Acta Univ. Agric. Silvic. Mendelianae Brun. 2015, 63(4), 1201-1209 | DOI: 10.11118/actaun201563041201

Species Diversity and Botanical Composition of Permanent Grassland as a Response to Different Grazing Management Practices

Marie Štýbnarová1, Josef Hakl2, Pavlína Mičová1, Hana Karabcová1, Oldřich Látal1, Karel Fiala1, Jan Pozdíšek1
1 Agrovýzkum Rapotín Ltd., Výzkumníků 267, 788 13, Vikýřovice, Czech Republic
2 Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Praha 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic

The effects of different levels of grazing utilization (two, three and four grazing cycles per year) and mineral fertilization (nil-fertilization; N100P30K60) on the botanical composition of permanent grasslands were studied in the locality of Rapotín (Czech Republic, 332 m a.s.l.) from 2003-2010. The vegetation of the experimental pasture was classified as Cynosurion. It was found that moderate treatment (three grazing cycles per year) without mineral fertilization showed the highest value of diversity index (DI = 6.08), and maximum dominance of legumes (Dmax = 9.1%), particularly Trifolium repens. The highest dominance of grasses (Dmax = 77.7%), mainly Dactylis glomerata and Elytrigia repens, was achieved with the fertilized treatment utilized in two grazing cycles per year. Based on RDA results, tested management treatments explained 26% of species composition variability, where effect of number of grazing cycles per year was five-times higher than effect of fertilization. We recommend grassland utilization in three grazing cycles per year as the most suitable way from the objective of both species diversity and botanical composition of pastures in similar site conditions. Pasture fertilization should be more controlled by careful consideration of individual pasture goals, actual nutrient status of the soil and possible environmental risks.

Keywords: pasture experiment, fertilization, species diversity, floristic composition
Grants and funding:

This paper was supported by the institutional support for the long-term conceptual development of the research organisation, Ministry of Agriculture Decision No. RO1214 from 27 February 2014. The completion of the paper was supported by the 'S' grant of MSMT CR.

