Sheep Pastures Research Articles

Vliv pastvy ovcí na obsah minerálních látek ve stepních porostech Národní přírodní rezervace Mohelenská hadcová step

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of sheep pasture on the content of minerals in growth of the Mohelenska Serpentine Steppe National Nature Reserve.Merino sheep pastured on the steppe in 1997–1998, electrical fencer was used. There were 6.8–9.4 sheep per 1 ha in 1997 and 6.7–8.7 sheep per 1 ha in 1998 on the pasture area 4.25 and 6 ha. Samples of steppe growth were taken from five locations with typical fytocenological composition for particular area of steppe. Samples were taken each two weeks during vegetative season from area 3x1 m2. The contents of Ca, P, Na, K, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe in dry matter were evaluated. The changes in the content of the nutrients were evaluated depending on the location before, after and during pasture. The values of nutrients were compared with content of these nutrients in meadow and pasture growths (noted in European databases).The content of Ca was from 2.23 to 4.06 g/kg of dry matter. Pasture decreased the variability of location in Ca content and there were significant decreases of Ca content on two locations (P < 0.01). Low content of Ca in steppe growth due to pasture significantly decreased on these locations in comparison with Ca content in pasture growth on no-serpentine soil. The content of P was from 2.23 to 4.06 g/kg of dry matter. Pasture did not affect the variability of location and on one location pasture significantly increased its content (P < 0.01). Despite it the content of P in dry matter was markedly lower than in pasture growths.The content of Na was from 43.88 to 113.97 mg/kg of dry matter. Pasture did not affect the variability of location and its content. The content of Na was markedly lower in steppe growth in comparison with pasture growths. Pasture also did not affect the content of K, which was from 9.96 to 18.10 g/kg of dry matter. But pasture increased the variability of location. The content of K in steppe growth was low in comparison with pasture growths. The content of Mg was from 2.14 to 4.64 g/kg of dry matter. On two locations the content of Mg increased due to pasture (P < 0.05). The content of Mg in steppe growth was comparable with its content in pasture growths. The content of Mn was from 27.55 to 41.32 mg/kg of dry matter and the content of Zn from 12.05 to 26.64 mg/kg of dry matter. Pasture increased the variability of location in both these nutrients. The effect of the pasture on their contents was not (P < 0.05). In steppe growth the content of Mn was markedly lower in comparison with pasture growths and the content of Zn was lower in comparison with pasture growths. The contents of Cu and Fe were from 1.81 to 5.94 mg/kg of dry matter and from 76.1 to 263.2 mg/kg of dry matter. Pasture increased variability of location in the content of Cu and decreased its content in three locations (P < 0.05). The content of Fe was not affected by pasture (P < 0.05). The contents of Cu and Fe were lower in comparison with pasture growths on no-serpentine soils.

Geographical and botanical variation in concentrations of selenium, cobalt, iodine, zinc and other essential elements in sheep pasture plants in Norway

In order to obtain a more comprehensive knowledge basis for the supply of essential elements to sheep on pasture in Norway, a systematic, countrywide investigation of element composition of pasture plants was conducted, with emphasis on natural pastures. Samples of pasture grass, herbs, willow shrub leaves and bilberry (N = 575) from 142 locations were analysed for the essential trace elements Se, Co, I, Zn and Mn, and for the major elements Ca, P, Mg, Na and K. A large and systematic geographical variation was observed for Se, I and Na, while concentrations of Zn and of most major elements showed limited variation with sampling site. Se concentrations were inadequate in the majority of samples from all plant species. Marked botanical variation was noted for Co and Zn, and willow shrub leaves were identified as a valuable source of these elements in natural sheep pastures.

