in mixed-grazing suggest that the benefits of this practice can be obtained easily, i.e. over a wide range of sheep/cattle ratios. Based on the definition of the adjective operable (‘capable of being put into use, operation or practice’), we also conclude that mixed-grazing seems an operable practice from a biological viewpoint.

Plant affinity to extreme soils and foliar sulphur mediate species-specific responses to sheep grazing in gypsum systems

ABSTRACT Background Plants growing on extreme soils have mainly been described in relation to their adaptations to edaphic conditions, although herbivores may also be an important factor in these ecosystems. Gypsum soils occur in drylands often where livestock practices occur. However, it is unknown whether plant traits related to gypsum soil constraints are associated with resistance to herbivory. Aims In order to assess whether gypsum specialist species might be favoured at higher grazing levels and to detect the traits involved, we evaluated the responses of gypsum specialists vs. generalists to three intensities of livestock pressure. Methods We analysed the relative cover shifts of species along a livestock gradient, and variation in canopy height, canopy area, leaf carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and sulphur (S), specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf dry matter content (LDMC). Results We found that gypsum-specialists responded by increasing or maintaining their cover at medium and high grazing pressure, whereas most generalists responded by decreasing it. Gypsum-specialists showed higher leaf S than generalists, regardless of grazing intensity. All species showed similar patterns for traits linked to loss of above-ground biomass when grazing increased. Conclusions Plant affinity to gypsum soils mediates vulnerability to grazing with foliar S possibly being a defence trait.

Long-Term Grazing Intensity Impacts Belowground Carbon Allocation and Mycorrhizas Revealed by 13CO2 Pulse Labeling

Despite the importance of grasslands for carbon storage and climate regulation, there is uncertainty about the effect of livestock grazing intensity on aboveground carbon assimilation and belowground carbon partitioning. Furthermore, the relationship between belowground carbon allocation and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which serve as a conduit for carbon movement through the plant and soil, is unclear. To investigate this, we used an in situ 13C stable isotope pulse-chase labeling approach in plots under seven rates of sheep grazing intensity in a steppe grassland in northern China. We quantified the allocation of carbon to plants, soil, and soil-respired CO2 along with measurements of mycorrhizal hyphal density in the soil. With increasing grazing intensity, carbon assimilation per unit shoot biomass increased significantly, whereas carbon allocation to roots marginally decreased. Soil-respired CO2 appeared to be independent of grazing intensity. Mycorrhizal hyphal density decreased with increasing grazing intensity and was correlated significantly with new carbon input to roots 2 d after labeling and marginally related to that of soil 1 d after the 13C-CO2 pulse. Our study suggests that grazing intensity alters the distribution of carbon among different carbon pools within the plant-soil system. The results also underscored the key role of mycorrhizas as a fast route for carbon transfer from plant to soil.

Biophysical Simulation of Sheep Grazing Systems Using the SGS Pasture Model

The performance of farming systems models for grazed grasslands are seldom evaluated against comprehensive field data. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of a daily time step, grazing systems simulation model—the SGS (Sustainable Grazing Systems) Pasture Model—to simulate production and aspects of sustainability. This was completed by evaluating temporal changes in soil water balance, some major nitrogen (N) fluxes, as well as plant and animal production using data from two large scale experimental sites with grazing sheep. The simulations were broadly in agreement with the measurements. In cases where divergence occurred the reasons were apparent and could be explained by reference to the model structure or aspects of the field data. In particular, the simulations showed good agreement with the observed soil water, but poorer agreement with the volumes of runoff. The simulated N in leachate and soil inorganic N were less in agreement with the measured data. The model outputs were sensitive to symbiotic biological fixation by subterranean (sub) clover and mineralisation of soil organic matter, which were not measured. Similarly, there were variable results for the simulation of animal growth and production. The complexities of simulating grazing systems and comparing field observations to simulated values are discussed.

