Semiarid Rangeland Is Resilient to Summer Fire and Postfire Grazing Utilization

Most wildfires occur during summer in the northern hemisphere, the area burned annually is increasing, and fire effects during this season are least understood. Understanding plant response to grazing following summer fire is required to reduce ecological and financial risks associated with wildfire. Forty 0.75-ha plots were assigned to summer fire then 0, 17, 34 or 50% biomass removal by grazing the following growing season, or no fire and no grazing. Root, litter, and aboveground biomass were measured before fire, immediately after grazing, and 1 yr after grazing with the experiment repeated during 2 yr to evaluate weather effects. Fire years were followed by the second driest and fifth wettest springs in 70 yr. Biomass was more responsive to weather than fire and grazing, with a 452% increase from a dry to wet year and 31% reduction from a wet to average spring. Fire reduced litter 53% and had no first-year effect on productivity for any biomass component. Grazing after fire reduced postgrazing grass biomass along the prescribed utilization gradient. Fire and grazing had no effect on total aboveground productivity the year after grazing compared to nonburned, nongrazed sites (1 327 vs. 1 249 ± 65 kg · ha^-1). Fire and grazing increased grass productivity 16%, particularly for Pascopyrum smithii. The combined disturbances reduced forbs (51%), annual grasses (49%), and litter (46%). Results indicate grazing with up to 50% biomass removal the first growing season after summer fire was not detrimental to productivity of semiarid rangeland plant communities. Livestock exclusion the year after summer fire did not increase productivity or shift species composition compared to grazed sites. Reduction of previous years' standing dead material was the only indication that fire may temporarily reduce forage availability. The consistent responses among dry, wet, and near-average years suggest plant response is species-specific rather than climatically controlled.     

Technical note: sampling technique and drying method effects on chemical composition of tall fescue or fescue-ladino clover pasture samples

Although esophageal extrusa is the most readily accepted representation of forage consumed by grazing ruminants, esophageal sampling is demanding from the standpoint of animal care and maintenance and extrusa processing. This experiment was conducted with a split-plot design to evaluate the effects of pasture type, pasture sampling technique and drying method on estimation of grazed forage composition. Ten esophageally fistulated steers grazed pastures of either tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) or tall fescue interseeded with ladino clover (Trifolium repens L.); steers were closely observed during four collection periods to determine their exact grazing location. Forage samples were collected either directly from the esophageal fistula (E) or hand-gathered (HG) from the immediate perimeter of the grazed area. Samples of E and HG from each steer were divided and oven-dried at 40 degrees C or lyophilized. Fescue samples had lower (P less than .01) N and ADF N concentrations than fescue-ladino clover samples, and E-collected fescue samples had lower (P less than .05) in vitro digestible OM than E-collected fescue-ladino clover samples. Sampling x drying method interactions were detected (P less than .01) for OM, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose (HEMI), ADL, alkaline peroxide lignin (APL), ADFN and indigestible ADF (IADF). Oven-dried E had higher (P less than .05) NDF, ADF, HEMI, ADL, APL and ADF N than lyophilized E; ADF N and IADF were higher from oven-dried HG than from lyophilized HG. In vitro digestible OM was not modified by oven drying. Hand-gathered samples, whether lyophilized or oven-dried, did not simulate E dried by lyophilization. Standardized collection techniques and drying procedures should be implemented to minimize damage to fibrous components.     

