Understanding anthropogenic influences on soil respiration (Rs) is critical for accurate predictions of soil carbon fluxes, but it is not known how Rs responds to grazing exclusion (GE). Here, we conducted a manipulative experiment in a meadow grassland on the Tibetan Plateau to investigate the effects of GE on Rs. The exclusion of livestock significantly increased soil moisture and above\uffe2\uff80\uff90ground biomass, but it decreased soil temperature, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and Rs. Regression analysis indicated that the effects of GE on Rs were mainly due to changes in soil temperature, soil moisture, and MBC. Compared with the grazed blocks, GE significantly decreased soil carbon release by 23.6% over the growing season and 21.4% annually, but it increased the temperature sensitivity (Q10) of Rs by 6.5% and 14.2% for the growing season and annually respectively. Therefore, GE may reduce the release of soil carbon from the Tibetan Plateau, but under future climate warming scenarios, the increases in Q10 induced by GE could lead to increased carbon emissions.
", "keywords": ["570", "MICROBIAL RESPIRATION", "Environmental Sciences & Ecology", "Plant Productivity", "Temperature Sensitivity", "ALPINE GRASSLAND", "630", "Microbial Biomass Carbon", "NORTHERN CHINA", "SEASONAL PATTERNS", "MOUNTAIN GRASSLANDS", "Grazing Exclusion", "Tibetan Plateau", "PLANT-COMMUNITIES", "Original Research", "2. Zero hunger", "Science & Technology", "CLIMATE-CHANGE", "CO2 EFFLUX", "Ecology", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "INNER-MONGOLIA", "BELOW-GROUND BIOMASS", "Soil Respiration", "13. Climate action", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "Life Sciences & Biomedicine"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.1867"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Ecology%20and%20Evolution", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1002/ece3.1867", "name": "item", "description": "10.1002/ece3.1867", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1002/ece3.1867"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2016-01-11T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1002/jsfa.7302", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Closed Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:55:07Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2015-06-10", "title": "Long-Term Impacts Of Grazing Intensity On Soil Carbon Sequestration And Selected Soil Properties In The Arid Eastern Cape, South Africa", "description": "AbstractBACKGROUNDLittle is known about how basic soil properties respond to contrasting grazing intensities in the Karoo biome, South Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate impacts of long\uffe2\uff80\uff90term (>75 years) grazing at 1.18 heads ha\uffe2\uff88\uff921 (heavy; CGH), 0.78 heads ha\uffe2\uff88\uff921 (light; CGL), and exclosure on selected soil properties. Soil samples were collected to a depth of 60 cm from the long\uffe2\uff80\uff90term experimental site of Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute, Eastern Cape. The samples were analyzed for C, N, bulk density and infiltration rate, among others.
RESULTSGenerally, heavy and light grazing reduced soil N storage by 27.5% and 22.6%, respectively, compared with the exclosure. Animal exclusion improved water infiltration rate and C stocks significantly (P < 0.05), which was 0.128, 0.097, and 0.093 Mg ha\uffe2\uff88\uff921 yr\uffe2\uff88\uff921 for exclosure, CGL and CGH, respectively. Soil penetration resistance was higher for grazing treatments in the top 3\uffe2\uff80\uff937 cm soil layer but for exclosure at the top 1 cm soil surface.
CONCLUSIONAlthough livestock exclusion has the potential to improve C sequestration, a sufficient resting period for 1\uffe2\uff80\uff932 years followed by three consecutive grazing years at light stocking rate would be ideal for sustainable livestock production in this arid region of South Africa. \uffc2\uffa9 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
", "keywords": ["570", "Livestock", "Time Factors", "Nitrogen", "[SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]", "continuous grazing", "01 natural sciences", "630", "nitrogen", "Soil", "South Africa", "arid lands", "Animals", "exclosure", "Ecosystem", "0105 earth and related environmental sciences", "2. Zero hunger", "carbon", "Feeding Behavior", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "Plants", "15. Life on land", "Carbon", "6. Clean water", "[SDV] Life Sciences [q-bio]", "soil properties", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.7302"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Journal%20of%20the%20Science%20of%20Food%20and%20Agriculture", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1002/jsfa.7302", "name": "item", "description": "10.1002/jsfa.7302", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1002/jsfa.7302"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2015-07-03T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1002/ldr.2736", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:55:08Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2017-02-27", "title": "Contrasting Effects of Aridity and Grazing Intensity on Multiple Ecosystem Functions and Services in Australian Woodlands", "description": "AbstractGlobal change is expected to reduce the provision of multiple ecosystem services in drylands, the largest biome on Earth. Understanding the relative importance of climate change and overgrazing on ecosystems services is critical for predicting the effects of global change on ecosystem well\uffe2\uff80\uff90being. We generated a system\uffe2\uff80\uff90level understanding of the effects of climate (aridity intensity) and land use intensification (herbivore grazing intensity) on four regulating ecosystem services (C\uffe2\uff80\uff90storage, N\uffe2\uff80\uff90availability and P\uffe2\uff80\uff90availability, and organic matter decomposition) and one provisioning service (plant production) in wooded drylands from eastern Australia. Climate change and grazing intensity had different effects on multiple ecosystem services. Increasing aridity from 0\uffc2\uffb719 (dry subhumid) to 0\uffc2\uffb763 (arid) had consistent suppressive effects on C\uffe2\uff80\uff90storage, N\uffe2\uff80\uff90availability, decomposition and plant biomass services, but not on P\uffe2\uff80\uff90availability. The magnitude of these suppressive effects was greater than any effects due to grazing. All sites showed evidence of kangaroo grazing, but the heaviest grazing was due to cattle (dung: range 0\uffe2\uff80\uff934545\uffc2\uffa0kg ha\uffe2\uff88\uff921; mean 142\uffc2\uffa0kg ha\uffe2\uff88\uff921). Any effects of grazing on ecosystem services were herbivore specific and ranged from positive to neutral or negative. Sheep, and to a lesser extent cattle, were associated with greater N\uffe2\uff80\uff90availability. Rabbits, however, had a greater effect on P\uffe2\uff80\uff90availability than aridity. Our study suggests that increases in livestock grazing may fail to sustain ecosystem services because of the generally stronger negative effect of increasing aridity on most ecosystem services in our model dryland. These services are likely therefore to decline with global increases in aridity. Copyright \uffc2\uffa9 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Quantifying the effects of grazing on soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition is of crucial importance for understanding soil C dynamics. However, less attention has been paid to the pool\uffe2\uff80\uff90specific SOC decomposition and the underlying factors associated with each C pool, representing critical knowledge gaps on soil C dynamics. In this study, we applied a state\uffe2\uff80\uff90of\uffe2\uff80\uff90the\uffe2\uff80\uff90art Bayesian data assimilation technique to re\uffe2\uff80\uff90analyze previous soil incubation data to examine how herbivores influenced the fraction and cumulative respiration of labile and recalcitrant soil C pools from seven edaphically diverse sites in Yellowstone National Park, whereas those variables were not explored in the earlier study. Our results showed that grazing significantly increased cumulative respiration from both labile and recalcitrant C pools. Greater cumulative respiration from the labile C pool was related to grazers increasing labile C pool fractions, while higher cumulative respiration from the recalcitrant C pool was associated with grazers accelerating the decomposition rate of the recalcitrant C pool. Cumulative respiration from both labile and recalcitrant C pools was positively correlated with shoot biomass, soil gravimetric moisture, and soil C and nitrogen content. Our results underscore how knowledge of pool\uffe2\uff80\uff90specific SOC decomposition can provide a better mechanistic understanding of soil C dynamics along topo\uffe2\uff80\uff90edaphic gradients in grazed grassland.Rangeland-based livestock production constitutes a primary source of livelihood for many inhabitants of dryland regions. Their subsistence relies heavily on maintaining the productivity, biodiversity and services of these ecosystems. Harsh environmental conditions (e.g., drought) combined with land use intensification (e.g., overgrazing) make dryland ecosystems vulnerable and prone to degradation. However, the interplay between livestock grazing intensity and aridity conditions in driving the conservation and nutritional value of forage in arid and semi-arid rangelands is still not fully understood. In this study, we performed structural equation models (SEM) to assess the simultaneous direct and indirect effects of livestock grazing intensity and aridity level on community structure, diversity, biomass, forage production, forage C:N ratio and forage fiber composition in two semi-arid Mediterranean rangelands, NE Spain. Not surprisingly, we found that higher livestock grazing intensity led to lower community plant cover, especially when combined with higher aridity. However, both increasing grazing intensity and aridity were associated with higher forage production after one year of grazing exclusion. We did not find any adverse effect of livestock grazing on plant diversity, although plant species composition differed among grazing intensity levels. On the other hand, we found an aridity-driven trade-off in regard of the nutritional value of forage. Specifically, higher aridity was associated with a decrease in the least digestible fiber fraction (i.e., lignin) and an increase in forage C:N ratio. More interestingly, we found that livestock grazing modulated this trade-off by improving the overall forage nutritional