KNOWLEDGE OF FARMERS, CONSTRAINTS FACED AND SUGGESTIONS OFFERED ON INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF PINK BOLLWORM IN COTTON: A CASE OF SAURASHTRA REGION, GUJARAT

The present study was conducted on 200 cotton growers of Jamnagar and Devbhumi Dwarka districts to evaluate for knowledge of farmers about integrated management of pink bollworm in cotton. The respondents were middle age group (57%), educate higher secondary level, big farmers having nuclear family, main occupation was agriculture and animal husbandry. Krishi Vigyan Kendra or University level information for organic farming, printed literature and demonstration with 85.25, 37.08 and 22.71 weightage mean, respectively. They received guideline from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (53.33%) followed by Agricultural University (43.33%) and seed/pesticide dealer (30.83%). The knowledge about integrated management of pink boll worm were Grazing sheep & goat after harvest the crop (72.25%), Cotton stalk should be burned after picking (68%), Spraying of Beauveria bassiana (65.5%) and spinosad (62%), use of light trap (61%) and collection of infested flowers/ bolls and destroyed it (59.5%). Very rare farmers have knowledge on life cycle of pink bollworm (8.5%) and deep ploughing for management (6%). High cost of pesticide (96%), fragmented holding (90.5%) and heavy attack of pink bollworm (86.5%) are major constraints faced by the cotton growers. Genetic resistant variety (82%), Install pheromone & light trap near ginneries, market yard for mass trapping are the major suggestions for overcome the pink boll worm problem.

Effects of Prickly Burnet (Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach.) Control and Sheep Grazing on Hay Yield and Quality on Gökçeada Island, Turkey.

(1) Background: The effects of prickly burnet (Sarcopoterium spinosum) control measures (pulling out, burning and cutting) and grazing on the botanical composition, grazeable dry matter (GDM) yield and nutritional values of rangeland were investigated on Imbros Island (Turkey) in 2010-2013. (2) Methods: The rangeland was grazed by Imbros sheep during the last year of the experiment. About 0.15 ha of rangeland was allocated to each sheep and five sheep were placed in each plot. Grazing was continuous throughout the year. (3) Results: Shrub levels decreased by 50-60% due to pulling out, burning and cutting in the first year and herbaceous species increased. Forbs increased more in the pulled and burnt plots and grasses increased more in the cut plots. In the third year, the shrub level increased to 60-65% and herbaceous species decreased. The decrease in herbaceous species was observed mostly in forbs. Plant cover was mostly (58%) composed of annual species. Development decreased plant cover ratios, but this decrease ceased in the burnt plot in the third year. Grazing also reduced plant cover. Crude protein (CP), NDF, ADF and digestible dry matter (DDM) content did not vary significantly over the experimental period. CP and DDM increased, NDF decreased and ADF did not change in the development plots. Overall, significant differences were not observed in GDM yield and nutritional values due to development efforts (pulling out, burning and cutting). (4) Conclusions: However, cutting is difficult over stony and rough terrain and pulling out creates erosion on sloping surfaces. Therefore, burning is recommended over the entire rangeland and burning or pulling out is recommended over smooth terrain for the temporary control of S. spinosum.

A Meta-Analysis of Soil Organic Carbon Response to Livestock Grazing in Grassland of the Tibetan Plateau