Grazing sericea lespedeza for control of gastrointestinal nematodes in lambs

Alternatives to chemical dewormers are needed to counter anthelmintic resistance and improve worm control in organic management systems. The objective was to examine the effectiveness of grazing sericea lespedeza (SL) compared with grass pastures for control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in lambs. In Experiment 1, Katahdin lambs grazed bermudagrass (BG; n=14), tall fescue (TF; n=7), or SL (n=19) pastures during early summer months. In Experiment 2, lambs grazed TF (n=15) or SL (n=13) pastures during late summer. Stocking rate of pastures was based on forage availability; additional lambs grazed pastures in Experiment 2, but were not sampled. Lambs were dewormed with 0.5 g COWP if FAMACHA(?) score was >3. In Experiment 1, FEC were reduced within 35 days in SL compared with BG lambs (forage by time, P=0.03). The PCV was more resilient to changes over time in SL compared with other groups of lambs (forage by time, P=0.001). In Experiment 2, FEC were lower (P=0.02) and PCV tended to be higher (P=0.09) in lambs grazing SL compared with TF forage. Incidence of deworming was similar among forage groups in both experiments. Grazing SL reduced FEC in lambs in early and late summer, despite reluctance by lambs to graze. Grazing forage and selective deworming using COWP was effective in lambs.     

Restoring Tallgrass Prairie and Grassland Bird Populations in Tall Fescue Pastures With Winter Grazing

Restoration of grasslands dominated by tall fescue (Schedonorus phoenix [Scop.] Holub) to native tallgrass prairie usually requires burning, herbicides, or reseeding. We tested seasonal grazing by livestock in winter, combined with cessation of fertilization, as a restoration tool for modifying the competitive dynamics among herbaceous plants to restore tallgrass prairie communities in southeastern Kansas. In 2004–2005, we compared responses of grassland plants and birds across a chronosequence of pastures that were winter-grazed from 1 yr to 5 yr. We compared winter-grazed pastures to pastures grazed year-round and to local native prairie remnants as starting and endpoints for restoration, respectively. Abundance of native warm-season grasses increased from 2% to 3% mean relative frequency in pastures grazed year-round to 18% to 30% in winter-grazed pastures, and increased with duration of winter-grazing. Native warm-season grasses accounted for 1–6% of total live aboveground biomass in pastures grazed year-round, 1–34% in winter-grazed pastures, and 31–34% in native prairie remnants. Tall fescue abundance and biomass were similar among grazing treatments, with a trend for tall fescue to be less dominant in winter-grazed pastures. Tall fescue made up 9–40% of total aboveground biomass in year-round grazed pastures and 10–25% in winter-grazed pastures. Grassland birds showed variable responses to winter-grazing. Dickcissels (Spiza americana) and Henslow’s sparrows (Ammodramus henslowii) were more abundant in winter-grazed pastures, whereas eastern meadowlarks (Sturnella magna) and grasshopper sparrows (A. savannarum) had similar abundance in pastures grazed year-round and during winter. Winter-grazing of pastures dominated by tall fescue combined with suspension of nitrogen fertilization could be an effective restoration technique that allows use of prairie rangeland while improving habitat for sensitive grassland birds.     

Effect of Phosphate Fertilization on Flooding Pampa Grasslands (Argentina)

We postulate that phosphorus (P) fertilization may increase above-ground net primary productivity (ANPP) of rotationally grazed rangelands without reducing the legume component, as does N fertilization. In doing so, we evaluated the effect of phosphate fertilization on the production and relative contribution of legumes and grasses of native and old tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb) grasslands; we recorded annual production, seasonal productivity, and biomass contribution of each component. The experiment was conducted in a commercial farm located in the Flooding Pampa and managed under rotational grazing. Treatments consisted of two fertilization programs (66 (P₆₆) and 29 (P₂₉) kg P · ha^-1 supplied as rock phosphate and/or monoammonium phosphate from 1997 to 1999) and a nonfertilized control. A paddock dominated by native grassland and another dominated by old tall fescue grassland were selected. Nine 5-ha plots were established in each paddock, and treatments were randomly assigned. During the experimental period, from October 1998 to October 1999, total above-ground biomass was harvested from each plot before and after each grazing period and separated into components: tall fescue, other C₃ perennial grasses, legumes, C₃ annual grasses, C₄ grasses, forbs, and standing dead material. ANPP of each component was estimated during the warm (October 1998–February 1999) and the cool (March 1999–September 1999) season. In native grassland, phosphate fertilization increased ANPP of C₃ annual grasses and legumes during both the warm and the cool seasons; therefore annual ANPP of the grassland under P₆₆ was 40% higher than under P₂₉ and doubled ANPP of nonfertilized plots. Phosphate fertilization didn't increase total annual ANPP of old tall fescue grassland, but it did increase ANPP of legumes during both seasons.     

