Get reliable rangeland science

The substantial research gap between rangeland/livestock science and conservation biology/vegetation ecology has led to a shortage of evidence needed for grazing-related conservation management. Knowledge co-production and long-term knowledge partnerships between scientific and traditional knowledge could help fill this gap. We worked closely with traditional herders in Hungary (including co-design and co-publication) on understanding grazing behaviour of beef cattle on species-rich grasslands. We found that cattle grazing on species-rich pastures displayed at least 10 different behavioural elements as they encountered 117 forage species from highly desired (preferred) to rejected, with small discrimination error. Herders had broad knowledge of grazing desire and they consciously aimed to modify desire (modify selection behaviour, grazing preference) by slowing, stopping or redirecting the herd. Many of these have conservation benefits. We also prepared a global review on forage-related knowledge of herders based on scientific papers and video documentaries, and collaboratively discussed with traditional herders. We found 35 indicators used by herders to describe forage species. These indicators were used in context-specific management decisions, with a variety of objectives to optimize grazing.