Pasture Vegetation Research Articles

Microbiome associated to an H2-emitting zone in the São Francisco basin Brazil

BackgroundDihydrogen (H₂) natural gas is a clean and renewable energy source of significant interest in the transition to sustainable energy. Unlike conventional petroleum-based fuels, H₂ releases only water vapor upon combustion, making it a promising alternative for reducing carbon footprints in the future. However, the microbial impact on H₂ dynamics in H2-emitting zones remains unclear, as does the origin of H2 — whether it is produced at greater depths or within shallow soil layers. In the São Francisco Basin, soil hydrogen concentrations of approximately 200 ppm were identified in barren ground depressions. In this study, we investigated the microbiome associated with this area using the 16S rRNA gene sequencing, with a focus on metabolic processes related to H₂ consumption and production. Soil samples were collected from two monitored (< 1 m) depths – 10 cm and 1 m – in the emission zone, which is predominantly covered with pasture vegetation, and from an adjacent area with medium and small trees.ResultsOur findings suggest that the H2-emitting zone significantly influences the composition and function of the microbiome, with Bacillus emerging as the dominant genus. In contrast to typical Cerrado soil, we observed a higher prevalence of Actinobacteriota (∼ 40%) and Firmicutes (∼ 20%). Additionally, we identified an abundance of sporulating bacteria and taxonomic groups previously described as H2-oxidizing bacteria.ConclusionsThe H2-emitting zone in the São Francisco Basin presents a unique opportunity to deepen our understanding of the impact of H₂ on microbial communities. This study is the first to characterize a natural H2-associated bacterial community in Cerrado soil using a culture-independent approach.

Altitude, geological substrate, and dynamics of Natura 2000 habitat types in Cretan low vegetation pastures

Altitude, geological substrate, and dynamics of Natura 2000 habitat types in Cretan low vegetation pastures

Remote Sensing Applied to Pasture Monitoring: A Review

Objective: The goal of this study was to review the results obtained by various authors for large-scale pasture monitoring via remote sensing; to monitor the development and degradation conditions of pastures according to case studies; and to analyze data, images, and Geographic Information System (GIS) procedures in relevant works. Theoretical Framework: In this topic, the principles that guided the literature review are presented, including a discussion of the search for remote sensing results related to pastures in large geographical areas, and case studies in works that denote the technological potential from field sampling and results worldwide are also presented. Method: Research methods associated with different themes, keywords, and regions were adopted to identify results from research in the area of remote sensing applied to surveying the conditions of pastures in the different typologies in the studied regions. Results and Discussion: The literature review in this study highlights the advances and methodologies developed for the evaluation of pasture conditions and mapping, from which it was possible to observe the stage of degradation of this vegetation, which is essential for agricultural production. Research Implications: The potential of using remote sensing materials and mechanisms for pasture assessment, mapping areas in stages of degradation and identifying vegetation vigor is highly valuable in large-scale pasture management. The presented literature indicates that pasture vegetation varies greatly according to geographic region, indicating great complexity in deriving its phenological conditions and showing that field campaigns are essential for the description and establishment of a relationship between the foliar canopy and sensor response. Originality/Value: This literature review addresses large-scale remote sensing surveys of pastures, contributing to research on the conditions of this vegetation. The bibliography presented in this review can support studies on mapping the pasture degradation process through remote sensing images and data.

Comparison Between the Sustainably- and Unsustainably-Managed Pastures: The Case of Urad-Middle Banner in Inner Mongolia, China

In order to compare the herd size, income level, and the vegetation in the sustainably-managed grazing pasture with unsustainably-managed grazing pasture, this study selected the two pastures that receive heavy-load of camel population and other two pastures receiving light-load of camel herds. In desert having xerophyite Zygophyllum xanthoxylum, the pastures were classified into unsustainably-managed herdsman pasture (UHPZ) and sustainably-managed herdsman pasture (SHPZ). In addition, pastures were ccategorized into unsustainably-managed herdsman pasture (UHPK) and sustainably-managed herdsman pasture (SHPK) in deserts dominated by Krascheninnikovia ceratoides. The vegetation volume of Zygophyllum xanthoxylum at SHPZ, UHPZ and the gravelization sample at UHPZ is 1560 cm3, 480 cm3 and 4 cm3, respectively. On the other hand, the vegetation volume of Krascheninnikovia ceratoides at SHPK, UHPK and the gravelization sample at UHPK is 840 cm3, 510 cm3 and 8 cm3, respectively. In addition, the herdsmen grazing animals in UHPZ and UHPK responded almost no income obtained over the past five years. In conclusion, the vegetation situation and the income level of the sustainable-managed pasture are significantly better than the unsustainable-managed pastures. The local ecological community maybe the major player in decision-making in favour of the Indigenous people, pastures’ vegetation management, and the livelihoods.