Prepublished online: September 2, 2015; Published: September 1, 2015  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Štýbnarová, M., Hakl, J., Mičová, P., Karabcová, H., Látal, O., Fiala, K., & Pozdíšek, J. (2015). Species Diversity and Botanical Composition of Permanent Grassland as a Response to Different Grazing Management Practices. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 63(4), 1201-1209. doi: 10.11118/actaun201563041201
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. ANDRIEU, N., JOSIEN, E. and DURU, M. 2007. Relationship between diversity of grassland vegetation, field characteristics and land use management practices assessed at the farm level. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ, 120: 359-369. DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2006.10.022 Go to original source...
    2. ANNICCHIARICO, P. and PROIETTI, S. 2010. White clover selected for enhanced competitive ability widens the compatibility with grasses and favours the optimization of legume content and forage yield in mown clover-grass mixtures. Grass and Forage Science, 65: 318-324. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2494.2010.00740.x Go to original source...
    3. BOHNER, A. and STARLINGER, F. 2011. Effects of abandonment of montane grasslands on plant species composition and species richness - a case study in Styria, Austria. Grassland Science in Europe, 16: 604-606.
    4. BRITAŇÁK, N., ILAVSKÁ, I. and HANZES, Ľ. 2009. An impact of mineral fertilization on the stability of seminatural grassland at excessive or deficient rainfall. Agriculture, 55: 139-146.
    5. CAREDDA, S., FRANCA, A. and SEDDAIU, G. 2002. Firebreaks oversowing: an alternative tool for the wildfire risk reduction in Sardinia. Grassland Science in Europe, 7: 908-909.
    6. DUMONT, B. and TALLOWIN, J. R. B. 2011. Interactions between grassland management and species diversity. In: LEMAIRE, G. et al. (eds), Grassland productivity and ecosystem services. CAB International, 129-137. Go to original source...
    7. FARNSWORTH, K. D. and ANDERSON, A. R. A. 2001. How simple grazing rules can lead to persistent boundaries in vegetation communities. Oikos, 95: 15-24. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0706.2001.950102.x Go to original source...
    8. FUHLENDORF, S. D., HARRELL, W. C., ENGLE, D. M., HAMILTON, R. G., DAVIS, C. A. and LESLIE, JR. D. M. 2006. Should heterogeneity be the basis for conservation? Grassland bird response to fire and grazing. Ecological Applications, 16: 1706-1716. DOI: 10.1890/1051-0761(2006)016[1706:SHBTBF]2.0.CO;2 Go to original source...
    9. HABEL, J. C., DENGLER, J., JANIŠOVÁ, M., TÖRÖK, P., WELLSTEIN, C. and WIEZIK, M. 2013. European grassland ecosystems: threatened hotspots of biodiversity. Biodiversity Conservation, 22: 2131-2138. DOI: 10.1007/s10531-013-0537-x Go to original source...
    10. HARPER, J. L. 1977. Population biology of plants. London: Academic Press.
    11. HEJCMAN, M., ČEŠKOVÁ, M., SCHELLBERG, J. and PÄTZOLD, S. 2010. The Rengen grassland experiment: Effect of soil chemical properties on biomass production, plant species composition and species richness. Folia Geobotanica, 45: 125-142. DOI: 10.1007/s12224-010-9062-9 Go to original source...
    12. HEJCMAN, M., KLAUDISOVÁ, M., SCHELLBERG, J. and HONSOVÁ, D. 2007. The Rengen Grassland Experiment: Plant species composition after 64 years of fertilizer application. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 122: 259-266. DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2006.12.036 Go to original source...
    13. HEJCMANOVÁ, P. and MLÁDEK, J. 2012. Diet selection of herbivores on species-rich pastures. Agricultural Research Updates, 2: 167-206.
    14. HELLSTRÖM, K., HUHTA, A. P., RAUTIO, P. and TUOMI, J. 2006. Search for optimal mowing regime - slow community change in a restoration trial in northern Finland. Ann. Bot. Fennici 43: 338-348.
    15. HELSEN, K., CEULEMANS, T., STEVENS, C. J. and HONNAY, O. 2014. Increasing soil nutrient loads of European semi-natural grasslands strongly alter plant functional diversity independently of species loss. Ecosystems, 17: 169-181. DOI: 10.1007/s10021-013-9714-8 Go to original source...
    16. HERVIEU, B. 2002. Multi-functionality: a conceptual framework for a new organization of research and development on grasslands and livestock systems. Grassland Science in Europe, 7: 1-4.
    17. HUSTON, M. 1979. A general hypothesis of species diversity. American Naturalist, 113: 81-101. DOI: 10.1086/283366 Go to original source...
    18. ISSELSTEIN, J. 2005. Enhancing grassland biodiversity and its consequences for grassland management and utilization. In: MCGILLOWAY, DA. (ed), Grassland: A Global Resource. Wageningen: Wageningen Academic Publishers, 305-320.
    19. ISSELSTEIN, J., JEANGROS, B. and PAVLŮ, V. 2005. Agronomic aspects of biodiversity targeted management of temperate grasslands in Europe - A review. Agronomy Research, 3: 139-151.
    20. KLIMEŠ, F. 2000. Dynamics of species richness of floodplain meadows. Plant Production, 46: 198-208.
    21. KLIMEŠ, F., KOBES, M. and SUCHÝ, K. 2008. The influence of management and exploitation of grasslands on the differentiation of their typological structure, biodiversity and productivity. Grassland Science in Europe, 13: 260-262.
    22. KOBES, M., SUCHÝ, K., VOŽENÍLKOVÁ, M. and FRELICH, J. 2010. The effect of different grazing systems on botanical composition, diversity and productivity of permanent pasture. Grassland Science in Europe, 15: 702-704.
    23. KOHOUTEK, A., KOMÁREK, P., NERUŠIL, P., ODSTRČILOVÁ, V., NĚMCOVÁ, P., HRABĚ, F., ROSICKÁ, L., KNOT, P., KVAPILÍK, J., CHALUPOVÁ, P., KAŠPAROVÁ, J., ŠRÁMEK, P., JIŘIČ, M., JIŘIČOVÁ, T., POZDÍŠEK, J., ŠTÝBNAROVÁ, M., SVOZILOVÁ, M., ČERNOCH, V. and HOUDEK, I. 2011. Effects of intensity of fertilisation and cutting frequency on yield and forage quality of permanent grassland in the Czech Republic from 2003 to 2010. Grassland Science in Europe, 16: 148-150.