藏北高寒草地牧草营养品质对放牧的响应机制

基于藏北高原的3个围栏与自由放牧试验样地,探讨了高寒草地牧草营养品质对放牧的响应机制.结果表明:在一个高寒草原化草甸冷季牧场,冷季放牧分别减少了24.29％和18.98％的杂草酸性洗涤纤维和中性洗涤纤维含量,并增加了41.05％的杂草粗灰分含量,从而增加了杂草营养品质;而没有改变群落和优势牧草营养品质.在一个高寒草原化...     

禁牧对藏北高原狼毒型退化草地群落特征及生产力的影响

狼毒型退化草地是藏北高原主要的退化草地之一,禁牧是退化草地治理常用的措施。以藏北高原狼毒型退化草地为对象,于2010-2012年采用样方调查法对禁牧(2004年开始禁牧)和放牧样地的植物群落特征及生产力进行了3年的跟踪观测,旨在揭示禁牧对藏北高原狼毒型退化草地群落特征及生产力的影响。结果表明:1)禁牧显著增加了狼毒型退化草地地上总生物量(P<0.05),且时间越长,效果越明显。2010-2012年禁牧样地地上总生物量相比于放牧样地分别增加了62.4%、64.3%和70.2%。2)禁牧在提高其他牧草产量的同时,对狼毒生产力也有显著的促进作用(P<0.05),且随着禁牧时间的延长,这种促进作用逐渐强化。2010-2012年放牧样地狼毒地上生物量比禁牧样地分别低了43.8%、55.3%、89.3%(P<0.05)。3)禁牧有利于改善狼毒型退化草地群落物种多样性。随着禁牧年限的增加,禁牧样地物种多样性指数、均匀度指数、物种丰富度指数均显著增加(P<0.05)。4)放牧样地各类植物生物量随禁牧年限的变化与禁牧样地呈相同的趋势。综上所述,禁牧对狼毒型退化草地的恢复作用并不明显,还应结合其他的治理措施。     

Interaction of Grazing Muzzle Use and Grass Species on Forage Intake of Horses

The impact of horse preference and grass morphology on grazing muzzle effectiveness has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of grazing muzzle use at reducing forage intake when horses grazed grasses with different morphology and preferences. The study was conducted in 2012 and 2013. Four horses were grazed in 2012, and three horses were grazed in 2013. Four species of perennial cool-season grasses were grazed in 2012 including Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), meadow fescue (Schedonorus pratensis Huds.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.). In 2013, only Kentucky bluegrass and reed canarygrass were grazed because of winter kill of other species. Horses were allowed to graze a small pasture seeded with an individual species for 4 hours each day in June and August of 2012 and August and September of 2013. Horses grazed the same grass species for two consecutive days, one day with a muzzle and one day without. Before and after each grazing, a strip was mechanically harvested to determine initial and residual herbage mass. The difference was used to estimate forage intake. The effectiveness of a grazing muzzle was not affected by forage species (P ≥ .05). Use of a grazing muzzle decreased the amount of forage consumed by an average of 30% compared with not using a grazing muzzle (P < .0001). Results will aid horse owners and professionals in estimating forage intake of muzzled horses on pasture.     