Known as the “roof of the world”, the Tibetan Plateau hosts the largest pastoral alpine ecosystem in the world. Nevertheless, there is currently no consensus on how soil organic carbon (SOC) stock changes after livestock grazing on the grassland of this region. Here, a meta-analysis was performed based on 55 published studies to quantify the livestock grazing-induced changes in SOC stock (0–30 cm) in grassland on the Tibetan Plateau. The results showed that livestock grazing significantly increased bulk density by an average of 11.5%, indicating that significant soil compaction was caused by livestock grazing. In contrast, SOC content and stock significantly decreased by 14.4% and 11.9% after livestock grazing, respectively. The decline rate of SOC stock was higher in alpine meadow (−12.4%) than that in alpine steppe (−8.8%), but there was no significant difference between the two rates. The SOC stocks decreased by 10.1%, 6.2% and 20.1% under light grazing, moderate grazing and heavy grazing, respectively. The decline rate of SOC stock under moderate grazing was significantly lower than that under heavy grazing. For different livestock types, it was observed that yak grazing significantly decreased SOC stock by 15.3%. Although the decline rate induced by yak grazing was higher than those induced by Tibetan sheep grazing and mixed grazing, no significant difference was detected among them. Similarly, the grazing-induced SOC declines also did not differ significantly among subgroups of grazing season. The positive relationships between SOC stock and plant biomass indicated that the decreased plant biomass was a likely reason for the declined SOC stock under grazing condition. The findings suggested that moderate grazing with Tibetan sheep in the warm season may minimize SOC losses from grazing activities in alpine grassland on the Tibetan Plateau.

Comparative Analysis of the Composition of Fatty Acids and Metabolites between Black Tibetan and Chaka Sheep on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Simple SummaryChaka sheep are adapted to a harsh, highly saline environment and are also known for having typical sensory characteristics attributed to free-range conditions and grazing on wild plants. Black Tibetan sheep are located in Guinan county, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Hainan, Qinghai Province, and are well-adapted to the harsh plateau environment in China. In this study, we compared the fatty acids and metabolites in the longissimus dorsi muscle between Black Tibetan and Chaka sheep grazing in a highly saline environment. We found that upregulated organic acid and fatty acid biosynthesis increased the meat quality of Chaka sheep.The objective of this study was to investigate and compare fatty acids and metabolites in the longissimus dorsi muscle between Black Tibetan and Chaka sheep grazing in a highly saline environment. A total of eight castrated sheep (14 months old) with similar body weights (25 ± 2.2 kg) were selected. The experimental treatments included Black Tibetan (BT) and Chaka sheep (CK) groups, and each group had four replications. The experiment lasted for 20 months. All sheep grazed in a highly saline environment for the whole experimental period and had free access to water. The results showed that the diameter (42.23 vs. 51.46 μm), perimeter (131.78 vs. 166.14 μm), and area of muscle fibers (1328.74 vs. 1998.64 μm2) were smaller in Chaka sheep than in Black Tibetan sheep. The ash content in the longissimus dorsi was lower in Chaka sheep than in Black Tibetan sheep (p = 0.010), and the contents of dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE), and crude protein (CP) in the longissimus dorsi showed no differences (p > 0.05). For fatty acids, the proportions of C10:0, C15:0, and tC18:1 in the longissimus dorsi were higher in Chaka sheep than in Black Tibetan sheep (p < 0.05). However, all other individual fatty acids were similar among treatments, including saturated fatty acids (SFAs), unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and the ratios of n-6 PUFAs to n-3 PUFAs and PUFAs to SFAs (p > 0.05). A total of 65 biomarkers were identified between the two breeds of sheep. Among these metabolites, 40 metabolic biomarkers were upregulated in the CK group compared to the BT group, and 25 metabolites were downregulated. The main metabolites include 30 organic acids, 9 amino acids, 5 peptides, 4 amides, 3 adenosines, 2 amines, and other compounds. Based on KEGG analysis, eight pathways, namely, fatty acid biosynthesis, purine metabolism, the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, renin secretion, the regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes, neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction, the cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, and the cAMP signaling pathway, were identified as significantly different pathways. According to the results on fatty acids and metabolites, upregulated organic acid and fatty acid biosynthesis increased the meat quality of Chaka sheep.