    24. KRYSZAK, J. and KRYSZAK, A. 2005. Floristic changes in meadow swards after suspension of utilisation. Grassland Science in Europe, 10: 272-275.
    25. KUBÁT, K., HROUDA, L., CHRTEK, JR. J., KAPLAN, Z., KIRSCHNER, J. and ŠTĚPÁNEK, J. 2002. Key to the flora of the Czech Republic [in Czech: Klíč ke květeně České republiky]. Praha: Academia.
    26. LEMAIRE, G. 2012. Intensification of animal production from grassland and ecosystem services: a trade-off. CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources, 7: 1-7. DOI: 10.1079/PAVSNNR20127012 Go to original source...
    27. LINDEMANN, W. C. and GLOVER, C. R. 2003. Nitrogen fixation by legumes. Guide A-129, Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture and Home Economics, New Mexico State University.
    28. LÜCHNER, A., FROSSARD, E., MAYER, J., MÄDER, P. and OBERSON, A. 2012. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation of grass-clover leys under organic and conventional cropping. Grassland Science in Europe, 17: 67-69.
    29. MARŠÁLEK, M., ČERMÁK, B., KLIMEŠ, F., KOBES, M., LÁD, F. and FRELICH, J. 2008. Pasture stands for foals and phytocenologic relationships in marginal conditions. Lucrări stiinŃifice Zootehnie si Biotehnologii, 41: 326-331.
    30. MILCHUNAS, D. G., SALA, O. E. and LAUENROTH, W. K. 1988. A generalized model of the effects of grazing by large herbivores on grassland community structure. American Naturalist, 132: 87-106. DOI: 10.1086/284839 Go to original source...
    31. MORAVEC, J., BALÁTOVÁ-TULÁČKOVÁ, E., BLAŽKOVÁ, D., HADAČ, E., HEJNÝ, S., HUSÁK, Š., JENÍK, J., KOLBEK, J., KRAHULEC, F., KROPÁČ, Z., NEUHÄUSL, R., RYBNÍČEK, K., ŘEHOŘEK, V. and VICHEREK, J. 1995. Red list of plant communities of the Czech Republic and their endangerment [in Czech: Rostlinná společenstva České republiky a jejich ohrožení]. 2nd ed. Litoměřice.
    32. MRKVIČKA, J. and VESELÁ, M. 2002. The influence of long-term fertilization on species diversity and yield potential of permanent meadow stand. Rostlinná Výroba, 48: 69-75. Go to original source...
    33. PAVLŮ, V., HEJCMAN, M., PAVLŮ, L., GAISLER, J. and NEŽERKOVÁ, P. 2006. Effect of continuous grazing on forage quality, quantity and animal performance. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 113: 349-355. DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2005.10.010 Go to original source...
    34. PAVLŮ, L., PAVLŮ, V., GAISLER, J. and HEJCMAN, M. 2008. Effect of cessation of grazing management on dynamics of grassland weedy species. Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection, Special Issue XXI: 581-586.
    35. PETER, M., EDWARDS, P. J., JEANNERET, P., KAMPMANN, D. and LÜSCHER, A. 2008. Changes over three decades in the floristic composition of fertile permanent grasslands in the Swiss Alps. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ., 125: 204-212. DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2008.01.002 Go to original source...
    36. PÖTSCH, E. M., BLASCHKA, A. and RESCH, R. 2005. Impact of different management systems and location parameters on floristic diversity of mountainous grassland. Grassland Science in Europe, 10: 315-318.
    37. PÖYRY, J., LUOTO, M., PAUKKUNEN, J., PYKALA, J., RAATIKAINEN, K. and KUUSSAARI, M. 2006. Different responses of plants and herbivore insects to a gradient of vegetation height: an indicator of the vertebrate grazing intensity and successional age. Oikos, 115: 401-412. DOI: 10.1111/j.2006.0030-1299.15126.x Go to original source...
    38. PRÉVOSTO, B., KUITERS, L., BERNHARDT-RÖMERMANN, M., DÖLLE, M., SCHMIDT, W., HOFFMANN, M., VAN UYTVANCK, J., BOHNER, A., KREINER, D., STADLER, J., KLOTZ, S. and BRANDL, R. 2011. Impacts of land abandonment on vegetation: successional pathways in European habitats. Folia Geobotanica, 46: 303-325. DOI: 10.1007/s12224-010-9096-z Go to original source...
    39. RŽONCA, J., MIČOVÁ, P., SVOZILOVÁ, M., HOMOLA, M. and ŠTÝBNAROVÁ, M. 2005. The nutrients balance at different intensity of grassland utilisation. Výzkum v chovu skotu, 172: 1-6.
    40. SAKANOUE, S. 2010. Thermal time approach to predicting seedling emergence dates of red clover, white clover and lucerne in farm fields. Grass and Forage Science, 65: 212-219. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2494.2010.00739.x Go to original source...
    41. SCHACHT, W. H. and REECE, P. E. 2008. Impact of livestock grazing on extensively managed grazing lands. In: McDowell RW (ed): Environmental Impacts of Pasture-based Farming. CAB International, 122-143. Go to original source...
    42. SCIMONE, M., ROOK, A. J., GAREL, J. P. and SAHIN, N. 2007. Effects of livestock breed and grazing intensity on grazing systems: 3. Effects on diversity of vegetation. Grass and Forage Science, 62: 172-184. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2494.2007.00579.x Go to original source...
    43. SILVA, J. P., TOLAND, J., JONES, W., ELDRIDGE, J., THORPE, E. and O'HARA, E. 2008. LIFE and Europe's grasslands: Restoring a forgotten habitat. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.
    44. TER BRAAK, C. J. F. and ŠMILAUER, P. 2002. Canoco for Windows 4.5. Centre for Biometry Wageningen CPRO-DLO. Wageningen.
    45. WELLSTEIN, C., OTTE, A. and WALDHARDT, R. 2007. Impact of site and management on the diversity of central European mesic grassland. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ., 122: 203-210. DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2006.12.033 Go to original source...
    46. WRAGE, N., STRODTHOFF, J., CUCHILLO, H. M., ISSELSTEIN, J. and KAYSER, M. 2011. Phytodiversity of temperate permanent grasslands: ecosystem services for agriculture and livestock management for diversity conservation. Biodivers. Conserv., 20: 3317-3339. DOI: 10.1007/s10531-011-0145-6 Go to original source...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY NC ND 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content