value. Altogether, our results provide further insights into the management of semi-arid Mediterranean rangelands, pointing out that maintaining traditional rangeland-based livestock production may be a sustainable option as long as rangeland conservation (e.g., community plant cover) is not severely compromised.75\u00a0years) grazing during spring (SPG), summer (SUG), winter (WG) and exclosure (non-grazed control) treatments on soil nutrients, penetration resistance and infiltration tests. A soil sampling campaign was carried out to collect soil to a depth of 60\u00a0cm to analyse bulk density, soil physical and chemical parameters as well as soil compaction and infiltration. Generally, grazing treatments reduced soil organic C (SOC) stocks and C:N ratios, and modified soil properties. There was higher SOC stock (0.128\u00a0Mg\u00a0ha\u22121\u00a0yr\u22121) in the exclosure than in the SPG (0.096\u00a0Mg\u00a0ha\u22121\u00a0yr\u22121), SUG (0.099\u00a0Mg\u00a0ha\u22121\u00a0yr\u22121) and WG (0.105\u00a0Mg\u00a0ha\u22121\u00a0yr\u22121). The C:N ratios exhibited similar pattern to that of C. From the grazing treatments, the WG demonstrated 7 to 10\u00a0% additional SOC stock over the SPG and SUG, respectively. Short period animal exclusion could be an option to be considered to improve plant nutrients in sandy soils of South Africa. However, this may require a policy environment which supports stock exclusion from such areas vulnerable to land degradation, nutrient and C losses by grazing-induced vegetation and landscape changes.", "keywords": ["2. Zero hunger", "Soil organic carbon", "[SDE.MCG]Environmental Sciences/Global Changes", "Exclosure", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "Total nitrogen", "15. Life on land", "630", "[SDE.BE] Environmental Sciences/Biodiversity and Ecology", "[SDE.MCG] Environmental Sciences/Global Changes", "Grazing season", "\u00e9cosyst\u00e8me aride", "13. Climate action", "Arid ecosystem", "mati\u00e8re organique", "saison de p\u00e2turage", "carbone organique du sol", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "Organic matter", "[SDE.BE]Environmental Sciences/Biodiversity and Ecology", "azote total"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-015-2625-z"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Plant%20and%20Soil", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1007/s11104-015-2625-z", "name": "item", "description": "10.1007/s11104-015-2625-z", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1007/s11104-015-2625-z"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2015-08-09T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1007/s11104-021-04970-5", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-31T06:56:00Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2021-04-30", "title": "Grazing impacts on ecosystem functions exceed those from mowing", "description": "Land use change due to the increasing anthropogenic activities is the most important driver leading to alteration of multiple ecosystem functions. Overgrazing is thought to be one of most pervasive and significant degrading processes in grasslands, but direct comparisons with other comparable drivers of land use intensification are lacking. Our results aimed to test how single land use practices (grazing, mowing), and combined land use practices (both grazing and mowing), influence biodiversity, soils and plant function, and the coupling of aboveground and belowground functions and properties in a Eurasian steppe grassland. We examined changes in individual functions associated with aboveground and belowground plant and soil compartments, and multiple combined functions (hereafter \u2018multifunctionality\u2019) at 317 sites along an extensive climatic gradient in Northern China. Further, we investigated the correlations (coupling) between aboveground and belowground processes under the three land use scenarios. We found a mixture of effects of grazing, mowing and mowing plus grazing. However, values of many aboveground and belowground attributes were lower when sites were grazed. Although grazed sites had lower values of soil carbon and nutrients, there were no grazing-induced changes in root carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. More importantly, the most intense land use scenario (grazing combined with mowing) decoupled the correlations between belowground and aboveground functions compared with that of single land uses. Our study demonstrates that mowing is a better long-term management method than grazing for semi-natural grasslands in the Eurasian steppe are heavily grazed. Our results demonstrate that additional land use pressures imposed when mowing and grazing are applied together can decouple the positive associations between plant richness and functions. This knowledge is critical if we are to adopt strategies to maintain diverse grassland ecosystems and the important services and functions that they provide.", "keywords": ["2. Zero hunger", "0106 biological sciences", "Mowing", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "Ecolog\u00eda", "15. Life on land", "01 natural sciences", "Ecosystem functions", "Grazing", "Plant diversity", "Eurasian grassland", "13. Climate action", "XXXXXX - Unknown", "Multifunctionality", "Ecosystem services", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-021-04970-5"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Plant%20and%20Soil", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1007/s11104-021-04970-5", "name": "item", "description": "10.1007/s11104-021-04970-5", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1007/s11104-021-04970-5"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2021-04-30T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1007/s11273-014-9393-z", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:56:02Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2014-12-02", "title": "Grazing Intensity Levels Influence C Reservoirs Of Wet And Mesic Meadows Along A Precipitation Gradient In Northern Patagonia", "description": "Wet meadows are important ecosystems for forage production and as carbon reservoirs in semi-arid areas. In Patagonia, Argentina, large areas of wet meadows have been classified as overgrazed by livestock. The objective of this study was to determine whether long-term overgrazing has affected carbon (C) storage in plant and soil pools in wet and mesic meadows. The study occurred in Northern Patagonia, in three study sites located along a precipitation gradient. Our results indicate that long-term overgrazing reduced, on average, 35\u00a0% of the total ecosystem C pool. There was significantly lower aboveground and belowground plant production in heavily grazed compared to lightly grazed sites, 419\u00a0\u00b1\u00a0262\u00a0\u2013\u00a0128\u00a0\u00b1\u00a0110\u00a0g\u00a0m2\u00a0year\u22121 and 3796\u00a0\u00b1\u00a02622\u00a0\u2013\u00a01702\u00a0\u00b1\u00a01012\u00a0g\u00a0m2\u00a0year\u22121, respectively. Soil C concentrations were also less in heavily grazed sites (184\u00a0\u00b1\u00a098\u00a0\u2013\u00a0105\u00a0\u00b1\u00a058\u00a0g\u00a0kg\u22121 at 1\u00a0m depth, respectively). The response of meadows to long-term heavy grazing also appears to be influenced by different levels of precipitation, with sites in drier areas being apparently more susceptible to overgrazing. Our results indicate that new management and restoration practices are needed to stop and reverse meadow deterioration in degraded meadows of Northern Patagonia.", "keywords": ["0106 biological sciences", "2. Zero hunger", "Overgrazing", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "01 natural sciences", "Rangeland Degradation", "13. Climate action", "https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.6", "Carbon Storage Systems", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "Patagonian Wetlands", "https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1", "Patagonian Meadows"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Enriquez, Andrea Soledad, Chimner, Rodney A., Cremona, Victoria, Diehl, Paula, Bonvissuto, Griselda Luz,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-014-9393-z"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Wetlands%20Ecology%20and%20Management", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1007/s11273-014-9393-z", "name": "item", "description": "10.1007/s11273-014-9393-z", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1007/s11273-014-9393-z"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2014-11-28T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1007/s11284-013-1064-7", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Closed Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:56:03Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2013-06-25", "title": "Flower Production Of Aster Tripolium Is Affected By Behavioral Differences In Livestock Species And Stocking Densities: The Role Of Activity And Selectivity", "description": "Abstract
Semi\uffe2\uff80\uff90natural grasslands are an important habitat for endangered plant and animal species. In grasslands, low\uffe2\uff80\uff90intensity livestock grazing is frequently applied as a tool for nature conservation. We aim to investigate how different livestock species in various densities influence the state and flower production of a single plant species by selective defoliation and/or trampling. We hypothesized that (1) moderate stocking densities would cause more damage than low, and that (2) horses would cause more damage than cattle due to their higher activity. The experiment took place in a salt marsh in the Netherlands where grazing treatments with horses and cattle in two stocking densities were installed. Damage to individual Aster tripolium plants and number of flower heads were recorded at the end of the grazing season in late September. We found (1) more damage and fewer flower heads in moderate stocking densities compared to low densities. However, a reduction of flower heads by higher stocking densities was less clear with cattle. No clear difference (2) between livestock species was found, due to opposite trends in moderate and low densities. At low stocking densities, cattle caused more damage by selective defoliation. At moderate densities, horses caused more damage, because of their higher mobility, which led to damage by trampling. We conclude that the response of Aster to grazing is strongly affected by behavioral differences between livestock species. Grazing experiments and management schemes for semi\uffe2\uff80\uff90natural grasslands should therefore not only consider stocking densities, but also livestock species to reach desired conservation goals.