The pattern of soil microbe metabolic limitation was altered by the increased sheep grazing intensity in two contrasting grasslands: Implications for grassland management in semiarid regions

AbstractSoil extracellular enzyme stoichiometry (EES) and microbial metabolic limitation deeply reflect soil quality. However, knowledge about the impacts of different grazing intensities on microbial metabolic limitation has not been well‐documented. Herein, the influences of four sheep grazing intensities (ungrazed, UG; lightly grazed, LG; moderately grazed, MG; and heavily grazed, HG) on microbial metabolic limitation were investigated in typical steppe (14‐year grazing) and desert steppe (17‐year grazing). The activities of an extracellular enzyme (EEAs) involved in soil C, N, and P transformation were determined by fluorimetric microplate assay. We found that different grazing intensities significantly affected extracellular enzyme activities and EES. Compared to the treatments of UG, LG, and MG, microbial relative C limitation in the HG treatment increased by 30.5–64.7% and 18.9–33.1%, respectively, in typical and desert steppes, indicating that heavily grazing aggravated soil microbial relative C limitation. Moreover, along with grazing intensity, vector angle decreased from 50.3° to 27.6° and from 71.5° to 58.9° in desert steppe and typical steppe. This indicated that the pattern of microbial metabolism limitation shifted from P limitation to N limitation in desert steppe, and heavily grazing significantly aggravated microbial N limitation in desert steppe. In addition, the desert steppe was more pronounced than the typical steppe to grazing intensity increasing. Therefore, heavily grazing aggravated microbial metabolism limitation, deteriorated grassland quality. The outcomes of this study highlight that lightly grazing can be an effective management practice to maintain grassland ecological services in semi‐arid areas from the perspective of soil microbial metabolic limitation.

Dairy Sheep Grazing Management and Pasture Botanical Composition Affect Milk Macro and Micro Components: A Methodological Approach to Assess the Main Managerial Factors at Farm Level.

Simple SummaryStudies on the management factors that affect milk components at the farm level are important for understanding how to transfer the results from experimental study. Plant phenological stages and partially fresh herbage intakes affect the lactose and milk fatty acid profile. The botanical composition of the grassland partially affects the milk’s phenol content. A few small relationships between plant phenols and milk colour could be of interest to explain the changes in milk colour parameters.The fatty acid profile, vitamins A and E, cholesterol, antioxidant power colour and the phenols profile of Sarda sheep milk from 11 commercial sheep flocks managed under permanent grassland were investigated. In each farm, the structural and managerial data and milk samples were collected during four periods (sampling dates, SD): January, March, May, and July. Data from the milk composition (fat, protein, casein, lactose, and somatic cell count), 68 fatty acids, 7 phenols, 1 total gallocatechin equivalent, ferric reducing antioxidant power, vitamins A and E, cholesterol, degree of antioxidant protection, and the colour (b *, a * and L *) were analyzed by multivariate factorial analysis using a principal component analysis approach. A proc mixed model for repeated measurement to point out the studied factors affecting significant macro and micro milk composition was also used. Only the first five components were detailed in this paper, with approximately 70% of the explained variance detected. PC1 presented the highest positive loadings for milk lactose, de novo FA synthesis and the BH intermediate, whereas OBCFA had negative loadings values. The PC2, LCFA, UFA, MUFA, vitamins E, and DAP showed positive loadings values, while SFA had a negative value. The PC3 showed a high positive loading for total phenols and non-flavonoids. PC4 presented a high positive loading for the milk macro-composition and negative values for n-3 FAs. The PC5 is characterized by high positive loadings for the a * and L * colour parameters whereas negative loadings were detected for the milk flavonoids content. These preliminary results could help to establish future threshold values for the biomarkers in milk sourced from grazing dairy sheep in natural, permanent pasture-based diets.

Mixed cattle and sheep grazing reduces the root lifespan of the community in a desert steppe