Vegetation and animal production in pastures sprayed for western ragweed control

AbstractWestern ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya DC) is one of the most common perennial, native forbs of western US rangelands. Cattle consume small quantities of western ragweed in their diets when present in the forage sward, and forage nutritive value tends to be greater than the associated grass component in those swards. Yet, many producers view western ragweed as an undesirable forb in rangelands. We conducted a study over two years to compare vegetative and stocker animal productivity in pastures that were either sprayed with dicamba at 6 oz/acre (0.19 lb a.i./acre) for western ragweed control or were left unsprayed. Pastures started the study with high western ragweed densities (&gt;9 western ragweed plants/ft2) before pasture treatment, and spraying with dicamba significantly reduced western ragweed density and yield compared to unsprayed pastures (0.2 vs. 3.5 ragweed plants/ft2, and 0 vs. 206 lb/acre, respectively). Grass production and total vegetation production were similar between treatments. Crude protein and total digestible nutrients of western ragweed was greater than grass at all mid‐season and end of season sampling dates both years. Stocker animal gain was not different between pastures sprayed for ragweed control and pastures left unsprayed in either year, nor when averaged over the two years (189 vs. 188 lb/head, sprayed vs. unsprayed, respectively). Beef production per acre was also similar. The spray treatment was an added expense that did not result in greater total forage, grass, or animal production. With natural fluctuations in western ragweed population densities due to weather patterns, producers will likely experience little benefit from spraying for western ragweed alone in pasture.

Differential effects on soil water repellency of Eucalyptus and Pinus plantations replacing natural pastures

ABSTRACT Land-use changes from native pastures to forest plantations in humid temperate areas have raised concerns about their potential impact on the environment. This study aimed to assess the effects of such changes on soil water properties, focusing on the impact of the forest species planted and their relationship with changes in soil C content. Specifically, we aimed to identify the development of surficial soil hydrophobicity and changes in soil water holding capacity. A long-term forest experiment with variable planting densities (816, 1111, and 2066 trees ha -1 ) of Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden and Pinus taeda L. was established in 2004 on native pasture vegetation. Undisturbed soil samples (0.00-0.03 m soil layer) were extracted from the experiment and surrounding pastures and soil water repellency was determined by the water drop penetration time (WDPT) method at three soil matric potential levels (SMP). Bootstrapping was used to test if the sample size was sufficient to obtain robust results. Replacing native pastures with forest plantations significantly increased surficial soil hydrophobicity, which was more pronounced under Eucalyptus grandis than under Pinus taeda. Soil water repellency increased with decreasing SMP, particularly in land-uses that generated higher initial hydrophobicity. Additionally, the soils under forest cover had less water retention capacity than those under pastures at each SMP, with larger differences when the soil was dried to more negative SMP. More research is necessary to determine if soil alterations from converting native pastures to forest plantations in temperate climates will lead to a significant decrease in soil water holding capacity and an increase in hydrophobicity at deeper depths.

Fitness benefits of grouping during foraging in beef cattle: Social behaviour or affinity to vegetation resources?