Livestock Forage Conditioning Among Six Northern Great Basin Grasses

Studies of Anderson and Scherzinger's forage conditioning hypothesis have generated varied results. Our objectives were: 1) to evaluate late summer/early fall forage quality of crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum [Fisch. ex Link] J. A. Schultes), bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata [Pursh] A. Löve), Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis Elmer), bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides [Raf.] Swezey), Thurber's needlegrass (Achnatherum thurberianum [Piper] Barkworth), and basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus [Scribn. & Merr.] A. Löve) from ungrazed paddocks and paddocks grazed at vegetative, boot, and anthesis; and 2) test hypotheses that postgrazing regrowth yields were correlated with soil moisture content when grazing occurred. Crop–year precipitation for 1997 and 1998 was 134% and 205% of average. Crude protein (CP) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of ungrazed grasses displayed expected declines in quality. Among ungrazed grasses, late summer/early fall CP was 5.7% in 1997 and 3.6% in 1998; IVDMD was 47% and 41%, respectively. Late summer/early fall forage quality was elevated by vegetative, boot stage, or anthesis grazing. The phenologically youngest regrowth always ranked highest in CP and IVDMD. Among grasses, respective 1997 CP and IVDMD means were 9.0% and 55% for regrowth following anthesis grazing. No regrowth followed anthesis grazing in 1998, but CP and IVDMD means from boot stage treatments were 5.5% and 47%, respectively. With CP measures, a species by treatment interaction occurred in 1997, but species reacted similarly in 1998. Vegetative, boot stage, and anthesis grazing in 1997 caused respective late summer/early fall standing crop reductions of 34%, 42%, and 58%; and 34%, 54%, and 100% reductions in 1998. Forage conditioning responses were lower for bluebunch wheatgrass and crested wheatgrass than other grasses. Soil moisture content was a poor predictor of regrowth yields. Managed cattle grazing can successfully enhance late season forage quality.     

放牧方式和施肥梯度对高寒草甸群落生产力和物种丰富度的影响

通过比较青藏高原东部高寒草甸植物群落的地上生物量、物种丰富度及其相关关系对两种放牧方式和4种施肥梯度的响应, 分析了放牧方式和施肥梯度对该类草甸群落的影响。结果表明, 放牧显著增加了物种丰富度 (P0.001), 减小了群落生物量, 增加了杂类草在生物量中的比重, 抑制了禾草类物种的生长, 而施肥则显著降低了物种丰富度(P0.001), 但是增加了群落生物量, 抑制了杂类草类的生长, 增加了禾草类在生物量中的比重。在全年放牧的所有施肥区, 物种丰富度均未呈现显著变化(P0.05), 而在全年封育的所有施肥区, 物种的丰富度均显著下降(P0.001), 这表明放牧是主效应, 施肥效应被放牧效应所掩盖。在放牧处理或施肥处理下的所有试验小区中, 群落生物量和物种丰富度均呈负相关关系, 且这种负相关程度随着施肥水平增加或封育禁牧而显著增强。本研究还发现在该地区牧场中进行适度的氮肥撒施可以既不影响物种的丰富度, 又能增加群落的生产力, 而且可以提高优质牧草在群落中的比重, 这是一种最佳的群落性能, 能够承载更多的牲畜进而带来更高的经济效益且不会导致当地草原的退化, 适宜在该地区牧场中进行推广。     

海南坡鹿对采食部位的选择与饲草酸性洗涤纤维含量的相关性

在海南大田国家级自然保护区围栏内用食痕法(evidence of feeding on forage)观测海南坡鹿Cervus eldi hainanus(简称坡鹿)对18种草本和18种灌木类饲草的采食部分占整株草本植株或占整枝灌木主枝条的尺寸比,同时测定各饲草的酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)含量.结果显示,按旱季与雨季的(全年)平均值,坡鹿对草本类饲草的采食尺寸比为49.29%,对灌木类饲草为57.3%;草本类饲草的ADF含量为9.91%,灌木类饲草为9.19%;无论草本还是灌木类,坡鹿的采食尺寸比随饲草ADF含量的增加而显著降低.研究表明,在大田自然保护区围栏内,坡鹿对ADF含量在10%以上的饲草不喜食,饲草纤维物质含量是坡鹿在围栏内扩充采食部位以增加营养摄入量的限制性因子,在旱季种植并收割饲草投喂坡鹿时,应避免其纤维物质含量增高.     