", "keywords": ["0106 biological sciences", "2. Zero hunger", "570", "Salt marsh", "AVAILABILITY", "WADDEN SEA", "VEGETATION CHANGE", "EUROPAEA L", "15. Life on land", "Horse", "01 natural sciences", "630", "Grazing", "REPRODUCTION", "Semi-natural grassland", "SALT-MARSH", "RESOURCE", "Cattle", "TOLERANCE", "HERBIVORY", "PERENNIAL HERB"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-013-1064-7"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Ecological%20Research", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1007/s11284-013-1064-7", "name": "item", "description": "10.1007/s11284-013-1064-7", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1007/s11284-013-1064-7"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2013-06-26T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.5061/dryad.sn02v6x51", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-31T07:02:20Z", "type": "Dataset", "created": "2025-08-10", "title": "Herbivore grazing mitigates the negative effects of nitrogen deposition on soil organic carbon in low-diversity grassland", "description": "1. Changes in soil carbon (C) sequestration in grassland ecosystems have important impacts on the global C cycle. As such, it is important that researchers better understand the underlying mechanisms affecting soil C. Increasing evidence has shown that atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition can cause dramatic changes in grassland soil C. It remains unclear whether herbivore grazing, a primary means to manage and utilize grassland resources, can regulate the effects of N deposition on soil C, and whether these effects are dependent on plant community diversity. 2. Here, we examined the joint effects of herbivore grazing and N-addition on soil organic C (SOC) stocks in two types of communities with low and high plant diversity, respectively. 3. Our results showed that the effects of N-addition and its combination with herbivore grazing on grassland SOC were inconsistent in the two types of communities. In the low-diversity community, N-addition greatly decreased SOC stocks, while grazing significantly increased it. Additionally, the grazing-induced increase in soil C stocks in presence of N-addition was so great that it completely counteracted the significant decline in SOC induced by N-addition. However, in the high-diversity community, we observed no effects of N-addition on SOC and grazing increased SOC only in the absence of N-addition and had no significant effect in presence of N-addition. 4. Synthesis and applications. Our study suggests that increased N deposition can trigger a remarkable reduction in soil C sequestration in grasslands with low plant diversity, but that herbivore grazing can offset this decline, which may help to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions caused by atmospheric N deposition. As a result, we suggest that moderate herbivore grazing should be considered as an effective grassland management measure for maintaining and improving grassland soil C sequestration as the increasing global change such as elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide, N deposition, and biodiversity losses threat.", "keywords": ["2. Zero hunger", "soil organic carbon", "global carbon cycle", "13. Climate action", "grassland management", "herbivore grazing", "atmospheric nitrogen deposition", "15. Life on land", "plant community composition"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Li, Guangyin, Cai, Jinting, Song, Xuxin, Pan, Xiaobin, Pan, Duofeng, Jiang, Shicheng, Sun, Jinyan, Zhang, Minna, Wang, Ling,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.sn02v6x51"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.5061/dryad.sn02v6x51", "name": "item", "description": "10.5061/dryad.sn02v6x51", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.5061/dryad.sn02v6x51"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2021-10-28T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1007/s11852-014-0333-0", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Closed Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:56:08Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2014-07-09", "title": "Utilisation Of A Coastal Grassland By Geese After Managed Re-Alignment", "description": "In this study we evaluate the effect of coastal re-alignment on the utilisation of coastal grasslands by staging geese. We assessed vegetation change and utilisation by geese using repeated mapping and regular dropping counts in both the restored marsh and adjacent reference sites. All measurements were started well before the actual re-alignment. In addition, we studied the effects of livestock grazing on vegetation and geese, using exclosures. The vegetation transformed from fresh grassland into salt-marsh vegetation. A relatively large proportion of the de-embanked area became covered with secondary pioneer vegetation, and the overall cover of potential food plants for geese declined. Goose utilisation had initially dropped to low levels, both in autumn and in spring, but it recovered to a level comparable to the reference marsh after ten years. Exclosure experiments revealed that livestock grazing prevented the establishment of closed swards of grass in the poorly drained lower area of the restored marsh, and thereby negatively affected goose utilisation of these areas during spring staging. Goose grazing in the restored marsh during spring showed a positive numerical response to grass cover found during the preceding growing season. (1) The value of restored salt marsh as foraging habitat for geese initially decreased after managed re-alignment but recovered after ten years. (2) Our findings support the idea that the value of foraging habitats depends largely on the cover of forage plants and that this can be manipulated by adjusting both grazing and drainage.
", "keywords": ["0106 biological sciences", "Dark-bellied Brent geese", "Barnacle geese", "Livestock grazing", "Salt-marsh restoration", "ENGLAND", "SALT-MARSH RESTORATION", "PATTERNS", "WADDEN SEA", "15. Life on land", "TERM", "VEGETATION SUCCESSION", "01 natural sciences"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-014-0333-0"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Journal%20of%20Coastal%20Conservation", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1007/s11852-014-0333-0", "name": "item", "description": "10.1007/s11852-014-0333-0", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1007/s11852-014-0333-0"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2014-07-10T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1007/s11852-015-0390-z", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:56:08Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2015-07-01", "title": "Salinization During Salt-Marsh Restoration After Managed Realignment", "description": "Salt marshes provide an important and unique habitat for plants and animals. To restore salt marshes, numerous coastal realignment projects have been carried out, but restored marshes often show persistent ecological differences from natural marshes. We evaluate the effects of elevation and marsh topography, which are in turn affected by drainage and livestock grazing, on soil salinity after de-embankment. Salinity in the topsoil was monitored during the first 10 years after de-embankment and compared with salinity in an adjacent reference marsh. Additionally, salinity at greater depths (down to 1.2 m below the marsh surface) was monitored during the first 4 years by measuring the electrical conductivity of the groundwater. Chloride concentration in the top soil strongly decreased with increasing elevation; however, it was not affected by marsh topography, i.e. distance to creek or breach. Chloride concentrations higher than 2 g Cl-/litre were found at elevations below 0.6 m + MHT. Salinization of the groundwater, however, took several years. At low marsh elevations, the salinity of the deep groundwater (at 1.2 m depth) increased slowly throughout the full 4-year period of monitoring but did not reach the level of seawater. Compared to the ungrazed treatment, the grazed treatment led to lower accretion rates, lower soil-moisture content and higher chloride content of soil moisture. The de-embankment of the agricultural grasslands resulted in a rapid increase of soil salinity, although deeper ground-water levels showed a much slower response. Elevation accounted for most of the variation in the salinization of the soil. Grazing may enhance salinity of the top soil.
", "keywords": ["0106 biological sciences", "2. Zero hunger", "Salinity", "ARGENTINA", "Ecology", "IMPACT", "WADDEN SEA", "HALOPHYTES", "15. Life on land", "Oceanography", "01 natural sciences", "6. Clean water", "DISPERSAL", "Elevation", "SOIL-SALINITY", "Drainage", "VEGETATION", "Grazing management", "INUNDATION FREQUENCY", "ELEVATION", "NITROGEN MINERALIZATION", "Nature and Landscape Conservation"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Roos M. Veenklaas, Peter Esselink, Jan P. Bakker, E.C. Koppenaal,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-015-0390-z"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Journal%20of%20Coastal%20Conservation", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1007/s11852-015-0390-z", "name": "item", "description": "10.1007/s11852-015-0390-z", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1007/s11852-015-0390-z"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2015-07-03T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.agee.2015.04.025", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Closed Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:56:20Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2015-05-25", "title": "The Effects Of Herbivory And Nutrients On Plant Biomass And Carbon Storage In Vertisols Of An East African Savanna", "description": "Abstract Herbivory and nutrients are major ecosystem drivers in African tropical savanna. Although previous studies have determined the influence of herbivory on carbon storage in savanna ecosystems, little is known about the interactive effects of nutrients and herbivory. We determined the effects of long term grazing and short-term factorial nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) additions on aboveground biomass, soil organic matter (SOM) content, and plant nutrient storage. Grazing reduced aboveground biomass, foliar P and N stocks by 45%, 38% and 45%, respectively, compared to ungrazed plots, although the foliar P concentration was 20% greater in grazed plots. There was no significant increase in the aboveground biomass after nutrient addition despite increases in foliar N and P concentrations, suggesting that productivity was limited by a different resource (e.g., moisture). There were no significant interactions between nutrient enrichment and grazing. We conclude that grazing reduced aboveground biomass, but improved grass quality through increased foliar P concentration.", "keywords": ["2. Zero hunger", "0106 biological sciences", "Grazing", "Nitrogen", "Savanna", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "Phosphorus", "Nutrients", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "Kenya", "01 natural sciences"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2015.04.025"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Agriculture%2C%20Ecosystems%20%26amp%3B%20Environment", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.agee.2015.04.025", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.agee.2015.04.025", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.agee.2015.04.025"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2015-10-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.agee.2006.05.002", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:56:14Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2006-06-13", "title": "Effects Of Grazing Intensity And Prescribed Fire On Soil Physical And Hydrological Properties And Pasture Yield In The Savanna Woodlands Of Burkina Faso", "description": "In West Africa policies for prescribed early fire and livestock grazing in the savanna woodlands are rarely based on long-term experimental studies. The inherently different management characteristics and their effects on the vegetation dynamics make landscape degradation a contentious issue. The effects of grazing intensity were investigated by a comparison of non-grazed areas, lightly grazed areas, moderately grazed areas, heavily grazed areas and very heavily grazed areas that received one of two fire treatments: early burning and fire protection in a long-term 12-year study. The parameters assessed reflected changes in herbaceous plant cover, biomass as