Grouping behaviour in gregarious species expresses a dynamic cost-benefit equilibrium. The balance between costs and benefits differs amongst individuals that were selected to maximize their individual fitness. In environments where resources are limited, benefits of grouping may come at the expense of increased competition over resources. This study aimed to test whether grouping behaviour during foraging in a free-ranging beef cattle herd is a social choice bearing fitness benefits for all participants, or reflects affinity to vegetation resources with possible differentiating fitness benefits. GPS location data were recorded in a herd of 60 beef cows grazing a semi-arid pasture in northern Israel. Pasture vegetation was chemically and spectrally analysed. GPS location data were used to investigate individual and shared foraging locations and the temporal sequence of initiating foraging movement. Co-travel function in ArcPro v3.0 was used to investigate the amount and variability of individual proximity associations and their correlation with fitness. Fitness proxies were conception result (yes/no) and the interval between calving and conception within the cows who conceived. A positive correlation was found between fitness and the individual number of proximity associations, but not with the variability in associations' partners. No significant correlations were found between fitness and vegetation biomass, N content and spectral properties measured by REEVI2 index in foraging locations. Individual sequence of arrival at shared foraging locations and foraging movement initiation sequence were also not correlated with fitness. Vegetation biomass in grouping locations was lower than in individually foraged locations, but no difference was found in N content between individual and shared foraging locations. No differences were found in vegetation biomass and N content between herd foraging locations and random locations, thus no evidence for herd foraging strategy aimed to increase biomass or N consumption was found. No further differences in pasture resources availability, i.e., water, shade, human or predator presence could explain grouping. Circular variance values implied the absence of preferred movement direction. Our results suggest that grouping during foraging is fitness beneficial and is not related to vegetation biomass or N content. Our results further suggest the absence of consistent leading individuals and no significant correlations between foraging movement initiation and fitness. This study provides insights into social and vegetation factors affecting cattle foraging behaviour in constrained pasture, and may allow ranchers to improve grazing management systems. We suggest that further research into pasture characteristics that affect beef cattle pasture location choice is needed.

Selenium status of beef cattle in the Czech Republic

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of selenium (Se) deficiency in Angus Aberdeen (AA) cows and calves during the grazing season on several farms in different geographical locations of the Czech Republic. Selenium deficiency was diagnosed by measuring Se concentrations in whole blood. A total of 78 cows and 78 calves aged 3 to 6 months were examined in eight herds. The reference range of blood Se in cows and calves is 80 to 120 ug/l. Lower values are indicative of deficiency. Overall, Se deficiency was observed in 39.75% cows and 80.76% calves. Suboptimal Se status was mainly a consequence of low Se concentration in pasture vegetation. The Se concentration in plants ranged from 0.032 to 0.086 mg/kg on dry matter basis. Selenium deficiency adversely affected fertility and natality in cattle. In the herd with the highest prevalence of Se deficiency (Herd 2), the number of calves reared till 6 months of age per 100 cows (natality) was as low as 80. The findings show that the grazing cattle suffered from major Se deficiency. The results of the study highlight the importance of implementing early diagnosis, effective prevention, and use of appropriate mineral supplements.

ВОЗОБНОВЛЕНИЕ КАРАГАНЫ ОРАНЖЕВОЙ (CARAGANA AURANTIACA KOEHNE.) НА ПАСТБИЩНЫХ УГОДЬЯХ ВНУТРЕННЕГО ТЯНЬ-ШАНЯ В СУУСАМЫРСКОЙ ДОЛИНЕ

Over the past decades, pasture vegetation has been affected by anthropogenic factors in the study area. Poor grazing management and an annual increase in livestock have negatively affected the feed base. In addition, regeneration of ungrazed plant species is revealed. Studies of the experimental plots have established a herbicide impact on Caragana aurantiaca Koehne. The yearly observations show that the above-ground phytomass does not die completely, regrowth from the root and growth of young shoots are recorded

Poisonous and harmful plants of pastures in the Kyzylkum desert (Uzbekistan)

The paper studied poisonous and harmful plants that were distributed in Kyzylkum desert condition (Uzbekistan). The research was conducted over the years 2012-2024. The forage flora of Kyzylkum consists of 908 species of vascular plants belonging to 345 genera and 68 families. During the research, 34 families, 73 poisonous plants belonging to 55 genus and 6 families, 39 harmful plants belonging to 13 genera were identified. The vast majority of poisonous and harmful plants are xerophytes. The analysis of poisonous plants of the studied territory in relation to soil moisture showed that the vast majority of them belong to xerophytes, which confirms the arid nature of the pastoral flora of Kyzylkum. The dominant positions of annual plants in the forage flora of the study area have been revealed, which are an alarming indicator of increasing anthropogenic pressure on pasture vegetation. The colossal role of haze and compound flowers in the pasture vegetation of Central Asia has been established and the expediency of separating them into separate groups according to economic relations has been proved.