Long-Term Vegetation Productivity and Trend Under Two Stocking Levels on Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland

Vegetation changes were evaluated over an 11-year period (1995–2005) on 2 light- and 2 conservative-stocked Chihuahuan Desert pastures in south central New Mexico. Grazing treatments were applied to the pastures over a 5-year period from 1997 through 2001. Pastures were not grazed in the 1995–1996 and 2002–2005 periods due to drought. During the 1997–2001 grazing period, grazing use of primary forage species averaged 29% and 40% on light- and conservative-stocked rangelands, respectively. Grazing intensity was consistently higher on conservative-stocked than light-stocked pastures. During our study heavy grazing occurred only in 1 year on pastures with conservative stocking. There were no differences in species or species categories (grasses, forbs, shrubs) of autumn standing crop and basal cover between light-and conservative-stocked pastures. Standing crop of total vegetation and perennial grasses showed large fluctuations among the years due to variable rainfall. Under both treatments, total herbaceous standing crop was unchanged, but perennial grass standing crop declined by over 50% when the last 3 years of study were compared with the first 3 years of study. Broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae Pursh), a poisonous half shrub, increased in standing crop and cover during the study. Basal cover of total perennial grasses declined less under light than conservative stocking during the study period. However, climatic conditions exerted the overriding influence on vegetation standing crop and basal cover. Our study indicates that light stocking in the Chihuahuan Desert does not increase perennial grass production compared to conservative grazing but it could have a small benefit in maintaining perennial grass cover during drought. We believe our findings have broad application in the Chihauhuan Desert, but caution they might not apply well to other arid rangeland types.     

Can Targeted Grazing Reduce Abundance of Invasive Perennial Grass (Kentucky Bluegrass) on Native Mixed-Grass Prairie?

The rapid increase of Poa pratensis L. (Kentucky bluegrass) on North Dakota grasslands during the past 30 yr has negatively impacted ecological services. Kentucky bluegrass grows earlier in the spring than many native grasses, which provides an opportunity to use targeted grazing to reduce Kentucky bluegrass and increase native grasses. A 5 year replicated study used 10 cow-calf pairs or pregnant cows to graze 3-ha paddocks in early to mid-May, early spring, (EARLY) until 30% of the native species were grazed. After 1 June, late spring−early summer, five cow-calf pairs were grazed on 3-ha paddocks (LATE) for twice as long as the EARLY treatment. Biomass was clipped inside and outside of cages after each grazing event and outside cages in the fall. In each paddock, a hundred 10-point frames were taken to determine percent native grass, Kentucky bluegrass, Bromus inermis Leyss. (smooth bromegrass), native forbs, and introduced forbs. After 5 yr, native grass abundance in the EARLY paddocks was 26% greater than in the LATE paddocks. Kentucky bluegrass abundance only differed the second year of the study when the EARLY paddocks had 32% less Kentucky bluegrass than the LATE paddocks. Total biomass was greater in the EARLY paddocks than LATE paddocks in year 2 of the study (886 ± 74 g m⁻² vs. 608 ± 28 g m⁻² for EARLY and LATE, respectively). Targeted grazing by cattle in early spring can increase native grass abundance and, depending on the year, decrease abundance of Kentucky bluegrass. Early spring targeted grazing should be used as a tool in adaptive management programs focusing on reduction of Kentucky bluegrass.     

