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Grassland primary productivity is the function that underpins the majority of the fodder production in cattle-rearing silvopastoral farms. Hence, understanding the factors that determine grassland productivity is critical for the design and management of silvpastoral systems. We studied the effect of two factors with documented impact on grassland...
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Context 1
... grandis L. f. (Carao, Caesalpinioideae) is considered as semi- deciduous ( Stevens et al. 2001) although it maintains a high crown density in the dry season in the study area (ca 80 % in February at the peak of the dry season 1 ). The characteristics of the trees in the study are presented in Table 1. G. ulmifolia and T. rosea exhibited clear crown deciduousness, whereas C. grandis trees maintained approximately two-thirds of the maximum crown density in the dry season (Table 1). ...
Context 2
... characteristics of the trees in the study are presented in Table 1. G. ulmifolia and T. rosea exhibited clear crown deciduousness, whereas C. grandis trees maintained approximately two-thirds of the maximum crown density in the dry season (Table 1). ...
Context 3
... properties and the effect on grassland ANPP Tree crown density changed significantly with the season (F = 4.94; P = 0.0009) in all tree species, but there were marked species-specific differences. The highest crown density was observed in July in C. grandis, which also maintained a higher density in the dry-and the rainy season (Table 1). Overall, there was no correspondence between crown density and ANPP- RII (F = 0.121, P = 0.4101), and when testing the dry- and rainy season independently, we found no correspon- dence between ANPP-RII in the dry season and crown density (Pearson r = -0.15, ...
Citations
... Finally, three of the reviewed studies found evidence that deciduous trees had improved outcomes compared to evergreen trees (Frost and McDougald 1989;Ratliff et al. 1991;Rusch et al. 2014;Plevich et al. 2019). For instance, Rusch et al. (2014) measured significantly lower pasture production from July to August under an evergreen tree compared to two other deciduous trees, and the evergreen tree also had the greatest crown density in the dry and rainy season. ...
... Finally, three of the reviewed studies found evidence that deciduous trees had improved outcomes compared to evergreen trees (Frost and McDougald 1989;Ratliff et al. 1991;Rusch et al. 2014;Plevich et al. 2019). For instance, Rusch et al. (2014) measured significantly lower pasture production from July to August under an evergreen tree compared to two other deciduous trees, and the evergreen tree also had the greatest crown density in the dry and rainy season. There was no evidence that soil moisture was a function of canopy density, and so the authors suggested that the differing impacts on pasture productivity were because of the evergreen crown intercepting more PAR. ...
Silvopastoral systems have complex impacts on a diverse range of outcomes, making it essential to design these systems using an integrative approach to maximise positive impacts to farms. This paper comprises firstly a systematic review of global silvopastoral processes, and secondly stakeholder-driven synthesis of key opportunities and challenges for future silvopastoralism situated in the context of New Zealand. The systematic review demonstrated that although under-researched, livestock interactions can have overriding influences on the system, and that the traditional functional traits that are typically deemed important for selection (N 2-fixing trees v non N 2-fixing trees, evergreen v deciduous) do not show consistent positive impacts on the agroecological environment. From the New Zealand silvopastoral participatory case study, including the stakeholder workshop, we synthesised 5 key principles that should be considered in future system designs. These were: (1) silvopastoral systems are complex and require holistic management; (2) the views, values and experiences of local people are deeply connected to silvopastoral system design; (3) spatial heterogeneity in environmental and social conditions requires locally specific decisions; (4) understanding of ecological processes must underpin all management decisions; and (5) the complexity and spatial heterogeneity present in silvopastoral systems requires high-resolution data and tools.
... The presence of trees results in lower surface temperature ( Guenni et al. 2018 ) and affects the physical and chemical properties of the soil ( Villanueva-López et al. 2015 ). It also improves animal welfare by reducing heat stress, which in turn improves animal production ( Rusch et al. 2014 ). Additionally, STP favors the connectivity between wooded landscapes ( Harvey et al. 2011 ) and promotes both carbon sequestration and water conservation ( Morales et al. 2020 ; Aryal et al. ...
