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Synergizing livestock management and grassland ecology for enhanced biodiversity and soil health
Author
Schossler, D
Garcia, S
Medina, A
Widmaier, G
Publisher
XII International Rangeland Congress
Publication Year
2025
Body

This study investigated the relationship between soil health and biodiversity in grasslands, under the hypothesis that better livestock management practices result in a healthier balance between fungi and bacteria, greater carbon sequestration potential, higher bird diversity, and better coverage of forage species. Six farms were selected, and within each, variables were determined at farm and paddock level. At farm level, floristic variables related to pasture degradation as coverage of forage species, coverage of invasive exotic species, proportion and height of the upper stratum were assessed to form the Grassland Conservation Index (GCI) and Bird Monitoring Strategy. At paddock level, a representative pasture was chosen based on the dominant soil group. Two transects were established in these pastures along which soil was sampled for analyses of microbiologically, chemical and physical attributes. Fungal abundance, the fungi-to-bacteria ratio (F), enzymatic activities (beta-glucosidase and phosphatase), and active carbon (AC) were determined. These variables were used to construct the Microbiological Soil Health Index. Chemical analyses included nutrient content, micronutrients, pH, and bases. At the farm level, principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the main and the second axis explained 39,4% and 24% respectively, of the variability, distinguishing two samples. AC and phosphatase, crucial for the soil health index, were determinant in this separation. These two samples showed higher total phosphorus (P total), AC, and phosphatase activity, suggesting that soils rich in total P can sustain a greater abundance of P-solubilizing microorganisms. Although the number is low and much more studies are needed to correlate the ecosystemic trophic chains and their relationships, this case study leaves lessons learned and trends of the relationships between ecosystemic services of rangelands.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Additional Information
This paper is part of the larger XII International Rangelands Congress Proceedings. Page Numbers: 1192-1196. Theme: Theme 4 / Poster presentations – Theme 4
ISSN
978-0-646-72121-7
Conference Name
International Rangeland Congress
Collection
International Rangelands Congress
Keywords
bird diversity
grassland conservation index (GCI)
soil microorganism
active carbon
phosphatase activity