羊草个体性状对不同放牧模式响应的研究

为了解放牧系统中优势植物个体性状的响应机制和方式,可为草地持续利用及健康管理提供相应的科学依据。在河北沽源草地生态系统野外站以连续5年放牧的典型草原中优势植物羊草（Leymus chinensis）为研究对象,对不同放牧模式下羊草的株高、地上、地下生物量、根冠比等个体性状进行观测。结果表明：长期过度放牧导致羊草植株变矮,冠丛幅降低;放牧改变了羊草生物量分配,增加了地下生物量所占比例;羊草地上部对放牧干扰响应强烈,地下部对放牧响应较地上滞后,根系含水量有随放牧强度加大而增加的趋势。羊草个体性状对不同放牧模式有着不同的适应策略,对秋季重度放牧方式响应强烈。     

禁牧与放牧对新疆温性草原群落结构、生物量及牧草品质的影响

本试验研究了不同利用方式下温性草原植被特征及品质变化情况,旨在了解禁牧和放牧对草地群落产生的影响和群落变化过程,为合理利用与管理新疆温性草原提供理论依据。本研究以禁牧与放牧两种利用方式下的新疆温性草原为研究对象,2018年采用野外调查和室内分析相结合的方法,对整个生长季的草地群落生物量、数量特征、多样性及植被品质进行了动态观测。结果表明：放牧使群落基本数量特征（群落高度、盖度和密度）显著降低（P<0.05）,退化指示植物在群落中所占比重增加;与放牧草地相比,禁牧草地的群落优势物种生物量、总生物量均显著提高（P<0.05）,优势物种所占比重增加,群落丰富度下降,植物中粗蛋白含量降低,纤维含量显著增加（P<0.05）。本研究发现自由放牧会使草原群落向退化方向演替,长期禁牧会使得群落丰富度下降,在草原利用时要合理的将放牧与禁牧相结合,促进草地生态系统可持续发展。     

Performance of steers grazing rhizomatous and nonrhizomatous birdsfoot trefoil in pure stands and in tall fescue mixtures

This study investigated the performance of steers grazing rhizomatous birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) (RBFT) compared to nonrhizomatous birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) in pure stands or when interseeded with endophyte-free tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.; TF). Five forage treatments of RBFT, BFT, TF, RBFT+TF, and BFT+TF (four replicate paddocks per treatment) were continuously stocked in spring and fall of 1998 and spring of 1999. Grazing for individual treatments was terminated when pasture mass fell below 900 kg/ha. Average daily gain was greatest (P < 0.10) in pure stands of BFT and RBFT, but total forage production, and thus grazing days, for these treatments was low. Average daily gain for steers grazing BFT+TF and RBFT+TF treatments was not different from (spring and fall 1998) or greater (P < 0.10) (spring 1999) than that for TF. Total forage production of BFT+TF and RBFT+TF was greater (P < 0.10) than that of TF in spring 1998. In fall 1998, BFT+TF produced more (P < 0.10) total forage than either RBFT+TF or TF, and in spring 1999, RBFT+TF had less (P < 0.10) total forage than TF or BFT+TF. Total steer days on mixed pastures were greater (P < 0.10) than that for TF in spring and fall 1998 but not different from those for TF in spring 1999. In all three trials total weight gain/hectare was greater (P < 0.10) for RBFT+TF and BFT+TF than for TF. The RBFT+TF and BFT +TF had greater (P < 0.05) CP than TF in spring and fall 1998 and less (P < 0.05) NDF and ADF in fall 1998. We concluded that either RBFT or BFT could be interseeded with tall fescue to enhance ADG and total steer days.     