... The highest grass production in June can also be attributed to the thrust from the initial rainfall after a dry period, which decreased afterward. This coincides with results reported by Rusch et al. (2014) and Stahle et al. (2016) , who indicated that grass production is negatively affected by a decrease in rainfall. Despite this, a relatively high forage yield during April and May, which coincided with lesser rainfall in this tropical region, indicated that Xaráes grass cultivar can maintain forage production without the need for abundant rainfall. ...
Trees play an important role in livestock grazing lands but the effects of tree shade on grass productivity has not been studied widely. In this study, we evaluated the effect of tree shade on grass yield in pasturelands with dispersed trees in the humid tropics of Mexico. We sampled two livestock grazing systems: (1) scattered native trees in paddocks composed of Cordia alliodora and Cedrela odorata trees with Brachiaria brizantha cv. ‘Xaráes’ grass; and (2) scattered trees in paddocks composed of C. alliodora, C. odorata, and Guazuma ulmifolia, with B. brizantha cv. ‘Marandú’ grass. We established isolation cages at different distances from trees: a) under the tree canopy, b) on the border of the tree canopy, and c) out of reach of the tree canopy, to measure grass yield, grass height, dry matter content, and senescent biomass from April to September. The effect of tree shade on grass yield was significant, with the highest grass production under the tree canopy compared to the grasses that grew on the border of the tree canopy and in the full sun. We found the highest forage yield in June for B. brizantha cv. Xaráes, and the lowest yield in September for the same grass. During July and August, B. brizantha cv. Xaráes yielded the greatest average height, with the lowest values during April and May for B. brizantha cv. Marandú. The greatest dry matter content was recorded in September for B. brizantha cv. Xaráes. Additionally, the most senescent mass was recorded in June and the lowest in April for for the same grass. Native trees that persist in grasslands positively influence forage yield during the dry season. Increasing the productivity of the grasslands by agroforestry practices may represent a valuable alternative to mitigate the negative effects of deforestation caused by extensive livestock farming.
... The results mostly did not support this hypothesis in that cumulative total fodder biomass was only increased by including hedgerows and cutting them to 90 cm twice a year, but including hedgerows (cut or uncut) reduced cumulative grass biomass and including hedgerows that were never cut reduced cumulative total fodder biomass. The results corroborated those of other studies showing reduced grass production in silvopastoral systems (Rusch et al. 2014;Raj et al. 2016). The simplest explanation for the reduction of grass biomass in silvopastoral systems is that hedgerows reduce the amount of space for grasses to grow and compete with grasses for resources (Costa et al. 2016;. ...
Livestock production by smallholder farmers in southern Africa is often constrained by insufficient fodder during the dry season. The aim of this study was to determine if inclusion of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) hedgerows in Megathyrsus maximus ‘Gatton’ pastures could improve fodder production and nutritional yields, and to investigate effects of hedgerow cutting height on fodder production (including both browse and herbage). Treatments included three simulated silvopastoral systems with M. maximus planted between hedgerows, and one treatment that was M. maximus pasture alone. Hedgerows were cut at 60 or 90 cm above ground, or were uncut. Over the first two growing seasons, browse and grass fodder was harvested, dried and weighed four times. A portion of the fodder (comprising browse and herbage) was conserved in the second year and samples analysed for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) contents (%) and CP, phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) yields (kg ha−1). Hedgerows decreased cumulative grass biomass by 18.5%, but increased 1.22-fold the cumulative total fodder biomass when hedgerows were cut to 90 cm, compared to no hedgerows. Hedgerows had no effect on conserved grass herbage biomass (2.7 Mg ha−1 on average), but doubled biomass of conserved total fodder (5.0 Mg ha−1 on average) if hedgerows were cut. Cutting hedgerows increased CP, P and Zn yields, and increased CP and ADF contents, compared to not cutting them or not including them, while NDF was unaffected. Cutting hedgerows to 90 cm increased total browse production, compared to cutting to 60 cm. Pigeon pea seed biomass was unaffected by hedgerow cutting height (870 kg ha−1 on average). In conclusion, pigeon pea hedgerows included into grass pastures increase the quantity and quality of total fodder for livestock feed supplementation during the dry season.