Geographical and botanical variation in concentrations of copper, molybdenum, sulphur and iron in sheep pasture plants in Norway

To obtain a better knowledge basis for the correct supply of Cu to sheep in Norway, a systematic, countrywide investigation of element composition of pasture plants was conducted, with emphasis on natural pastures. Samples of pasture grass, herbs, willow shrub leaves and bilberry (N = 575) from 142 locations were analysed for Cu, Mo, S and Fe. A large geographical variation was observed for Mo concentration and Cu:Mo ratio, a somewhat smaller variation for Fe, while Cu and S concentrations showed limited geographical variation. The Mo variation led to a Cu:Mo ratio <2 in 2% of the samples and >20 in 62% of samples, confirming that the trace element composition of Norwegian sheep pastures may represent a risk of Cu deficiency as well as Cu overload, depending on location. A considerable botanical variation was also observed, in particular for Cu and Mo.

Potential of Second Crops of Oil Radish and White Mustard as Fall Grazing Pasture for German Mutton Merino Sheep

Second crops of oil radish (Raphanus sativus) and white mustard (Sinapis alba) being in the bloom stage were evaluated for nutritive value for wether lambs (n=5 per crop, BW=35.6 kg) and in situ grazability by ewes (n=15 per crop, BW=50 kg). Animals received no supplemental feed. The two forage crops differed in dry matter (DM) (135 vs. 154 g/kg) as well as in crude protein (148 vs. 206 g), crude fibre (141 vs. 194 g) and N-free extract (550 vs. 482 g) per kg DM. In the feeding trial, total daily DM intake of lambs from oil radish and white mustard differed (1063 vs. 1203 g/head) but was similar in percent bodyweight (3.3-3%). Apparent digestibility of the two forage crops were similar for crude protein (69-70%) and N-free extract (70-71%), but differed (P&lt;0.001) for crude fibre (63 vs. 54%); the values were similar for TDN (61.6-62.9%), DE (11.36-11.61 MJ), ME (9.32-9.52 MJ) and NEm (5.70-5.88 MJ) per kg DM. In the 4-day grazing trial was used rotational grazing, based on results, the oil radish provided a carrying capacity twice as high as white mustard’s notably, 1700 vs. 740 ewe grazing days per ha - equal to 60 ewes grazing one hectare for 28 and 12 days, respectively. Thus, oil radish seemed better to be used as fall grazing pasture for mutton sheep.

Traditional Farming Landscapes for Sustainable Living in Scandinavia and Japan: Global Revival Through the Satoyama Initiative

Traditional, pre-industrial farming was adapted to the natural environment-topography, geology, hydrology, climate, and biota. Traditional land use systems are still to be traced in Scandinavia as an "infield/outland landscape", and in Japan as a "Satoyama landscape." There are obvious similarities and differences in land use-the main difference being that pasturing of cattle and sheep has been less important in Japan. These land use systems can be traced back to early sedentary settlements 1500-2500 years ago. In both regions, traditional management almost ceased in the mid-twentieth century leading to afforestation and decreased biological diversity. Today, there is in Japan a growing movement for landscape restoration and promotion of a sustainable living countryside based on local agrarian and forestry production, local energy, tourism, etc. With this background, the so-called Satoyama Initiative has been organized and introduced as a global socio-ecological project with ecosystem services for human well-being.

Production of Aruana guinea grass subjected to different cutting severities and nitrogen fertilization

Aruana guinea grass (Panicum maximum cv. Aruana) is widely used as pasture for sheep, which are extremely susceptible to infestation by larvae of gastrointestinal parasites in tropical pasture-based systems (Zanini et al. 2012). One way to mitigate this problem, and consequently reduce the need for use of anthelmintics, is to manage pastures with post-grazing height low enough to ensure sunlight reaches the base of tussocks. This will aid in killing larvae and controlling their development, without jeopardizing canopy regrowth and persistence. The pre-grazing sward height recommended for Aruana guinea grass is 30 cm, when the canopy intercepts 95% of the incident light, with post-grazing height at 15 cm (Zanini et al. 2012). As cutting severity and nitrogen (N) fertilization cause morphological and physiological adaptations in individual plants − altering the production of forage grasses − the objective of this study was to evaluate the accumulation of morphological components of Aruana guinea grass subjected to different cutting severities and N fertilization.