Vegetation and Animal Production in Pastures Sprayed for Western Ragweed Control

Vegetation and Animal Production in Pastures Sprayed for Western Ragweed Control

Iodine in soils, pasture vegetation cuttings, and local food products of certain regions of Russia affected by the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident

Natural iodine deficiency, which in some regions of Russia provokes thyroid diseases, increases the consequences of the entry of short-lived radioactive isotopes of this element into the food chain as a result of the Chernobyl accident (1986). The aim of the work is to assess the risk of morbidity of the population of the Kaluga, Bryansk and Oryol regions with thyroid cancer at the level of individual settlements based on experimental data. The iodine content in soils and vegetation cuttings of pastures in geochemically contrasting landscapes, as well as in cows' milk and potatoes of private household farms in the regions affected by the Chernobyl accident in 1986: Bryansk (2021), Oryol (2022) and Kaluga (2023) regions was studied. Joint expeditions of the Laboratory of Environmental Biogeochemistry of GEOKHI RAS and the Department of Human Ecology and Bioelementology of the Institute of Ecology of RUDN, carried out on the initiative and with the participation of the authors, revealed a significant variation of iodine concentration in soils and food products, which may be crucial for assessing the risk of thyroid diseases, including thyroid cancer, among the local rural population. The iodine content was found to be highly variable in both topsoil (0.31-3.04 mg/kg) and grass cuttings (0.14-0.29 mg/kg) of the study area. The maximum natural and technogenic risk of thyroid cancer morbidity in the rural population as a result of the consequences of the Chernobyl accident of 1986 is specific for the studied settlements of Zhizdrinsky district of Kaluga region, Bolkhovsky, Dmitrovsky and Sverdlovsky districts of Oryol region, Rognedinsky district of Bryansk region.

Radioecological modeling of the 131I activity dynamics in the pasture vegetation of Mazovia in the year of the Chernobyl accident: Reconstruction, verification, reliability assessments

Radioecological modeling of the 131I activity dynamics in the pasture vegetation of Mazovia in the year of the Chernobyl accident: Reconstruction, verification, reliability assessments

The Effects of Breeding Practices and Fertilization on Vegetation in Barren Pasture The Case of Kastamonu

The research was conducted in the pasture of Alpagut village of Kastamonu center (410 25' 48.52''N, 330 55' 20.54D, altitude 851 m) located in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey to determine the changes in pasture vegetation caused by pasture soil improvement and management practices. Fertilization was applied according to pasture soil analysis, brush clearing and alternate grazing system was applied. Pasture vegetation change was measured by modified wheeled loop method in the pre- and post-improvement periods. It was determined that breeding practices increased the proportion of legumes, other families and perennial plants and contributed to the formation of a balanced vegetation. The proportions of declining, reproductive, invasive and annual species were 11.50%, 5.10%, 46.75% and 33%, respectively, before pasture topsoil reclamation, while there was a decrease in annual species in the post-reclamation period. There was an increase in declining, reproductive and invasive species. It was found to be 26.66%, 15.39%, 55.86% and 17.00%, respectively. While Bromus sp., Sanguisorba minor, Fumana arabica, Festuca ovina species were dominant in the pasture area in the pre-improvement period, Bothriochloa ischaemum, Teucrium chamaedrys, Festuca ovina and Astragalus frickii species became dominant after the improvement. It was determined that breeding and management practices increased the area covered with vegetation from 74.00% to 98.00%, the proportion of legumes from 1% to 12%, and the pasture condition and health classification from poor-healthy to moderate-healthy category. It is recommended that the grazing plan for pasture sustainability be maintained.

Evaluation of pasture degradation through vegetation indices of the main livestock micro-watersheds in the Amazon region (NW Peru)

Pastures provide different ecosystem services, such as carbon dioxide fixation, are indicators of climate change and prevent soil erosion. However, anthropogenic activities degrade and decrease soil diversity. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate pasture degradation using vegetation indices. For this purpose, the floristic composition was evaluated by means of linear transects (50 m) to determine the percentage of area covered by forages and weeds; the Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Pasture Vegetation Cover (PVC) assessment methodology were used to determine pasture degradation, and the chemical properties of the soils were characterized. The degradation map showed that the range "S4-Strongly degraded (CVP, <40%) for the Pomacochas micro-watershed is 2.60% (93.43 ha); however, in Ventilla, 0.40% (8.95 ha) was obtained. An equation was generated from a multiple linear regression model and a principal component analysis (PCA) of the main regressor variables. The results were obtained for both micro-watersheds with an R2 greater than 60% determined by CVP + Bands 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and pH. In addition, the PCA showed that at acidic pH, the percentage of degradation increased, reaching the level of advanced degradation in both micro-watersheds under study, and when the pH values were close to neutrality, they indicated optimal zones for pasture production. This study provides a new source of information regarding the degradation of high Andean grasslands. It is also the basis for further research in the agricultural sector.