... The traditional method for measuring grass yields is labor-intensive and time-consuming, and therefore impractical for large-scale application. Since the 1990s, researchers have estimated regional changes in grass yields or biomass using statistical models based on remotely sensed vegetation index data, calibrated against ground observed data (Li et al., 1998;Piao et al., 2007;Rusch et al., 2014;Atzberger et al., 2015;Wehlage et al., 2016). Similar approaches are also employed when evaluating drought effects on grazing conditions (Klisch and Atzberger, 2016) and more generally for agricultural yield and production forecasts (Rojas, 2007;Ren et al., 2008). ...
Qinghai Province is one of the four largest pastoral regions in China. Timely monitoring of grass growth and accurate estimation of grass yields are essential for its ecological protection and sustainable development. To estimate grass yields in Qinghai, we used the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) time-series data derived from the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and a pre-existing grassland type map. We developed five estimation approaches to quantify the overall accuracy by combining four data pre-processing techniques (original, Savitzky-Golay (SG), Asymmetry Gaussian (AG) and Double Logistic (DL)), three metrics derived from NDVI time series (VImax, VIseason and VImean) and four fitting functions (linear, second-degree polynomial, power function, and exponential function). The five approaches were investigated in terms of overall accuracy based on 556 ground survey samples in 2016. After assessment and evaluation, we applied the best estimation model in each approach to map the fresh grass yields over the entire Qinghai Province in 2016. Results indicated that: 1) For sample estimation, the cross-validated overall accuracies increased with the increasing flexibility in the chosen fitting variables, and the best estimation accuracy was obtained by the so called “fully flexible model” with R² of 0.57 and RMSE of 1140 kg/ha. 2) Exponential models generally outperformed linear and power models. 3) Although overall similar, strong local discrepancies were identified between the grass yield maps derived from the five approaches. In particular, the two most flexible modeling approaches were too sensitive to errors in the pre-existing grassland type map. This led to locally strong overestimations in the modeled grass yields.
... quinata and P. saman) or partial (C. grandis and G. ulmifolia) defoliation phenomena as a defense mechanism against the decrease in rainfall (Olivero-Lora, 2011, Rusch et al., 2014. The higher light income, as a result of the loss of leaves in some fruit and timber trees during the dry period, could stimulate the morphological plasticity of M. maximus, which resulted in a higher increase in the average height of the plant and width of the leaves in the p-Arbor, p-Arbust-Arbor and p-Arbust-Arbor-M arrangements. ...
This study aimed to compare the bromatological and structural behavior of Megathyrsus maximus (Poaceae) in four silvopastoral arrangement systems and a treeless meadow. Exclusion cages were used to evaluate four regrowth ages: 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. In each stage, the following variables were assessed: crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and in situ dry matter digestibility (bromatological), as well as plant height, leaf: stem ratio and leaf width (structural). Crude protein in M. maximus was affected by the silvopastoral arrangement (p < 0.05). The crude protein in the Pasto and p-Arbust treatments were 2.42 % lower compared to the means of the treatments p-Arbor, p-Arbust-Arbor, and p-Arbust-Arbor-M. The neutral (65.16 %) and acid (37.30 %) detergent fiber contents were higher in the dry season (p < 0.05). Regarding the structural response, treatment affected (p < 0.05) plant height, leaf: stem ratio and leaf width, with the highest values shown by p-Arbor (80.26 cm), Pasto (51.75:1 g), and p-Arbust-Arbor (2.73 cm), respectively. Interaction among age, season and arrangement was recorded (p < 0.05) in leaf height and width. In the silvopastoral arrangement system with tree cover, leaf height and width were higher at 28 regrowth days in the dry season, compared with the systems without trees. In conclusion, the silvopastoral arrangement system influenced the adaptative response of M. maximus, with an increase in crude protein and better response in leaf height and width.