well as soil physical and hydrological properties. The main findings were by and large specific for the grazing level. This supports the argument for devolution of management responsibility to the local level where there is indigenous site-specific knowledge but at the same time insufficient management capacity. A comparison of composite soil samples taken at a depth of 0-10 cm did not differentiate significantly between treatments. This is probably because the composite soil sampling procedure hid the properties of the top first few centimeters. Grazing pressure had a tendency to reduce total above ground biomass (p = 0.081). This was related to increased biomass removal and the trampling pressure (static load) exerted by the animals. The infiltration measurements indicated that the deleterious impact of cattle trampling increased as stocking rate increased. Livestock grazing significantly (p = 0.038) lowered the infiltrability. Prescribed early fire had a tendency (p = 0.073) to reduce the soil water infiltration rate. The subplots subjected to prescribed burning had a lower steady state infiltration rate compared to unburnt areas (means of 49.2 \u00b1 27.5 mm h-1 versus 78 \u00b1 70.5 mm h-1 for burnt and unburnt subplots, respectively). A partial least squares projection to latent structures showed that 34% of the steady state infiltrability was explained by the stocking rate and soil organic matter. Also all soil characteristics were significantly connected to steady state infiltrability suggesting that they are related to the soil hydrological response to trampling. From a management perspective, adoption of a short duration grazing system should avoid high stocking rates because they may adversely affect soil infiltrability, increase susceptibility to erosion in the savannas and decrease biomass productivity.", "keywords": ["soil compaction", "2. Zero hunger", "vegetation", "13. Climate action", "trampling", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "grazing", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "infiltration", "pastures", "woodlands", "savannas"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Savadogo, P., Sawadogo, L., Tiveau, D.,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2006.05.002"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Agriculture%2C%20Ecosystems%20%26amp%3B%20Environment", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.agee.2006.05.002", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.agee.2006.05.002", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.agee.2006.05.002"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2007-01-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.agee.2006.12.005", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-31T06:56:15Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2007-01-23", "title": "Effects Of Past And Current Disturbance On Carbon Cycling In Grassland Mesocosms", "description": "Abstract In species rich grasslands, management factors may affect carbon storage both directly (e.g. defoliation) and indirectly, by altering plant community structure. We set up a mesocosm experiment to separate these direct and indirect effects. Monoliths were sampled from two plots of a semi-natural, species-rich pasture at Theix (France), which had been subjected to contrasted disturbance levels, high versus low grazing, for 14 years. These monoliths were placed in transparent enclosures in natural light and temperature conditions. At the start of the experiment, half of the monoliths in each disturbance treatment were shifted to the opposite disturbance regime. Above and below ground CO2 fluxes were then measured continuously over 2 years. The net below ground carbon storage was positively correlated (P", "keywords": ["0106 biological sciences", "2. Zero hunger", "570", "SOL D'HERBAGES", "GRAZING", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "SOIL ORGANIC CARBON", "01 natural sciences", "GREENGRASS", "[SDV.EE] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Ecology", " environment", "CARBON SEQUESTRATION", "RESPIRATION", "[SDV.EE]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Ecology", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "environment", "PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2006.12.005"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Agriculture%2C%20Ecosystems%20%26amp%3B%20Environment", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.agee.2006.12.005", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.agee.2006.12.005", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.agee.2006.12.005"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2007-06-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.agee.2006.12.022", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-31T06:56:15Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2007-01-19", "title": "Full Accounting Of The Greenhouse Gas (Co2, N2o, Ch4) Budget Of Nine European Grassland Sites", "description": "The full greenhouse gas balance of nine contrasted grassland sites covering a major climatic gradient over Europe was measured during two complete years. The sites include awide range ofmanagement regimes (rotational grazing, continuous grazing andmowing), the three main types of managed grasslands across Europe (sown, intensive permanent and semi-natural grassland) and contrasted nitrogen fertilizer supplies. At all sites, the net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of CO2 was assessed using the eddy covariance technique.N2Oemissions weremonitored using various techniques (GC-cuvette systems, automated chambers and tunable diode laser) and CH4 emissions resulting from enteric fermentation of the grazing cattle were measured in situ at four sites using the SF6 tracer method. Hence, when expressed in CO2-C equivalents, emissions of N2O and CH4 resulted in a 19% offset of the NEE sink activity. An attributedGHG balance has been calculated by subtracting fromthe NBP: (i)N2OandCH4 emissions occurring within the grassland plot and (ii) off-site emissions ofCO2 andCH4 as a result of the digestion and enteric fermentation by cattle of the cut herbage.The net exchanges by the grassland ecosystems of CO2 and of GHG were highly correlated with the difference in carbon used by grazing versus cutting, indicating that cut grasslands have a greater on-site sink activity than grazed grasslands. However, the net biome productivity was significantly correlated to the total C used by grazing and cutting, indicating that, on average, net carbon storage declines with herbage utilisation for herbivores", "keywords": ["Livestock", "330", "net ecosystem exchange", "NITROUS OXIDE", "native tallgrass prairie", "GAZ A EFFET DE SERRE", "Nitrogen cycle", "Carbon sequestration;", "12. Responsible consumption", "dioxide", "primary productivity", "METHANE", "CARBON SEQUESTRATION", "[SDV.EE]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Ecology", "NITROGEN CYCLE", "nitrogen cycle", "soil carbon", "2. Zero hunger", "nitrous oxide", "methane", "land management", "LIVESTOCK", "sequestration", "livestock grazing", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "carbon sequestration", "nitrous-oxide emissions", "[SDV.EE] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Ecology", " environment", "Nitrous oxide;", "13. Climate action", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "agricultural soils", "environment", "Methane", "respiration"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2006.12.022"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Agriculture%2C%20Ecosystems%20%26amp%3B%20Environment", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.agee.2006.12.022", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.agee.2006.12.022", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.agee.2006.12.022"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2007-06-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.agee.2011.12.012", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-31T06:56:18Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2012-01-30", "title": "Grazing Exclusion Affects Soil And Plant Communities, But Has No Impact On Soil Carbon Storage In An Upland Grassland", "description": "We evaluated the impact of 7 years of grazing exclusion on vegetation and belowground properties related to soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling in grazed, upland grassland in northern England. For this, we compared a landscape-level, moorland restoration project (grazing exclusion) with adjacent continuously grazed acidic grasslands to test whether changes in vegetation composition after restoration impacted on soil properties including soil C storage. Grazing exclusion significantly increased the proportion of dwarf-shrubs at the expense of graminoids. Despite high seasonal variability, this change in vegetation was associated with increased plant litter mass, soil moisture content and the ratio of dissolved organic to inorganic N, and reductions in rates of ammonium mineralisation, soil microbial activity, and microbial biomass N. Our observations suggest that grazing-exclusion as a restoration tool for upland habitats results in a slowing down of rates of C and N cycling. However, as yet, this has had no detectable impact on total C and N stocks in surface soil. Whereas increases in soil C and N stocks might be expected in the longer term, our results suggest that a certain level of grazing is compatible with the provision of ecosystem services such as soil C storage under traditional upland farming practices.", "keywords": ["2. Zero hunger", "Nitrogen", "Uplands", "Calluna vulgaris", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "Yorkshire Dales", "Carbon", "13. Climate action", "Ecosystem services", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "Grass-dominated ecosystems", "Soil properties", "Grazing management", "Moorland"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2011.12.012"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Agriculture%2C%20Ecosystems%20%26amp%3B%20Environment", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.agee.2011.12.012", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.agee.2011.12.012", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.agee.2011.12.012"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2012-03-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.agsy.2005.09.010", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-05-31T06:56:25Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2006-09-28", "title": "A Simulation-Based Analysis Of Productivity And Soil Carbon In Response To Time-Controlled Rotational Grazing In The West African Sahel Region", "description": "In the Sahel region of West Africa, the traditional organization of the population and the grazing land avoided overexploitation of pastures. Since independence in the 1960s, grazing lands have been opened to all without specific guidance, and the vulnerability of the pastures to degradation has increased. Rotational grazing is postulated as a possible solution to provide higher pasture productivity, higher animal loads per unit land, and perhaps improved soil carbon storage. The objective of this study was to conduct a simulation-based assessment of the impact of rotational grazing management on pasture biomass production, grazing efficiency, animal grazing requirement satisfaction, and soil carbon storage in the Madiama Commune, Mali. The results showed that grazing intensity is the primary factor influencing the productivity of annual pastures and their capacity to provide for animal grazing requirements. Rotating the animals in paddocks is a positive practice for pasture protection that showed advantage as the grazing pressure increased. Increasing the size of the reserve biomass not available for grazing, which triggers the decision of taking the animals off the field, provided better pasture protection but reduced animal grazing requirements satisfaction. In terms of soil carbon storage, all management scenarios led to reduction of soil carbon at the end of the 50-year simulation periods, ranging between 4% and 5% of the initial storage. The differences in reduction as a function of grazing intensity were of no practical significance in these soils with very low organic matter content, mostly resistant to decomposition.", "keywords": ["Carbon sequestration", "Livestock management", "2. Zero hunger", "Soil organic matter", "Grazing systems", "Rotation", "Rotational grazing", "Pastures", "Soil carbon storage", "Controlled grazing", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "Pasture management", "Soil carbon", "Simulation