Small-scale traditional management of highly species-rich grasslands in the Carpathians

Abandonment or change of traditional (pre-modern) management systems threaten semi-natural grasslands worldwide. Understanding existing traditional grassland management could greatly help to improve our ability to preserve biodiversity in traditionally managed farmlands. We studied the management of species-rich man-made grasslands (ca. 32–52 vascular plant species on 16m2) and the related traditional ecological knowledge in Gyimes (Romania), where more than 40,000 hectares of meadows and pastures are still managed traditionally. Methods of ecological anthropology e.g. participatory field work, semi-structured interviews (33 interviewees), and free listings were used. Csángós (people living in these valleys of the Carpathians) distinguish hay meadows based on manuring: nearby and distant hay meadows. Pastures are classified into pastures near settlements, mountain pastures, and pastures for sheep. Traditional management of meadows includes mowing, cleaning, mowing-date rotation of tracts, amelioration with hayseed and Onobrychis viciifolia seeds, manuring, manual thinning of unwanted plants, suppression of mosses, and small-scale drainage. We argue that the mowing-date rotation system found in Gyimes is a unique land-use practice that could greatly enhance biodiversity together with hayseed scattering. Treatment of pastures is more simple: sectional cleaning of shrubs/trees, and burning and corralling against Nardus. The goal of Csángós is not to protect biodiversity, but to keep their grasslands in good condition for a long run, and thus ascertain the availability of hay in the needed quantity and quality. We argue that subsidy systems should encourage the maintenance of this and similar systems, support the still existing local traditional communities and also in protected areas management systems should build on the experiences of these small-scale traditional farmers.

Regrowth of enterococci indicator in an open recycled-water impoundment

The purpose of the research was to assess the potential for enterococci faecal-indicator to regrow in recycled water while under environmentally-open storage. Regrowth would result in false-positive indicator results with possible downgrading, rejection or over-chlorination of recycled water. The research setting was the main 93-megalitre storage impoundment of the Hawkesbury Water Recycling Scheme in Sydney's North West, receiving tertiary treated (chlorinated) effluent from the Richmond sewage treatment plant. The water is used to irrigate horticultural food crops, pasture for dairy cattle, sheep, deer and horses, and for the maintenance of lawns and sports fields. Highly significant positive relationships were noted in multivariate analysis between indicator counts and the growth factors atmospheric temperature and UV254 unfiltered as proxy for total organic carbon (p=0.001 and 0.003 respectively). Nitrate and phosphate did not show significant relationships suggesting that these nutrients may not be growth-limiting at levels found in recycled water. Rainfall and wild duck presence did not appear to have an impact on enterococcal growth in the study. The overall predictive power of the regression model was shown to be highly significant (p=0.001). These findings will assist in recycled water monitoring and the revision of guidelines, with potential for the reduction of the chlorination by-product burden on the environment. A formula derived for the relationship between the indicator and atmospheric temperature could be used in food-production and climate-change modelling.

Is the pathogenic ergot fungus a conditional defensive mutualist for its host grass?

It is well recognized, that outcomes of mutualistic plant-microorganism interactions are often context dependent and can range from mutualistic to antagonistic depending on conditions. Instead, seemingly pathogenic associations are generally considered only harmful to plants. The ergot fungus (Claviceps purpurea) is a common seed pathogen of grasses and cereals. Ergot sclerotia contain alkaloids which can cause severe toxicity in mammals when ingested, and thus the fungal infection might provide protection for the host plant against mammalian herbivores. Theoretically, the net effect of ergot infection would positively affect host seed set if the cost is not too high and the defensive effect is strong enough. According to our empirical data, this situation is plausible. First, we found no statistically significant seed loss in wild red fescue (Festuca rubra) inflorescences due to ergot infection, but the seed succession decreased along increasing number of sclerotia. Second, in a food choice experiment, sheep showed avoidance against forage containing ergot. Third, the frequency of ergot-infected inflorescences was higher in sheep pastures than surrounding ungrazed areas, indicating a protective effect against mammalian grazing. We conclude that, although ergot can primarily be categorized as a plant pathogen, ergot infection may sometimes represent indirect beneficial effects for the host plant. Ergot may thus serve as a conditional defensive mutualist for its host grass, and the pathogenic interaction may range from antagonistic to mutualistic depending on the situation.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus and Louping-Ill Virus May Co-Circulate in Southern Norway