• Mixed cattle and sheep grazing can significantly shorten root longevity and may accelerate carbon sequestration. • Grazing inhibits fine root longevity of plant community in the temperate desert steppe. • Sheep grazing alone has a greater inhibitory effect on root longevity than cattle grazing alone. • Adjusting the combination of herbivores is an effective strategy to shorten the root lifespan of the community. • The factors affecting root longevity were analyzed by the COX proportional-hazards model. The soil is the primary carbon pool in grassland ecosystems, and the turnover of plant roots is an essential way of organic carbon input. Grazing intensity under a single animal species is usually used to explore the effects of herbivores on grassland, but multi-species grazing is common in grassland utilization. However, few studies have examined the impact of different livestock species and herbivore combinations on the root growth of the grassland community. We used the minirhizotron method to explore the response of root growth in a temperate desert steppe community to cattle and sheep grazing over two years. Among root characteristics and environmental factors, grazing method(cattle grazing; sheep grazing; cattle and sheep grazing; no grazing) is the most significant inhibiting factor affecting root longevity. We found that mixed cattle and sheep grazing significantly reduced the root lifespan of the community, with a median survival time of 120 d, and a survival rate of only 30 % at the end of the observation period. Compared with other treatments, mixed cattle and sheep grazing significantly reduced the number of live roots (0.3724 ± 0.0453 piece/cm 2 ). The change in fine root length of mixed grazing (-0.012 ± 0.0013 mm/cm 2 ) was considerably greater than other treatments. The root lifespan of the community was significantly negatively correlated with the ratio of belowground to aboveground net primary productivity (BNPP/ANPP). The mixed cattle and sheep grazing changed in the patterns of plant carbon contribution, and increased the organic carbon content of the soil. Therefore, under moderate grazing intensity, adjusting the combination of herbivores is an effective strategy to accelerate root turnover rate of the community, accelerate the input of carbon from plant photosynthesis into the soil carbon pool, and may increase soil carbon storage.

Orthoptera in the early stages of post-arable rewilding in south-east England

The ideal aim of rewilding is to restore natural processes to create ‘self-willed’ ecosystems involving the creation of large areas of habitat subject to stochastic disturbance, connected by favorable corridors for species to disperse along. Reversion of arable farmland to grassland and scrub habitats on Black Bourn Valley nature reserve in Suffolk (south-east England) through non-intervention allowed succession to occur largely unmanaged. Fields in the early stages of rewilding (4–14 years) are found at Black Bourn Valley, while pond creation has been extensive since 2010, creating water edge habitat and heterogeneity to the re-establishing grassland. Monitoring of Orthoptera revealed statistical evidence that species diversity/richness and field grasshopper Chorthippus brunneus (Thunberg, 1815), meadow grasshopper Pseudochorthippus parallelus (Zetterstedt, 1821), common groundhopper Tetrix undulata (Sowerby, 1806) and slender groundhopper Tetrix subulata (Linnaeus, 1758) were in higher abundance in fields ≥8 years since arable cropping ceased compared to those 4 years post reversion. Fields ≥8 years old were probably favorable due to the presence of microhabitats for basking and egg-laying orthopterans that included ant hills, sparsely vegetated pond edge and open swards with an abundance of fine-leaved grasses (Agrostis and Festuca spp.) and a low abundance of leaf litter. Lagomorph grazing by wild brown hare Lepus europaeus and rabbit Oryctoloagus cuniculus was critical in maintaining exposed soil for Orthoptera in the older fields, while deer paths appeared to create microhabitats that may be utilized by Orthoptera. We postulate that rewilding schemes on arable farmland should use a Rewilding Max approach and avoid the frequent usage of domestic livestock, relying on wild lagomorph and ungulate grazers to maintain an open mosaic habitat structure with only intermittent cattle, horse, or sheep grazing.

Effect of Sheep Grazing, Stocking Rates and Dolomitic Limestone Application on the Floristic Composition of a Permanent Dryland Pasture, in the Montado Agroforestry System of Southern Portugal.