modeling", "Semiarid zones", "Paddocks", "Sahel", "Range management", "West Africa", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "Cattle", "Field Scale", "Productivity"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Washington State University Bryan Hall, P.O. Box 645121, Pullman, WA 99164-5121, USA ( host institution ), Badini, Oumarou, St\u00f6ckle, Claudio O., Jones, Jim W., Nelson, Roger, Kodio, Amadou, Keita, Moussa,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2005.09.010"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Agricultural%20Systems", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.agsy.2005.09.010", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.agsy.2005.09.010", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.agsy.2005.09.010"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2007-04-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.10.037", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:56:34Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2012-11-08", "title": "Contribution Of Grazing To Soil Atmosphere Ch4 Exchange During The Growing Season In A Continental Steppe", "description": "Degradation of steppes induced by overgrazing may affect the uptake of atmospheric methane (CH4 )b y soil sinks. However, uncertainty is associated with the very limited knowledge of gas fluxes in rapidly degrading steppe. In this study, we investigated the effects of grazing on CH4 uptake during the growing season in three types of steppe (meadow steppe, typical steppe and desert steppe and) in Inner Mongolia, China, to quantify and compare CH4 uptake in steppe ecosystems under different grazing management conditions. The CH4 fluxes were measured using an automatic cavity ring-down spectrophotometer at three steppe locations that differed primarily in grazing intensity. The results indicated that steppe soils were CH4 sinks throughout the growing season. CH4 uptake at all sites averaged 7.98 kg CH4-C ha \ufffd 1 yr \ufffd 1 (ranging from 1.53 to 18.74 kg CH4-C ha \ufffd 1 yr \ufffd 1 ), of which approximately 43.8% occurred in the desert steppe. CH4 uptake in the desert steppe increased 20.4% and 51.2% compared with the typical steppe and meadow steppe, respectively. Light grazing (LG) of steppe did not significantly change CH4 uptake compared with un-grazed (UG) steppe, but moderate and heavy grazing (MG, HG) reduced CH4 uptake significantly (by 6.8e37.9%, P < 0.05). These findings imply that reducing the grazing pressure on steppe would help increase the atmospheric CH4 sinks in steppe soils. Our results suggest that HG exerts a considerable negative impact on CH4 uptake in a continental steppe. Further studies involving year-round, intensive measurements of CH4 uptake are needed.", "keywords": ["2. Zero hunger", "13. Climate action", "methane", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "grazing", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "climate", "steppes", "01 natural sciences", "agriculture", "0105 earth and related environmental sciences"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Tang S, Wang C, Wilkes, Andreas, Zhou P, Jiang Y, Han G, Zhao M, Huang D, Sch\u00f6nbach, P.,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.10.037"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Atmospheric%20Environment", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.10.037", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.10.037", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.10.037"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2013-03-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.baae.2006.07.001", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:56:35Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2006-08-31", "title": "Patch Choice Of Avian Herbivores Along A Migration Trajectory - From Temperate To Arctic", "description": "Migratory waterfowl species seem to track temporal and spatial pulses of optimal forage availability on their way from temperate wintering to arctic breeding sites. In order to unravel the relative contribution of forage quality and forage biomass to foraging choices in avian herbivores, we experimentally manipulated biomass and quality of main forage plants through fertilisation and grazing exclusion at three sites along the flyway of barnacle geese, Branta leucopsis. Fertilisation increased the nitrogen content of the forage and grazing exclusion increased biomass levels. Manipulated plots were offered to wild geese in a random block experimental design and goose visitation was measured through dropping counts. At all sites there was a trend towards a higher preference of plots with increased quality and average biomass above plots with an average quality and increased biomass. Generally, geese preferred plots with highest standing crop of nitrogen. The numerical response of the geese to forage changes was supported by behavioural observations at the Baltic site. We conclude that for migrating barnacle geese the bottlenecks in the standing crop of nitrogen appear to tie in the limited biomass availability at the Baltic stopover site and the limited nutrient content of food in the Arctic breeding site, restricting the potential nutrient intake on these sites. (C) 2006 Gesellschaft fur Okologie. Published by Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
", "keywords": ["barnacle goose", "0106 biological sciences", "SNOW GEESE", "BRENT GEESE", "KOLOKOLKOVA BAY", "Branta leucopsis", "B-BERNICLA", "15. Life on land", "BARNACLE GEESE", "GOOSE POPULATION", "grazing experiment", "01 natural sciences", "ptant-herbivore interactions", "salt marsh", "FOOD QUALITY", "flyway", "forage quality", "FORAGING BEHAVIOR", "plant biomass", "GEESE BRANTA-LEUCOPSIS", "BODY-SIZE"], "contacts": [{"organization": "R.H. Drent, Julia Stahl, A. J. van der Graaf, G. F. (Ciska) Veen, R.M. Havinga,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2006.07.001"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Basic%20and%20Applied%20Ecology", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.baae.2006.07.001", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.baae.2006.07.001", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.baae.2006.07.001"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2007-07-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.baae.2020.07.003", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:56:35Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2020-07-24", "title": "Grazing and aridity have contrasting effects on the functional and taxonomic diversity of ants", "description": "Open AccessM.D-B. was supported by the European Union\u2019s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No 702057 (CLIMIFUN) and by a Large Research Grant from the British Ecological Society (Grant Agreement No. LRA17 1193, MUSGONET).", "keywords": ["Richness", "0106 biological sciences", "2. Zero hunger", "Grazing", "Ants", "XXXXXX - Unknown", "Drylands", "Functional diversity", "Ecolog\u00eda", "15. Life on land", "01 natural sciences", "0105 earth and related environmental sciences"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2020.07.003"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Basic%20and%20Applied%20Ecology", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.baae.2020.07.003", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.baae.2020.07.003", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.baae.2020.07.003"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2020-11-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.biocon.2013.04.023", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Restricted", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:56:35Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2013-06-11", "title": "Grazed Vegetation Mosaics Do Not Maximize Arthropod Diversity: Evidence From Salt Marshes", "description": "Light to moderate grazing in grasslands can create vegetation mosaics of short grazed vegetation and tall ungrazed vegetation. These mosaics have been proposed to maximize plant and animal species richness, yet experimental evidence, especially regarding arthropods is scarce. This study compares abundance, richness and species composition of arthropods in grazed mosaics to those of homogeneous short and tall vegetation.
We sampled arthropods on three German coastal salt marshes where grazing with three densities (high, moderate and none) was installed in 1989 on previously intensively grazed plots. Stable vegetation mosaics had developed under moderate stocking densities. We collected spiders, beetles, bugs and moth larvae by suction sampling in a stratified random sampling design.
Treatments had caused large differences in plant composition after 20 years, which were reflected in the arthropod community. Most species showed a clear preference for either short or tall vegetation, but some species were most abundant in grazed mosaics. Arthropod richness and composition were similar in patches of short vegetation in moderately and highly stocked plots, while patches of tall vegetation were similar to ungrazed plots. Surprisingly, however, grazed mosaics were not richer in species than homogeneous tall vegetation, despite the co-occurrence of species from short, tall and mosaic vegetation.
We conclude that, although arthropod richness of salt marshes is greatly enhanced when stocking density is decreased, this cannot substitute ungrazed marshes for conservation of arthropod diversity. However, long term cessation leads to the disappearance of several species, and therefore the possibilities of rotational grazing should be explored. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
", "keywords": ["0106 biological sciences", "2. Zero hunger", "Beetles", "Habitat heterogeneity", "Patch grazing", "Spiders", "15. Life on land", "Invertebrates", "Grassland", "01 natural sciences", "Species richness"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Michiel F. WallisDeVries, Michiel F. WallisDeVries, Corinna Rickert, Rikjan Vermeulen, Oscar Vorst, Roel van Klink, Jan P. Bakker,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2013.04.023"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Biological%20Conservation", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.biocon.2013.04.023", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.biocon.2013.04.023", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.biocon.2013.04.023"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2013-08-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.catena.2020.104511", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:56:41Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2020-02-18", "title": "The influence of tree and soil management on soil organic carbon stock and pools in dehesa systems", "description": "Open AccessThis work was supported by P12-AGR-0931 (Andalusian Government), RTA2014-00063-C04-03 (Spanish Government), SHui (European Commission Grant Agreement number: 773903) and EU\u2014FEDER funds, whose support is gratefully acknowledged.", "keywords": ["2. Zero hunger", "Fractions agroforestry", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "630", "Grazing", "Shift from cultivation to grazing", "Crop rotation", "Tree plantation", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "Organic carbon fractions", "Agroforestry", "Organic carbon", "Holm oak"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Lizardo Reyna-Bowen, Lizardo Reyna-Bowen, Jes\u00fas Fern\u00e1ndez-Habas, Pilar Fern\u00e1ndez-Rebollo, Jos\u00e9 A. G\u00f3mez,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2020.104511"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/CATENA", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.catena.2020.104511", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.catena.2020.104511", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.catena.2020.104511"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2020-07-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.catena.2015.10.018", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Closed Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:56:40Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2015-10-26", "title": "Grazing Exclusion Significantly Improves Grassland Ecosystem C And N Pools In A Desert Steppe Of Northwest China", "description": "Abstract Grazing exclusion is often implemented as an effective management practice to increase the sustainability of grassland ecosystems. However, it remains unclear if grazing exclusion can improve ecosystem services related to carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) sequestration in grassland