The European subtype of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV-Eu) and louping-ill virus (LIV) are two closely related tick-borne flaviviruses. However, whereas the first is the cause of one of Europe's most important zoonoses, the latter most often only causes disease in sheep and grouse. TBEV-Eu is typically found in the forests of central and northeastern Europe, and LIV typically is found in sheep pastures in the British Isles. In the 1980s, however, LIV was isolated from sheep with encephalomyelitis in Norway. In the 1990s, the first cases of human TBEV were also detected in this country, but while Louping-ill in sheep is very rare, the number of human TBEV cases is increasing. No larger investigations of TBEV and/or LIV seroprevalence and distribution in Norway have been published. However, before such studies are initiated, it is pertinent to know if LIV and TBEV are potentially co-circulating. In the current study, we examined if antibodies against LIV and TBEV were found in wild cervids in one location (Farsund) in southern and one location (Molde) in northwestern Norway using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of anti-TBEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) and a hemagglutination inhibition test for anti-LIV IgG. Positive results were confirmed by serum neutralization tests. In Farsund, 22 of 54 cervids had antibodies against TBEV and 8 antibodies against LIV. In Molde, 1 of 64 cervids was confirmed positive for TBEV, whereas none were positive for LIV. This shows that TBEV and LIV may co-circulate in southern Norway and that virus(es) antigenetically very similar to TBEV may be found in northwestern Norway. The latter is intriguing, because the climatic conditions typical of TBEV locations should not be expected this far north.

Are all pastures eligible for conservation? A phytosociological survey of the Sardinian–Corsican Province as a basic tool for the Habitats Directive

A consistent vegetation classification is an essential tool for conservation and monitoring purposes, also for semi-natural habitats such as pastures and hay meadows that are linked to traditional land use and generally considered crucial to maintain biodiversity within agricultural systems. Indeed, these habitats can be strongly affected by land abandonment or agriculture intensification. Despite their importance in the framework of the EU Habitats Directive (43/92/EEC), information on distribution, species composition, and conservation status is still lacking for many regions. To fill these gaps, we investigated from a phytosociological point of view the sheep pastures of the North-Western Sardinian trachy-basaltic sector. Three main communities were described as new: (i) perennial montane (meso-supratemperate) cattle and sheep pastures (Loto alpini-Festucetum morisianae); (ii) mixed (annual and perennial) Mediterranean (lower Thermomediterranean to lower supratemperate) sheep pastures (Ornithogalo corsici-Poetum bulbosae); and (iii) annual ploughed subnitrophilous Mediterranean and Temperate pastures (Cynosuro polybracteati-Vulpietum ligusticae). As the first two host numerous endemic taxa and show a peculiar floristic composition, we assign them a higher conservation value, testified also by their classification in two new syntaxa: Danthonio decumbentis-Caricenion insularis (Molinio-Arrhenatheretea) and Ornithogalo corsici-Trifolienion subterranei (Poetea bulbosae), respectively.

Summer-active perennials in pasture systems improve seasonal pasture distribution without compromising winter-spring production

Improved dryland pastures for sheep and beef cattle production in south-western Victoria are typically based on summer-dormant cultivars of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) or phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.). These are highly productive in spring but exhibit low accumulation rates over summer–autumn. Summer-active perennial pasture species could potentially alleviate this summer–autumn feed gap. Three pasture systems that used different pastures on each of the three landscape classes (crest, slope, and valley floor) were compared over 4 years. The perennial ryegrass system (henceforth Ryegrass) had a different ryegrass cultivar on each landscape class. The Triple system used lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) (crest), perennial ryegrass (slope), and summer-active tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb) Darbysh.) (valley floor). The Novel system used chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) (crest), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) or hybrid ryegrass (L. × boucheanum Kunth.) (slope), and kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. ex Chiov.) (valley floor). The pastures were grazed by either one (in the case of the Novel system) or three (in the case of the Ryegrass and Triple systems) animal systems that varied over the life of the experiment. Total annual herbage accumulation of the Ryegrass and Triple systems did not differ. The Novel system consistently had lower total annual dry matter accumulation than the other two systems. Lucerne pastures generally had the highest accumulation rates over summer, followed by the chicory pastures. The kikuyu pastures responded well to summer rainfall but otherwise had similar accumulation rates to the perennial ryegrass and tall fescue pastures over summer. Tall fescue pastures grew well in autumn following wet summers. In spring the perennial ryegrass pastures based on Fitzroy or Avalon were highly productive but seldom grew faster than other pastures. The results support the hypothesis that incorporating deep-rooted, summer-active perennial species will increase pasture production over summer–autumn compared with conventional pasture systems but not at the expense of winter–spring production.