Simple SummaryThe Montado is a characteristic ecosystem of the Mediterranean region, where agricultural activities, animal production and forestry coexist alongside tourism, hunting and leisure activities. Animal grazing is fundamental for the conservation of the Montado, and it is imperative to clearly understand its interactions with the pasture floristic composition (PFC) of the Montado. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sheep grazing, stocking rates and dolomitic limestone application on the floristic composition of permanent dryland pastures, in the Montado agroforestry system of Southern Portugal. The type of grazing influences the PFC, which may be positively or negatively impacted, depending on the adopted system. Deferred grazing seems to benefit the disappearance of undesirable plants and the appearance of desired plants. The results of this study allow for more informed management decisions and a potential increase in animal production but also improve the knowledge of conservation strategies in the Montado.The Montado is a complex agroforestry–pastoral ecosystem due to the interactions between soil–pasture–trees–animals and climate. The typical Montado soil has an acidic pH and manganese toxicity, which affect the pasture’s productivity and pasture floristic composition (PFC). The PFC, on the other hand, can also be influenced by the type and intensity of grazing, which can lead to significant decreases in the amount of biomass produced and the biodiversity of species in the pasture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of grazing type, by sheep, and different stocking rates on the PFC throughout the vegetative pasture cycle in areas with and without dolomitic limestone application. Thus, four treatments (P1UC to P4TC) were constituted: P1UC—without limestone application (U) and continuous grazing (CG); P2UD—U and deferred grazing (DG); P3TD—with the application of limestone (T) and DG; P4TC—T and CG. In DG plots, the placement and removal of the animals were carried out as a function of the average height of the pasture (placement—10 cm; removal—3 to 5 cm). The PFC was characterized in winter, at the peak of spring and in late spring. The PFC data were subjected to a multilevel pattern analysis (ISA). The combination of rainfall and temperature influenced the pasture growth rates and consequently the height of the pasture at different times of the year. Therefore, with the different growth rates of the pasture throughout the year, the sheep remain for different periods of time in the deferred grazing treatments. In the four treatments, 103 plant species were identified. The most representative botanical families in the four treatments were Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae. ISA identified 14 bioindicator species: eight for the winter period, three for the late spring vegetative period and three for the TC treatment.

Ecological thresholds of toxic plants for sheep production and ecosystem multifunctionality and their trade-off in an alpine meadow

Toxic plants are a natural component of alpine meadow which co-evolved with Tibetan sheep for thousands of years. One challenge for indigenous herders is to know the ecological thresholds of toxic plants and maintain their vital functions in ways that are compatible with economic income and ecological conservation. To achieve this, field trials with Tibetan sheep grazing in alpine meadow were conducted to examine the ecological thresholds of toxic plants for sheep production and ecosystem functions and their trade-offs. Our results demonstrated that the changing point values of biomass proportion of toxic plants for dry matter intake and liveweight gain of sheep were 17% and 22%, respectively. The changing point value of biomass (richness) proportion of toxic plants for soil carbon accumulation index was 31% (59%), for soil nutrient cycling index was 38% (42%), and for ecosystem multifunctionality index was 28% (50%). The trade-off between liveweight gain of sheep and ecosystem multifunctionality first decreased and then increased along the gradient of biomass proportion of toxic plants (the value of changing point was 37%), and had a significant negative correlation with richness of toxic plants. In addition, structural equation modeling indicated that toxic plants can affect the trade-off between liveweight gain of sheep and ecosystem multifunctionality though increasing acid detergent fiber of plant and decreasing plant species richness, belowground biomass and soil total phosphorus. Consequently, opinions towards toxic plants should shift from the conventional view that they are serious threat to grassland ecosystem health to an inclusive understanding that they are beneficial to livestock and ecosystem functions under certain ecological thresholds.

Physiological, Immune Response, Antioxidant Capacity and Lipid Metabolism Changes in Grazing Sheep during the Cold Season.