The telomerase effect. Oncological aspects of gastric stump cancer (methodology and literature review)

Aim. To assessing the prospects for the integral interdisciplinary characteristics of the modern strategy of oncological surgery for gastric stump cancer (GSC), which allow us to formulate the concept of a more physiological surgery.Materials and Methods. The study used gastrobiopsies taken specifically during fibrogastroscopy in the area of the anastomosis in patients who had undergone gastrectomy in the past for pyloroduodenal ulcers using the first and second Billroth methods. Depending on the time elapsed after gastrectomy, observations were divided into 2 groups.Results. In 45 patients with post‐resection gastritis (based on a morphometric, statistical study of the lymphoid tissue of the mucous membrane of the gastric stump), there was established: a significant (p &lt;0.05) increase in the number of interepithelial lymphocytes (from 5.14 to 30.60) of the plasmatization index of the lamina propria of the mucous membrane in comparison with the control group (from 4.9 to 46.70), increasing in time after surgery, which is associated with the progression of atrophic gastritis. This relationship is most clearly observed (p&lt;0.005) over 15 years after gastrectomy, according to Hoffmeister–Finsterer.Conclusions. A study of the components of the natural environment was carried out: sources of drinking water supply: phenol, manganese, copper, formaldehyde and in samples of pasture vegetation: iron, chromium, nickel, cadmium; with the establishment of inflated indicators (MPC). Early diagnosis in the preclinical stage with screening monitoring in the group of patients with resected stomach after 10 years or more remains extremely relevant. The hypothesis put forward by Yu.I. was confirmed to be correct by Fishson–Ryss that antral gastritis after gastric gastritis for peptic ulcer disease tends to antrocardial expansion with the progression of atrophic gastritis, which is a background component for the development of gastric stump cancer.

Urbanisation threats to dairy cattle health: Insights from Greater Bengaluru, India

Complex urbanisation dynamics, on the one hand, create a high demand for animal products, and on the other hand put enormous pressure on arable land with negative consequences for animal feed production. To explore the impact of accelerated urbanisation on dairy cattle health in urban farming systems, 151 farmers from different parts of the Greater Bengaluru metropolitan area in India were individually interviewed on aspects addressing cattle management and cattle health. In addition, 97 samples of forages from the shores of 10 different lakes, and vegetable leftovers used in cattle feeding were collected for nutritional analysis. Along with the use of cultivated forages, crop residues, and concentrate feed, 47% and 77% of the farmers occasionally or frequently used lake fodder and food leftovers, respectively. Nutritionally, lake fodder corresponded to high-quality pasture vegetation, but 43% of the samples contained toxic heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and lead above official critical threshold levels. Therefore, lake fodder may affect cows’ health if consumed regularly; however, heavy metal concentrations varied between lakes (P < 0.05), but not between fodder types (P > 0.05). Although 60% of the interviewed farmers believed that their cows were in good health, logit model applications revealed that insufficient drinking water supply and the use of lake fodder negatively impacted cattle health (P < 0.05). While it remains unknown if regular feeding of lake fodder results in heavy metal accumulation in animal products, farmers and farm advisors must address this and other urbanization-related challenges to protect cattle health.Graphical abstract

Organic Silicon in Plants as a Limiting Factor of Forage Digestibility in the Nutrition of Herbivorous Mammals