Centaurea Species Attractive Transylvanian (Romania) Endemic and Rare Plants with High Potential as Flowering Garden Plant

The wild flora of Romania includes many species presenting with decorative value, some ofthem being introduced already in culture and other could represent in the future, new and importanthorticultural resource. In Romania, only a few species from Centaurea genus were introduced asornamental crops. This genus has many rare and vulnerable species with ornamental value, which aregrown on very small areas. The red lists of vascular plants include 19 species from Centaurea genusand only six species are grown in the intra-Carpathian area (Transylvania area): Centaurearatezatensis Prod., C. rarauensis Prod., C. maramarosensis (JAiv.) DostAil, C. pinnatifida Schur., C.kotskyana Heuff., C. reichenbachii DC. Other species like C. atropurpurea W.et K., C. pugioniformisNyar. or C. phrygia subsp. carpatica (Porc.) Dost. are not threatened but they can become vulnerablein the future due to habitats destruction and sheep pasturing. At the finally of this list is addedCentaurea orientalis L. species which is frequently presents in extra-Carpathian area but it is very rarein Transylvanian area. Part of this species (C. atropurpurea W. et K., C. ratezatensis Prod., and C.orientalis L.) have been studied in situ between 2010-2012, and their decorative characters wereobserved in the garden conditions. Some decorative characters of both cultivated and spontaneousplants were analyzed and compared and the results were statistically interpreted. In conclusion, thispaper presents the biological and ecological particularities of each Centaurea species, as well thefrequency, endemic character, regional distribution and sozological category.

Effects of stocking rate and closing date on subterranean clover populations and dry matter production in dryland sheep pastures

The effect of stocking rate (8.3 [low] and 13.9 [high] ewes+twin lambs/ha) and time of closing in the spring on subterranean clover morphology, phenology, seedling population and the subsequent clover and pasture dry matter production were monitored over 2 years in a cocksfoot-subterranean clover pasture. Mean subterranean clover seedling populations (per m2), measured in autumn 2007, after grazing treatments in the previous spring, were greater (P<0.05) at the low (2850±267) compared with the high (2500±217) stocking rate and with the earlier closing dates (P<0.05) (3850±398, 2950±242, 2100±126 and 1700±152 at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after the first flower, respectively). Seedling populations measured in 2008, after grazing treatments in the second spring, were lower at both stocking rates (1290±89 at low and 1190±70 at high) and at each closing date (1470±84, 1320±84 and 940±66 at 3, 5 and 8 weeks after the first flower, respectively). The effect of stocking rate and closing dates in spring on pasture and clover production in the following autumn was proportional to seedling numbers in both years. Clover production in the following spring was unaffected by stocking rate or closing date in the previous year at the relatively high seedling populations generated by the treatments.

Seasonal prediction of in situ pasture macronutrients in New Zealand pastoral systems using hyperspectral data

To evaluate the ability of field remote sensing for predicting pasture macronutrients, hyperspectral reflectance data between 350 and 2500 nm were acquired from a number of dairy and sheep pasture canopies in New Zealand. Reflectance factor, absorbance, derivatives, and continuum-removal data were regressed against pasture nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) concentrations using partial least squares regression (PLSR). Overall, more accurate predictions were achieved using the first derivative data. The accuracy of the PLSR calibration models to predict pasture N, P, and K concentrations increased with the separation of the pasture samples by season. Predictions with reasonable accuracy (coefficient of determination, R 2 > 0.74, and the ratio of standard deviation (SD) of the nutrients measured to the root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSECV) ≥ 2.0) were obtained for N during winter (RMSECV ≤ 0.23%), autumn (RMSECV ≤ 0.36%), and summer (RMSECV ≤ 0.43%) seasons; P during autumn (RMSECV = 0.05%); and K during summer (RMSECV = 0.33%).