冬季火烧对黄土高原典型草原群落特征及土壤特征的影响

本研究采用野外样方调查和室内分析相结合的方法,分析了黄土高原典型草原冬季火烧区和未火烧区植物群落的物种组成、功能群组成、物种多样性、地上生物量,以及土壤有机碳和全氮。结果表明：冬季火烧显著降低了多年生禾草的重要值,而提高了多年生杂类草的重要值,而对一、二年生草本和灌木、半灌木功能群的重要值影响不显著。冬季火烧显著提高了灌木、半灌木在群落中的比例,并且降低了一、二年生草本的比例,但对多年生禾草和多年生杂类草的比例影响不显著。灌木、半灌木功能群的丰富度指数在火烧地显著大于未火烧地,而一、二年生草本的丰富度指数显著小于未火烧地。冬季火烧显著降低多年生禾草功能群的生物量和显著提高多年生杂类草功能群的生物量。火烧草地的土壤有机碳和全氮含量在0～10 cm土层中均显著高于未火烧草地。     

Effects of Grazing on Vegetation Characteristics and Forage Nutrientional Quality in a Temperate Desert Steppe北大核心CSCD

Grazing and fencing field were sampled to explore their effects on vegetation characteristics and forage nutritional quality by the combined analytical method in the temperate desert steppe. The results showed that, grazing significantly decreased the height, coverage and biomass of the plant community, and significantly increased the species richness index (P<0.01). Moreover, grazing significantly increased the Crude protein (CP), Crude fat (CF), Dry matter digestibility (DMD) and Metabolic energy (ME), and significantly decreased the Neutral detergent fibers (NDF) and Acid detergent fibers (ADF) (P<0.01). The species richness index was positively correlated with CP, CF, DMD and ME, but negatively correlated with NDF and ADF (P<0.01). CP, CF, DMD and ME were negatively correlated with NDF and ADF (P<0.01). In summary, grazing significantly increased species richness index and forage nutritional quality. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out appropriate grazing on the fencing temperate desert steppe to make full use of grassland resources and protect species diversity. © 2019 Authors. All rights reserved.     

暖季放牧犊牦牛对高寒草甸地区人工草地的影响

为更好地了解青藏高原高寒草甸区暖季放牧条件下人工草地牧草的生长特点,为制定合理放牧制度提供依据,于2001~2003年开展了暖季放牧牦牛对多年生人工草地影响的试验。结果表明:放牧2年后轮牧人工草地播种牧草比例为95.27%,连续放牧人工草地为86.15%,无放牧人工草地为58.01%。轮牧人工草地牧草月风干重最高值3 198.8 kg/hm2,连续放牧人工草地为3 023.2 kg/hm2。放牧可以提高人工草地牧草生长率,轮牧人工草地的牧草生长率高于连续放牧人工草地。放牧还影响着第2年播种牧草的生长,轮牧能促进种子出苗数,播种牧草的鲜重,风干重和种子产量分别达到了5 088.88 kg/hm2,3 053.33 kg/hm2和480 kg/hm2,均高于连续放牧人工草地和无放牧草地,轮牧人工草地杂草鲜草产量最低,为193.33 kg/hm2。适宜的放牧是保持人工草地可持续利用的手段之一。     

放牧对温性荒漠草原植物群落特征与牧草营养品质的影响

为研究放牧对温性荒漠草原植物群落特征和牧草营养品质的影响,本文研究了放牧和围封对温性荒漠草原植物群落特征、牧草营养品质的影响及其相互关系。结果表明：放牧显著降低了植物群落的高度、盖度和生物量,显著增加了物种丰富度指数（P<0.01）;放牧显著增加牧草粗蛋白（Crude protein,CP）、粗脂肪（Crude fat,CF）、消化率（Dry matter digestibility,DMD）和代谢能（Metabolic energy,ME）,显著降低了牧草的中性洗涤纤维（Neutral detergent fibers,NDF）和酸性洗涤纤维（Acid detergent fibers,ADF）（P<0.01）;群落多样性指数与牧草CP,CF,DMD和ME呈显著正相关（P<0.01）,与牧草NDF和ADF呈显著负相关（P<0.01）;牧草CP,CF,DMD和ME与NDF和ADF呈显著负相关（P<0.01）。总之,放牧处理显著增加了物种丰富度指数和牧草营养品质。建议对围封温性荒漠草原进行适度放牧,以充分利用草地资源,保护草地物种多样性。