Simple SummaryAs a native breed to the Inner Mongolian Plateau (Inner Mongolia, China), Mongolian sheep are tolerant to cold. However, their cold-adaptive processes, such as the physiological feedback adjustments that occur during the cold season in the plateau environment, remain unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the adaptations of grazing Mongolian sheep in the plateau environment by investigating the changes in physiological mechanisms and serum biochemistry of sheep reared in the warm and cold seasons. We observed that many of the biochemical functions were stimulated to meet the requirements of organismal metabolic regulation in order to enable grazing Mongolian sheep to physiologically adapt to cold climatic conditions. However, the function of resisting oxidation of the grazing Mongolian sheep was impaired during the cold season. The findings from this study provide helpful information for understanding the physiological requirements for grazing Mongolian sheep to adapt to extremely cold environments. The manuscript also provides information for optimizing the management of these animals during the cold season, increasing farm profits and designing genetic selection strategies.Mongolian sheep are characteristically cold-tolerant. However, their cold adaptive processes, such as the physiological feedback adjustments that occur during the cold season, remain unexplored. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the physiological adaptations of Mongolian sheep in cold plateau environments. A comparative analysis of the serum biochemical parameters, immune response, antioxidant capacity, and glucose and lipid metabolism of grazing Mongolian sheep in the cold and warm seasons was conducted. The results showed that in the cold season, the glucose and lipid metabolism and thermogenesis of the grazing Mongolian sheep were notably enhanced. Moreover, the immune responses were stimulated by increased levels of cytokines, such as IL-2, IL-1β, and IL-6, during the cold season. However, the antioxidant defense system was damaged; this damage was mainly characterized by decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes and an increased level of MDA during the cold season. Overall, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, thermogenesis, and immune responses were stimulated to meet the requirements of organismal metabolic regulation to enable grazing Mongolian sheep to physiologically adapt to cold climatic conditions.

Wool and the relative resilience of Western Australian Wheatbelt economies

AbstractThis article seeks to examine the path dependence and relative resilience of rural economies by focusing on the dynamics of the wool industry, a former mainstay of the economic base of many, if not most, Australian rural economies throughout most of the twentieth century. Based on a case study of the Western Australian Wheatbelt, a region in which broadacre cropping and Merino sheep grazing formed a cohesive farming enterprise type for many decades, we employ dynamic econometric models to test the relative resilience of the wool sector for four of the region’s constituent local government areas (LGAs) from just prior to the onset of the Second World War to the closing years of the twentieth century. The testing reveals evidence of both path dependence in the general model specification and a tendency for the four LGAs as a group to return to their long‐run developmental trajectories following a “shock.” However, divergence across the performance of the four LGAs suggests the persistence of historical and ecological gradients that require further investigation.

Occurrence patterns of the endangered Yellow Cardinal Gubernatrix cristata in north-east Argentina: only in savannahs and at sites away from roads

Summary The endangered Yellow Cardinal Gubernatrix cristata is under pressure from habitat loss and from capturing for the cage bird trade. In north-east Argentina it is known to be associated with the Espinal ecoregion, but no information was available on habitat selection within this ecoregion. In Entre Ríos province, Argentina, we first sampled Yellow Cardinal presence in four environments: Espinal savannahs, Espinal open woodlands, riparian woodlands, and agricultural fields. Yellow Cardinals were only detected in savannahs. In a second set of surveys, transects were surveyed at sites with known presence of Yellow Cardinals and were placed within savannahs as well as nearby in open forests of only slightly different physiognomy. Yellow Cardinals were again only detected in savannahs. Tree density, shrub cover and height of herbaceous layer were lower in savannahs than in open woodlands. Ground-foraging Yellow Cardinals in savannahs foraged exclusively in grass patches with short grass of 3˗12 cm height. Such short grass occurred in 75% of spots of savannahs sites, but only in 48% of open woodlands. Savannah sites with Yellow Cardinals were significantly further away from permanent roads than sites without Cardinals, likely a reflection of capture pressure near roads. We recommend establishing additional protected areas with a high proportion of savannah patches and with limited or no road access. The short grass used by foraging Yellow Cardinals requires maintenance through grazing. Rewilding with native herbivores in protected areas is preferable to attain natural herbivory, but during the initial stages of rewilding, cattle and sheep grazing are essential to avoid tree and shrub proliferation in savannahs. The Yellow Cardinal can also persist on private lands with Espinal vegetation under sustainable livestock grazing. Frequent and effective patrolling and road controls are essential to reduce illegal capturing.