Estrutura e valor nutritivo de pastos de capins Tanzânia e Marandu aos 22 e 36 dias de rebrota para ovinos¹

Esta pesquisa foi desenvolvida durante a estação chuvosa no setor de caprinos do Departamento de Zootecnia da Universidade Federal do Piauí com o objetivo de avaliar a estrutura do pasto e o valor nutritivo para ovinos de pastos dos capins Marandu e Tanzânia aos 22 e 36 dias de crescimento. Foram avaliadas a massa de forragem, altura, porcentagem de folhas, de colmos e de material morto do pasto, a composição químicobromatológica, digestibilidade e o consumo de forragem por ovinos. A ocorrência de veranicos durante o período de rebrota de 36 dias resultou no menor crescimento das plantas, sem que houvesse diferença entre as idades para a massa de forragem, altura do pasto e porcentagem de folhas. O prolongamento do período de crescimento resultou em aumento na proporção de material morto no pasto, queda do valor nutritivo da forragem, com redução do teor de proteína bruta e da digestibilidade e elevação dos teores de fibras em detergente neutro e acido. O consumo de forragem foi equivalente entre as gramíneas, sendo que aos 36 dias de rebrota o consumo de nutrientes seria suficiente apenas para a mantença, e o prolongamento do período de rebrota de 22 para 36 dias leva à redução no consumo de forragem por ovinos devido à queda na qualidade da forragem, tanto do seu valor nutritivo como da estrutura do dossel.

Optimising control of an agricultural weed in sheep-production pastures

Optimal integrated control strategies for the weed blackberry (Rubus anglocandicans) infesting sheep pastures in Australia are analysed for a range of different circumstances. A wide range of control strategies with moderate to high costs and efficacies are analysed, including chemicals, mowing, grazing goats and biological control. The study employs a stochastic dynamic simulation model and a stochastic dynamic programming model to find the optimal control strategies under different levels of infestation. Results show that the application of a biological control agent (Phragmidium violaceum) increases expected net present value (ENPV) by so little that it is not worth introducing. Results indicate that for higher initial infestation areas, the optimal control strategies include fewer control options, resulting in lower cost but also less effective control. This is because the control costs are proportional to the infestation area, so applying expensive control strategies in high infestation area has lower net benefits. When the labour cost of spraying chemicals increases and infestation area is high, it is optimal to replace chemicals with mowing. If the efficacy of chemicals increases it is optimal to use less effective and cheaper chemicals.

Vegetation changes in an abandoned montane grassland, compared to changes in a habitat with low-intensity sheep grazing – a case study in Styria, Austria

In protected areas maintaining existing phytodiversity is an important conservation target. In this study we analysed the effects of abandonment on plant species composition and species richness over a period of nine years in a montane grassland in the Long-term Ecosystem Research (LTER) region Eisenwurzen (Styria, Austria). Additional investigations concerned the number of Red Data List species, plant strategy types, Ellenberg indicator values, indicator values for mowing, grazing and trampling tolerance, temporal sequence of phenological phases and seven plant traits. We differentiated two topography-related habitat types: an initially species-rich sheep pasture on a steep, south-facing slope and a less species-rich meadow on a flat site immediately below, with a comparatively higher nutrient and water supply in the topsoil. Testing a possible management alternative, the effects of continued low-intensity sheep grazing on the slope were also analysed. In spring 2001, one permanent plot of 50 m² was established in the centre of each habitat type and treatment. Our results show that the long-term effects of abandonment on grassland vegetation depend largely on local site conditions. Nutrient availability in the soil seems to be an especially important factor. On the abandoned flat site, floristic composition and physiognomy changed dramatically within four years; a high species turnover and a decline in phytodiversity could be observed. In contrast, we found only minor effects on the abandoned slope site even nine years after abandonment. If the maintenance of existing phytodiversity is a conservation target, suitable management operations have to be carried out at shorter intervals (at least every 3 years) in habitats with nutrient-rich soils than in nutrient-poor habitats (approx. 5 to 10 years). From a nature conservation point of view, low-intensity sheep grazing may be a suitable management alternative to mowing.