ecosystems. We investigated the effects of 11\u00a0years of grazing exclusion on plant biomass and diversity, soil properties (pH, soil water content (SWC), bulk density (BD), soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and C/N ratio), and the C and N stocks of plants and soils in a desert grassland of Northwest China. Grazing exclusion improved plant aboveground biomass and diversity, as well as SWC, SOC, and TN contents, but lowered the belowground biomass, root/shoot ratio, pH, and BD. Moreover, grazing exclusion strongly influenced the C and N stocks of the ecosystem, and the annual mean ecosystem C and N sequestration rates were 0.47 and 0.09\u00a0Mg\u00a0ha \u2212\u00a01 \u00a0yr \u2212\u00a01 , respectively, over 11\u00a0years of grazing exclusion. Soil C stocks were most dynamic in the top 30\u00a0cm of the soil, and N stocks mainly changed in the top 20\u00a0cm after grazing exclusion. Our results indicated that grazing exclusion is an effective measurement on improving the ecosystem C and N pools in desert steppe of Northwest China.", "keywords": ["SOIL ORGANIC C", "0106 biological sciences", "Carbon Sequestration", "550", "MICROBIAL-COMMUNITY", "SPATIAL VARIABILITY", "PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES", "Soil Science", "01 natural sciences", "Soil Prosperities", "CENTRAL ARGENTINA", "CARBON STORAGE", "PLANT-COMMUNITIES", "Vegetation Characteristics", "580", "2. Zero hunger", "Science & Technology", "Multidisciplinary", "PRODUCTIVITY", "Nitrogen Sequestration", "Geology", "Agriculture", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "INNER-MONGOLIA", "Grazing", "13. Climate action", "Physical Sciences", "Water Resources", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "Fencing", "LOESS PLATEAU CHINA", "Life Sciences & Biomedicine", "Geosciences"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2015.10.018"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/CATENA", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.catena.2015.10.018", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.catena.2015.10.018", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.catena.2015.10.018"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2016-02-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.06.037", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:56:48Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2014-07-26", "title": "Complementarity Of Rarity, Specialisation And Functional Diversity Metrics To Assess Community Responses To Environmental Changes, Using An Example Of Spider Communities In Salt Marshes", "description": "The study of community responses to environmental changes can be enhanced by the recent development of new metrics useful in applied conservation: relative rarity, ecological specialisation and functional diversity. These different metrics have been critically assessed independently, but are rarely combined in applied conservation studies, especially for less-studied taxa such as arthropods. Here we report how these different metrics can complement each other by using the response of spider communities to environmental changes in salt marshes as an example. Sampling took place using pitfall traps in salt marshes of the Mont St Michel Bay (France) during 2004 and 2007. The sampling design was spatially replicated (3 plots per treatment and 4 traps per plot) and encompassed four habitat treatments: control, sheep grazing, cutting (annual, in summer) and invasion by the plant Elymus athericus. We observed contrasting responses of spider communities to the different treatments: grazing had a negative impact on both rarity and functional diversity but a positive impact on specialisation; cutting had a negative impact on the three metrics; and invasion only had a negative impact on rarity and specialisation. These contrasting responses emphasise the necessity of using different complementary community metrics in such conservation studies. Consequently, rarity-, specialisation-, and functional-based indices should be applied simultaneously more frequently, as they potentially provide additional complementary information about communities. Such complementary information is the key to better-informed conservation choices.", "keywords": ["[SDE.BE] Environmental Sciences/Biodiversity and Ecology", "0106 biological sciences", "Grazing", "Cutting", "Functional divergence", "Spiders", "15. Life on land", "Index of Relative Rarity", "01 natural sciences", "Community Specialisation Index"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.06.037"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Ecological%20Indicators", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.06.037", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.06.037", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.06.037"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2014-11-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.ecss.2012.08.002", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:56:48Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2012-08-17", "title": "Methane, Carbon Dioxide And Nitrous Oxide Fluxes From A Temperate Salt Marsh: Grazing Management Does Not Alter Global Warming Potential", "description": "Soil greenhouse gas emissions from cattle grazed and un-grazed temperate upper salt marsh were measured using dark static chambers, monthly for one year. Below-ground gas sampling tubes were also used to measure soil methane (CH4) concentrations. CH4 efflux from grazed and un-grazed salt marsh did not differ significantly although grazing did lead to \u2018hotspots\u2019 of underground CH4 (up to 6% of total air volume) and CH4 efflux (peak of 9 mg m\u22122 h\u22121) significantly linked to high soil moisture content, low soil temperatures and the presence of Juncus gerardii. Carbon dioxide (CO2) efflux was greater from the un-grazed marsh (mean of 420 mg m\u22122 h\u22121) than the grazed marsh (mean of 333 mg m\u22122 h\u22121) throughout most of the year and was positively correlated with the deeper water table and greater soil temperatures. Grazing was not a significant predictor of nitrous oxide (N2O) soil emissions. Global Warming Potential (GWP; over 100 years), calculated from mean yearly chamber fluxes for CH4 and CO2, did not differ significantly with grazing treatment. Seasonal variation in the key drivers of soil greenhouse gas efflux; soil temperature, moisture and water table, plus the presence or absence of aerenchymatous plants such as J. gerardii were more important to the magnitude of greenhouse gas emissions than grazing management per se.", "keywords": ["chamber flux measurements", "salt marshes", "13. Climate action", "greenhouse gases", "Ribble estuary", "livestock grazing", "UK", "15. Life on land", "01 natural sciences", "6. Clean water", "0105 earth and related environmental sciences", "12. Responsible consumption"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2012.08.002"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Estuarine%2C%20Coastal%20and%20Shelf%20Science", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.ecss.2012.08.002", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.ecss.2012.08.002", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.ecss.2012.08.002"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2012-11-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2022.108005", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:57:18Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2022-12-09", "title": "Non-smooth dynamics of buckling based metainterfaces: Rocking-like motion and bifurcations", "description": "Open Access34 pages, 15 figures", "keywords": ["period doubling", "Physics - Classical Physics; Physics - Classical Physics", "Nonlinear dynamics", "multistability anticipation", "0103 physical sciences", "Classical Physics (physics.class-ph)", "FOS: Physical sciences", "grazing", "Physics - Classical Physics", "Nonlinear dynamics; Period doubling; Grazing; Multistability anticipation", "0101 mathematics", "01 natural sciences"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://iris.unitn.it/bitstream/11572/372109/1/1-s2.0-S0020740322008839-main.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2022.108005"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/International%20Journal%20of%20Mechanical%20Sciences", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2022.108005", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2022.108005", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2022.108005"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2023-03-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.geoderma.2011.09.001", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:57:12Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2011-11-03", "title": "Soil Carbon Stock In The Tropical Rangelands Of Australia: Effects Of Soil Type And Grazing Pressure, And Determination Of Sampling Requirement", "description": "On-going, high-profile public debate about climate change has focussed attention on how to monitor the soil organic carbon stock (C(s)) of rangelands (savannas). Unfortunately, optimal sampling of the rangelands for baseline C(s) - the critical first step towards efficient monitoring - has received relatively little attention to date. Moreover, in the rangelands of tropical Australia relatively little is known about how C(s) is influenced by the practice of cattle grazing. To address these issues we used linear mixed models to: (i) unravel how grazing pressure (over a 12-year period) and soil type have affected C(s) and the stable carbon isotope ratio of soil organic carbon (delta(13)C) (a measure of the relative contributions of C(3) and C(4) vegetation to C(s)); (ii) examine the spatial covariation of C(s) and delta(13)C; and, (iii) explore the amount of soil sampling required to adequately determine baseline C(s). Modelling was done in the context of the material coordinate system for the soil profile, therefore the depths reported, while conventional, are only nominal. Linear mixed models revealed that soil type and grazing pressure interacted to influence C(s) to a depth of 0.3 m in the profile. At a depth of 0.5 m there was no effect of grazing on C(s), but the soil type effect on C(s) was significant. Soil type influenced delta(13)C to a soil depth of 0.5 m but there was no effect of grazing at any depth examined. The linear mixed model also revealed the strong negative correlation of C(s) with delta(13)C, particularly to a depth of 0.1 m in the soil profile. This suggested that increased C(s) at the study site was associated with increased input of C from C(3) trees and shrubs relative to the C(4) perennial grasses; as the latter form the bulk of the cattle diet, we contend that C sequestration may be negatively correlated with forage production. Our baseline C(s) sampling recommendation for cattle-grazing properties of the tropical rangelands of Australia is to: (i) divide the property into units of apparently uniform soil type and grazing management; (ii) use stratified simple random sampling to spread at least 25 soil sampling locations about each unit, with at least two samples collected per stratum. This will be adequate to accurately estimate baseline mean C(s) to within 20% of the true mean, to a nominal depth of 0.3 m in the profile.", "keywords": ["2. Zero hunger", "Residual Maximum-Likelihood", "Bulk-Density", "550", "Agriculture and the environment", "Depth Functions", "Sequestration", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "Vegetation Change", "Minimization", "Organic-Carbon", "Soil and crops. Soil-plant relationships. Soil productivity", "13. Climate action", "Savanna", "Rangelands", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "Carbon stock", "Residual maximum likelihood (REML)", "Geostatistics", "Variability", "Sampling", "Rangelands. Range management. Grazing", "1111 Soil Science", "Model"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2011.09.001"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Geoderma", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.geoderma.2011.09.001", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.geoderma.2011.09.001", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.geoderma.2011.09.001"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2011-11-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.geoderma.2016.02.010", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:57:14Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2016-02-19", "title": "Potential Of Grassland Rehabilitation Through High Density-Short Duration Grazing To Sequester Atmospheric Carbon", "description": "According