The effect of organic forms of silicon contained in plant tissues on the digestibility of feed for herbivorous mammals has been studied. In the process of digestion, an extremely small part of the consumed silicon is assimilated, which makes it possible to use organic silicon naturally contained in plants as an indicator of the digestibility of plant foods. The consumed silicon reduces the digestibility of the feed, puts a limit on the fermentation of the consumed vegetable substrate and its structural components (fiber, lignin). With an increase in the part of silicon in the consumed vegetation per unit, the digestibility decreases linearly by 3–4 units. The fermentation limit is set when the silicon content in the feed is within 3–4% of the dry weight. Among the main groups of forage plants (grasses and forbs), the amount of silicon is significantly higher in grasses (1.70 and 0.91%, respectively). For this reason, the digestibility of grasses in all compared animals (camels, Przewalski’s horses, bison, saiga) is 1.2–1.4 times lower than the digestibility of forbs. With an increase in the proportion of grasses in feed per unit, the digestibility of feed in animals with different types of digestion (ruminant, monogastric) decreases linearly by an average of 0.16 units. The different digestibility of grasses and forbs causes the separation of herbivores by types of nutrition and food specialization. Consumers of various forbs (saigas) avoid the consumption of grasses and are not viable with their dominance in pasture vegetation. The specific features of the digestion of herbivores (Equidae, Bovidae) provide an increased volume of consumption, compensating for the reduced digestibility of grasses.

AGROTECHNOLOGY FOR FEED CULTIVATION AND CREATION OF HAYFIELDS AND PASTURES IN THE FOREST AND STEPPE ZONE OF NORTHERN KAZAKHSTAN

A high-quality feed base is a must to ensure the growing of numerous animals via selecting promising high-yielding crops that can provide livestock with feeds at the entire production stage. This study purposed to develop new technologies for reinstating a balanced use of pastures in Kazakhstan’s steppe and forest-steppe zones. Several investigations succeeded in 2019–2022 at the Service-ZHARS Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) production fields of District Kyzylzhar, North Kazakhstan. Five chosen pasture combinations created multifactor pasture lands, as follows: common alfalfa + Festulolium; awnless brome + yellow sweet clover; common alfalfa + pasture ryegrass + Festulolium; white sweet clover + awnless brome + Timothy grass, and sainfoin + Festulolium + pasture ryegrass + Timothy grass. For haymaking and pasture chain construction, the following grass combinations selected comprised two-pasture grasses (previous years' brome and Timothy grass + common alfalfa + sainfoin) and seven hay grasses (vetch + oats, Sudan grass, sorghum-Sudan grass hybrid + sorghum, corn for silage, sorghum, peas + oats + barley + wheat, and peas). The use of droughtresistant legumes, cereals, and arable crops and their mixtures positively impacted intensifying the feed base and reducing the pasture areas’ degradation. Thus, in the first experiment, the green mass collection was higher than 3.33 t ha-1 , while in the second one, it was below 4.75 t ha-1 , which fully bestowed the physiological needs of animals. The species diversity of pasture vegetation has improved because of beans’ inclusion, possibly enhancing the protein ratio in green feed and hay as the main component of the farm animals' diet.

Mapping the regeneration potential of native vegetation in cultivated pastures of the Brazilian Cerrado.

The Brazilian Cerrado is a hotspot of biodiversity conservation and an important global agricultural region. Cultivated pastures under different degradation levels are dominant in the landscape and are being targeted for sustainable agricultural intensification and restoration of native vegetation. In this study, we classified the cultivated pastures of the Brazilian Cerrado according to their potential for natural regeneration, based on field surveys and environmental predictors. We surveyed the native vegetation cover in 186 plots distributed along 93 cultivated pastures. The environmental predictors considered in this study were the proportion of sand in the soil, cation exchange capacity, climate water deficit, pasture age, slope, and pasture vigor index. We then applied the Random Forest regression algorithm to predict and map the cultivated pastures according to their potential for natural regeneration in the 19 Cerrado ecoregions. The potential for natural regeneration was classified into low (< 30% of native plant cover), medium (30-50%), and high (> 50%). Our prediction explained 75% of the data variability. Most of the cultivated pastures presented medium potential for natural regeneration (57%), while 31% and 12% presented high and low potentials, respectively. Cultivated pastures in ecoregions with high mechanization, due to their high water availability and extensive flat terrains, presented low potential for natural regeneration. This first attempt to map the potential for natural regeneration in the cultivated pastures of the Brazilian Cerrado can be used as a proxy for planning low-cost and predictable restoration or environmentally sustainable intensification in this major type of land use found in this biome.