Biodiversity and traditional sheep grazing in the south Banat region

In this paper the capacity for reintroduction of traditional sheep breeds as key resources for biodiversity conservation systems in HNV farming system of the South Banat region was analyzed. Taking the vulnerability of the ecosystem into consideration when creating the optimal grazing system based on traditional rearing breeds, can contribute to the protection of biodiversity in the South Banat region. The representatives of Fabaceae, Poaceae, Lamiaceae, Rosaceae and Apiaceae family were described. Basic nutritive components of pasture and mixed hay: crude moisture, crude ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude cellulose, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorous (P), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) were measured. Botanical analysis has confirmed the presence of plant diversity, as well as the nutritive value of sheep pastures. Chemical analyses of samples pointed out that the levels of crude proteins, cellulose, fats, macro and trace elements are sufficient to satisfy the requirements of low input sheep farming system and therefore can be considered a solid base for reintroduction of autochthonous sheep breeds in the peripheral parts of the Deliblato Sands area.

Humans and climate as drivers of algal community change in Windermere since 1850

1. Historical archives, published data sets and lake sediments from the North and South Basins of Windermere were analysed to reconstruct changes in the lake and catchment since 1850 and determine the drivers of limnological variability. 2. Pastoral sheep farming has remained the dominant form of agriculture since 1850, but there was a decline in horse numbers (because of agricultural mechanisation), an increase in nitrogen fertiliser use and a doubling in sheep numbers since the 1950s. The human population in the Windermere catchment almost quadrupled between 1801 and 1921 coincident with the arrival of the railway in 1847, which led to urban expansion, sewer and piped water installation (since ∼1860s) and the development of sewage treatment systems (after 1886). 3. C : N ratios and stable isotopes of carbon in 210Pb-dated sediment cores suggested that land disturbance increased the transport of terrestrial carbon to sediments of both basins after 1870, but algae increasingly contributed to the sediment matrix after ∼1890. Nitrogen-stable isotope ratios generally declined in both basins consistent with an increase in an isotopically light source such as atmospheric N deposition or synthetic fertilisers. 4. Chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments in sediment cores showed that algal production increased gradually in the North Basin from ∼1890 to 1940 to be maintained at higher abundance thereafter. South Basin pigments changed most markedly ∼1860 (increase in cyanobacterial pigments), ∼1945 (increase in siliceous algal and chlorophyte pigments) and ∼1987 (increase in cyanobacterial pigments). 5. Redundancy and variance partitioning analyses suggested that sewage influx and the modernisation of agriculture were strongly and positively correlated with algal abundance. However, climate variables were a secondary driver of algal change in both lake basins. 6. Enrichment of the lake was caused by a combination of increases in population (after 1847), more efficient sewage disposal, intensification of agriculture and atmospheric deposition of N, which led to a greater than fivefold increase in primary production in the North Basin and marked shifts in algal communities of the South Basin. 7. After enrichment, lake phytoplankton responded markedly to fluctuations in climate. High precipitation in January–March led to lower abundance of siliceous algae (mostly Asterionella formosa) in both lake basins, possibly because A. formosa inocula were diluted, thus limiting the spring diatom bloom. 8. This combined palaeolimnological and archival study has shown that eutrophication of Windermere occurred before the start of the lake monitoring programme in 1945, but that nutrient enrichment enhanced the lake response to meteorological change. Therefore, future management of Windermere should aim for baseline conditions similar to those existing c. 1850 and consider that the control of eutrophication is essential in building resilience to future climate change.