to the World Resources Institute (2000), a relative increase of carbon (C) stocks in world soils by 0.4% per year would be sufficient to compensate all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Several land management practices such as the suppression of tillage in agroecosystems and livestock exclusion in grasslands had initially been thought to store more carbon into the soil, but recent research puts this into question. In a context where finding effective C sequestration methods is urgent, the main objective of this study was to assess the ability of an innovative grassland management practice based on high density and short duration (HDSD) grazing to sequester atmospheric C into soils. The study was performed in a degraded communal rangeland in South Africa where soil organic C (SOC) depletion ranged from 5 to 95% depending on the degradation level, which varied from non-degraded (ND; with grass above ground coverage, Cov of 100%), degraded (D1; 50 < Cov < 75%), D2 (25 < Cov < 50%) and HD (highly degraded: Cov < 5%). The ability of HDSD (1200 cows ha\u2212 1 for 3 days a year) to replenish SOC stocks was compared to four commonly used strategies: (1) livestock exclosure (E); (2) livestock exclosure with topsoil tillage (ET); (3) livestock exclosure with NPK fertilization (2:3:3, 22 at 0.2 t ha\u2212 1) (EF); (4) annual burning (AB); all treatments being compared to traditional free grazing control. A total of 540 soil samples were collected in the 0\u20130.05 m soil layer for all treatments and degradation intensities. After two years, topsoil SOC stocks were significantly increased under EF and HDSD, by an average of 33.4 \u00b1 0.5 and 12.4 \u00b1 2.1 g C m2 y\u2212 1, respectively. In contrast, AB reduced SOC stocks by 3.6 \u00b1 3.0 g C m2 y\u2212 1, while the impact of E and ET was not significant at P < 0.05. HDSD replenished SOC stocks the most at D1 and D2 (6.7 and 7.4% y\u2212 1) and this was explained by grass recovery, i.e. a significant increase in soil surface coverage by grass and grass production. HDSD is cost-effective, and thus has great potential to be widely adopted by smallholder farmers.", "keywords": ["2. Zero hunger", "[PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-GEO-PH] Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Geophysics [physics.geo-ph]", "Rehabilitation", "Sequestration", "[PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-GEO-PH]Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Geophysics [physics.geo-ph]", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "Grassland", "01 natural sciences", "630", "Degradation", "Grazing", "13. Climate action", "Others", "Climate change", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "0105 earth and related environmental sciences"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2016.02.010"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Geoderma", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.geoderma.2016.02.010", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.geoderma.2016.02.010", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.geoderma.2016.02.010"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2016-06-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.12.008", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:57:19Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2006-01-27", "title": "Carbon Sequestration In Semi-Arid Rangelands: Comparison Of Pinus Ponderosa Plantations And Grazing Exclusion In Nw Patagonia", "description": "Abstract The large global extension of arid and semi-arid regions together with their widespread degradation give these areas a high potential to sequester carbon. We explored the possibilities of semi-arid ecosystems to sequester carbon by means of rangeland exclusion and afforestation with Pinus ponderosa in NW Patagonia (Argentina). We sampled all pools where organic carbon accumulates in a network of five trios of adjacent grazed, non-grazed and afforested stands (age: 12\u201325 years, density 605\u20131052\u00a0trees\u00a0ha \u22121 ). After 15 years since trees were planted, afforestation added \u223c50% more C to the initial ecosystem carbon pool, with annual sequestration rate ranging 0.5\u20133.3\u00a0Mg\u00a0C\u00a0ha \u22121 year \u22121 . Carbon gains in afforested stands were higher above than below-ground (150% vs. 32%). Root biomass differences (374% more in afforested vs. grazed stands, p = 0.0 0 1 1 ) explained below-ground carbon contrasts whereas soil organic carbon showed no differences with afforestation. By contrast, grazing exclosures did not result in significant changes in the total carbon storage in comparison with the adjacent grazed stands ( p = 0.4 2 ) suggesting a slow ecosystem recovery in the time frame of this study (\u223c15 years of exclusion). Nevertheless, higher litter amount was found in the former (+53%, p = 0.0 7 ). Neither, soil organic carbon nor root carbon showed significant differences between grazed and non-grazed conditions. Considering that more than 1.1 millions of hectares of the studied ecosystems are highly degraded and suitable for tree planting, afforesting this area could result in a carbon sequestration rate of 1.7\u00a0Tg C year \u22121 , almost 6% of the current fossil fuel emissions of Argentina; however environmental consequences which could emerge from this deep land use shift must be taken into account when afforestation program are being designed.", "keywords": ["Argentina", "Drylands", "Ecosystem carbon pool", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "01 natural sciences", "Grazing", "Afforestation", "13. Climate action", "https://purl.org/becyt/ford/4.1", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "https://purl.org/becyt/ford/4", "Desertification", "0105 earth and related environmental sciences"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.12.008"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Journal%20of%20Arid%20Environments", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.12.008", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.12.008", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.12.008"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2006-10-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.jaridenv.2011.06.002", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Closed Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:57:20Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2011-08-18", "title": "The Influence Of Acacia Tortilis (Forssk.) Ssp Raddiana (Savi) Brenan Presence, Grazing, And Water Availability Along The Growing Season, On The Understory Herbaceous Vegetation In Southern Tunisia", "description": "Abstract The influence of Acacia tortilis on its understory vegetation was analysed seasonally and in relation to grazing. Plots were sampled under tree canopies and open areas located in protected zones inside the Bou-Hedma National Park (Southern Tunisia, lower arid climate) and in un-protected areas. Species responses were monitored during two growing seasons (a wet year and a dry year). These surveys were then analysed on the basis of plant cover, species richness. In both un-protected and protected areas, the influence of the tree canopy on the herbaceous strata can be considered as positive, even though it is more significant inside the park. A.\u00a0tortilis allowed the establishment of new species probably due to an improvement in soil fertility and microclimate. The positive effect of the tree on its understory vegetation was especially noticeable in protected areas during the two years. In un-protected areas, the positive effect of the Acacia remained significant throughout the dry year but disappeared in the wet year (interaction community x year). Moreover, the existence of an interaction between the community type and the management demonstrated the existence of a mitigation of the positive effect of Acacia by grazing.", "keywords": ["580", "0106 biological sciences", "2. Zero hunger", "TUNISIAN ARID ECOSYSTEM", "GRAZING", "[SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]", "SOIL ENRICHMENT", "\u00c9COSYST\u00c8ME ARIDE", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "01 natural sciences", "630", "[SDV] Life Sciences [q-bio]", "UNDERSTORY VEGETATION", "RICHESSE DES ESP\u00c8CES", "ACACIA TORTILIS", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "TREE PRESENCE", "RAINFALL"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Abdallah, Fa\u00efz, Noumi, Z., Ouled-Belgacem, A., Michalet, Richard, Touzard, Blaise, Chaieb, M.,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2011.06.002"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Journal%20of%20Arid%20Environments", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.jaridenv.2011.06.002", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.jaridenv.2011.06.002", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2011.06.002"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2012-01-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.jaridenv.2015.04.004", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Closed Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:57:20Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2015-04-12", "title": "Rangeland Management Effects On Soil Properties In The Savanna Biome, South Africa: A Case Study Along Grazing Gradients In Communal And Commercial Farms", "description": "Although the savanna biome of South Africa is a major resource for rangeland management, little is known about how differences in rangeland management systems affect soil properties in such biomes. Near to Kuruman, commercial farms have practiced rotational grazing for decades. In communal areas of former homeland Bophuthatswana, similar strategies were used prior to 1994. Nowadays, a continuous grazing system is common. We hypothesized that these changes in management affected soil properties. To test this, we sampled soils at communal and commercial land along a gradient with increasing distance to water points. The results revealed that communal systems with continuous grazing showed enlarged spatial gradients. The soils were depleted in most nutrients close to the water relative to those of commercial systems. In contrast, as the distance to the water increased, the nutrient stocks of these communal systems were higher. Changes in soil nutrient stocks were related to a zone of increased bush encroachment (up to 25%). Specific analyses (phosphorus fractions, particulate organic carbon, \u03b413C) confirmed that the soils of the communal grazing systems benefited from the shift of grass-dominated to bush-dominated system with woody Acacia vegetation, while the rangeland degraded in the sense that it lost palatable grass species.", "keywords": ["Continuous grazing", "0106 biological sciences", "2. Zero hunger", "Rotational grazing", "Soil organic carbon", "Isotopic composition", "Rangeland management", "04 agricultural and veterinary sciences", "15. Life on land", "01 natural sciences", "7. Clean energy", "Plant nutrients", "0401 agriculture", " forestry", " and fisheries", "Bush encroachment", "Phosphorus fractions"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2015.04.004"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Journal%20of%20Arid%20Environments", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.jaridenv.2015.04.004", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.jaridenv.2015.04.004", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2015.04.004"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2015-09-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.jnc.2016.09.003", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:57:26Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2016-09-15", "title": "Biodiversity And Ecological Long-Term Plots In Southern Patagonia To Support Sustainable Land Management: The Case Of Pebanpa Network", "description": "Historically, interactions and trends between biodiversity, ecosystem function (EF) and land use practices in southern Patagonia (Argentina) have been largely undocumented and poorly understood. Since 2002, 1214 permanent and semi-permanent plots within the PEBANPA Network have enabled researchers to monitor and assess functions and trends among vegetation parameters, biodiversity, forest dynamics, soil physicochemical characteristics, and land use management. The objectives of this manuscript are to communicate the role and rationale of the PEBANPA Network, summarize examples of the main results found within the network and provide guidance to decision makers with respect to advancing sustainable land management in southern Patagonia. As examples, rangeland health indices, seedling and sapling regeneration under different timber managed forests, litterfall and seeds production under silvopastoral use, and soil carbon content impacted by livestock grazing have all been assessed. Vegetation and environmental variables including soil respiration, soil water infiltration, soil water retention capacity, soil erosion, and litter cover were measured under different grazing intensities. Livestock and forestry production have caused changes in the original floristic patterns, with several areas experiencing desertification. Heavy stocking rates have caused the greatest impacts on grassland soil carbon (C) loss as a consequence of soil erosion. We were able to conclude that low \u2212 medium grazing intensities yield the most positive impacts for biodiversity and soil physicochemical characteristics. Studies regarding levels of seedling and sapling regeneration post-harvest of timber further supported the importance of long-term monitoring due to the strongest evidence of interactions occurring 20 to 30 years after harvest. Distribution patterns of vascular plants and epigaeic coleopterons diversity revealed statistically significant differences among geographical zones and dominant vegetation types. The PEBANPA Network helps southern Patagonia address the challenges of unsustainable land management and climate change through monitoring ecosystem function and services. Long-term monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystem function help decision makers better understand the impacts of land use practices, develop well-informed policies and secure present and future human well-being.", "keywords": ["2. Zero hunger", "0106 biological sciences", "LIVESTOCK GRAZING", "ECOSYSTEM SERVICES", "LAND USE PRACTICES", "15. Life on land", "01 natural sciences", "12. Responsible consumption", "CARBON SEQUESTRATION", "13. Climate action", "LONG-TERM MONITORING", "https://purl.org/becyt/ford/4.1", "BIODIVERSITY", "https://purl.org/becyt/ford/4", "0105 earth and related environmental sciences"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2016.09.003"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Journal%20for%20Nature%20Conservation", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.jnc.2016.09.003", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.jnc.2016.09.003", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.jnc.2016.09.003"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2016-12-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1016/j.jnc.2004.10.001", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:57:26Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2005-08-18", "title": "Utilisation Of Wadden Sea Salt Marshes By Geese In Relation To Livestock Grazing", "description": "To arctic breeding geese, the salt marshes of the International Wadden Sea are important spring staging areas. Many of these marshes have always been grazed with livestock (mainly cattle and sheep). To evaluate the influence of livestock grazing on composition and structure of salt-marsh communities and its consequences for habitat use by geese, a total of 17 pairs of grazed and ungrazed marshes were visited both in April and May 1999, and the accumulated grazing pressure by geese was estimated using dropping counts. Observed grazing pressure was related to management status and to relevant vegetation parameters. The intensity of livestock grazing influences the vegetation on the marsh. Salt marshes that are not grazed by livestock are characterised by stands with a taller canopy, a lower cover of grasses preferred by geese, and a higher cover of plants that are not preferred. Overall goose-dropping densities are significantly lower in ungrazed marshes compared to marshes grazed by livestock. Some ungrazed marshes had comparatively high goose grazing pressure, and these were all natural marshes on a sandy soil, or artificial mainland marshes with a recent history of intensive livestock grazing. Goose grazing is associated with a short canopy. The plant communities with short canopy, dominated by Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra and Puccinellia maritima, together account for 85% of all goose droppings in our data. The sites that were not visited by geese differed very little from those that were visited, in the parameters we measured. This might indicate that there was no shortage of available habitat for spring staging geese in the Wadden Sea, in the study period.", "keywords": ["0106 biological sciences", "Hare", "Habitat-use", "Grazing pressure", "Barnacle Goose", "13. Climate action", "Vegetation-succession", "Brent Goose", "14. Life underwater", "15. Life on land", "01 natural sciences"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2004.10.001"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Journal%20for%20Nature%20Conservation", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1016/j.jnc.2004.10.001", "name": "item", "description": "10.1016/j.jnc.2004.10.001", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1016/j.jnc.2004.10.001"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2005-06-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1023/a:1006044630728", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Open Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:58:15Z", "type": "Journal Article", "title": "Cutting And Resprouting Of Detarium Microcarpum And Herbaceous Forage Availability In A Semiarid Environment In Burkina Faso", "description": "The tree-shrub savanna \u2018Foret Classee de Nazinon\u2019 (Burkina Faso) is submitted to a management of grazing and rotational cutting of Detarium microcarpum. This species resprouts after cutting. In order to investigate whether this silvopastoral land use system is sustainable, aboveground herbaceous biomass was measured on subplots under uncut trees (\u2018uncut\u2019), next to the stubs of cut trees (\u2018cut\u2019) and on subplots not influenced by the (former) crowns of trees (\u2018open grassland\u2019) in four lots. These lots were cut one, three, six and seven years before the study. Vegetation composition of the lots and the composition of the diet of cattle were also determined. Comparisons were made between treatments and lots. Herbaceous biomass was lower in the open grassland subplots than in uncut or cut subplots. We speculate that soil enrichment and more efficient precipitation input in (former) tree crown zones could have resulted in this pattern. Cutting and subsequent resprouting of trees did not lead to significant differences in herbaceous biomass between cut and uncut subplots. The most simple explanation for this is that the trees could extend their roots beyond the location of their neighbouring trees. Biomass and coverage of perennial grasses, mainly Andropogon ascinodis and Andropogon gayanus, did not change in lots cut one, three or six years before the study, but decreased dramatically in lots that were cut seven years before the study. When foraging, cattle spent more than 90% of their time feeding on these species. This indicates that, as a consequence of tree cutting, forage availability may be reduced to the point where local herdsmen are forced to take their cattle to another region.", "keywords": ["Vegetation dynamics", "Grazing", "Milieukunde", "tropical savanna", "vegetation dynamics", "Silvopastoralism", "grazing", "Bush encroachment", "silvopastoralism", "bush encroachment", "Tropical savanna"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1006044630728"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Agroforestry%20Systems", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1023/a:1006044630728", "name": "item", "description": "10.1023/a:1006044630728", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1023/a:1006044630728"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "1998-01-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1023/a:1009727804007", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"license": "Closed Access", "updated": "2026-05-31T06:58:16Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2002-12-22", "description": "Micropatterns induced by sheep grazing, were studied in three consecutive years in a Festuca rubra-dominated salt marsh in a grazing trial with five different stocking rates (0, 1.5, 3, 4.5 and 10 sheep ha(-1)). The micropatterns were formed by a mosaic of short and tall F. rubra stands on a scale of square decimeters. Permanent transects of 2 m x 10 m were used to study the stability of these patterns, and to analyze interactions between the vegetation, the marsh elevation and the sheep. Micropatterns occurred only in the lightly to moderately grazed paddocks (1.5-4.5 sheep ha(-1)) with the highest spatial diversity in the 3 sheep ha(-1) transect. When grazing was excluded, micropatterns did not develop; nor did they develop in the traditionally and most intensively grazed paddock (10 sheep ha(-1)). Detailed observations in one year showed that crude-protein content did not differ between green leaves from the short and tall stands, whereas in vitro digestibility was slightly higher in the short stands. In the same year, tiller density and length of full-grown leaves increased substantially in both stands from May to September. At the same time, sheep preference shifted from tall to short stands, which suggests an interplay between intake rate and digestibility in the sheep selectivity.
Seven years after establishment of the grazing trial, the 10 sheep ha(-1) transect still showed a smooth relief typical of the starting point of the other transects. These transects developed a more hummocky topography, with the highest spatial diversity occurring on the 1.5 sheep ha(-1) transect. Marsh elevations were on average up to 3 cm lower in the short than in the tall stands, which indicates that the somewhat lower-elevated patches were grazed more intensively than the higher-elevated patches.
In most cases, micropatterns changed from one year to the other, probably due to weather fluctuations. The incidence of tall stands was influenced by the rainfall balance. If the incidences of both the short and the tall stands were around 50%, however, the micropatterns showed a clear correlation with the marsh elevation. The rainfall balance seemed therefore a decisive factor for a possible correspondence between micropatterns in two consecutive years. Elevation differences were so subtle that greater than average sedimentation during a winter season could change the elevation pattern. Hence both rainfall balance and winter sedimentation counteracted the stability of the micropatterns. During our three-year study period, micropatterns were only stable in one out of six possible paired comparisons. This low micropattern stability contrasts with other studies in inland environments, which shows that in more dynamic environments, abiotic processes are likely to overrule summer grazing in determining vegetation patterns.
", "keywords": ["2. Zero hunger", "Festuca rubra", "GRASSLAND", "GEESE", "CATTLE", "grazing pattern", "AFFECTING DIET SELECTION", "micropattern", "15. Life on land", "BIOMASS", "GRASSES", "salt marsh", "herbivore selectivity", "PATCH CHOICE", "sheep grazing", "EARLY ESTABLISHMENT", "COMMUNITIES", "GERMINATION"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1009727804007"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Plant%20Ecology", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1023/a:1009727804007", "name": "item", "description": "10.1023/a:1009727804007", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1023/a:1009727804007"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "1997-09-01T00:00:00Z"}}], "links": [{"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "This document as GeoJSON", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items?keywords=Grazing&f=json", "hreflang": "en-US"}, {"rel": "alternate", "type": "text/html", "title": "This document as HTML", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items?keywords=Grazing&f=html", "hreflang": "en-US"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection URL", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main", "hreflang": "en-US"}, {"type": "application/geo+json", "rel": "first", "title": "items (first)", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items?keywords=Grazing&", "hreflang": "en-US"}, {"rel": "next", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "items (next)", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items?keywords=Grazing&offset=50", "hreflang": "en-US"}], "numberMatched": 109, "numberReturned": 50, "distributedFeatures": [], "timeStamp": "2026-05-31T08:06:56.265542Z"}