... quinata y P. saman) o parcial (C. grandis y G. ulmifolia), como mecanismo de defensa ante la disminución de precipitaciones (Olivero-Lora, 2011;Rusch et al., 2014). El mayor ingreso de luz, producto de la pérdida de hojas de los árboles productores de frutos y maderables en el período seco, pudo estimular la plasticidad morfológica de M. maximus, lo que resultó en mayor incremento de altura media de la planta y ancho de la hoja en los arreglos p-Arbor, p-Arbust-Arbor y p-Arbust-Arbor-M. ...
El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar el comportamiento bromatológico y estructural de Megathyrsus maximus (Poaceae) bajo cuatro arreglos silvopastoriles y una pradera sin árboles. Se utilizaron jaulas de exclusión para evaluar cuatro edades de rebrote: 7, 14, 21 y 28 días. En cada edad, se registró la proteína cruda, fibra en detergente neutro, fibra en detergente ácido y digestibilidad in situ de la materia seca (bromatológico), así como altura de planta, relación hoja:tallo y ancho de la hoja (estructural). El arreglo silvopastoril afectó el contenido de proteína en M. maximus (p<0,05). El promedio de la proteína en los tratamientos Pasto y p-Arbust fue 2,42 % menor que el promedio de los tratamientos p-Arbor, p-Arbust-Arbor y p-Arbust-Arbor-M. Los contenidos de fibra en detergente neutro (65,16 %) y ácido (37,30%) fueron mayores en época seca (p < 0,05). En la respuesta estructural, el tratamiento afectó la altura, la relación hoja:tallo y ancho de la hoja (p < 0,05), con los mayores registros en p-Arbor (80,26 cm), Pasto (51,75:1 g) y p-Arbust-Arbor (2,73 cm), respectivamente. Se registró interacción de la edad, la época y el arreglo (p<0,05) en la altura y ancho de la hoja. En estas características, los arreglos silvopastoriles con cobertura arbórea evidenciaron una mejor respuesta en época seca a 28 días, comparado con los sistemas sin árboles. Se concluye que el arreglo silvopastoril influyó en la respuesta adaptativa de M. maximus, con incremento de proteína y mejor respuesta en alto y ancho de hoja.
... These results might be explained by the higher level of radiation that affects the Northern exposure ( Figure 3C y D), particularly in the hours close to noon, when the azimuthal angle of the sun causes the sun's rays to fall perpendicular to the alleys direction ( Figure 3A) (Pezzopane et al., 2015). However, in the area closest to the tree trunk, the effects of competition for water and radiation would seem to act together to determine the biomass production of the grasses ( Figure 4) (Casanova et al., 2007;Rusch et al., 2014). In the silvopastoral system integrated by Eucalyptus, despite the greater attenuation of the radiation in the Southern exposure ( Figure 3B), the average NAPP in both exposures reached 115grDM.m -2 . ...
This paper aims to identify the spatial and temporal distribution of net aerial primary production (NAPP) of oats and sorghum in silvopastoral systems (SPS) and in a treeless situation (TLS), in Southern Cordoba, Argentina. The silvopastoral systems are composed of three woody cultures (Pinus elliottii, Eucalyptus viminalis and Quercus robur), and two grass species (Avena sativa and Sorghum sudanense). NAPP of Avena sativa and Sorghum sudanense were lower in the silvopastoral systems than in the treeless situation. However, there were also differences in terms of NAPP according to the tree species, and these differences were related to the intensity of competition between trees and grasses. Pinus elliottii and Quercus robur were less competitive than Eucalyptus viminalis, which might be associated with their morphophysiological differences, their differential growth rate and their differences in terms of phenology. Finally, facilitation effects between trees and grasses were also identified under certain conditions.
... This land use type is usually the result of forest conversion to neotropical pasture with the preservation of selected trees (Guevara et al. 1986;Harvey and Haber 1998). Next to pasture for cattle raising, the scattered isolated trees provide shade to cattle, firewood, wood for construction, and fodder and fruits that are important to cattle in the dry season when grassland production stops (Manning et al. 2006;Ospina et al. 2012;Rusch et al. 2014). In addition, SPS may be a component of the terrestrial carbon sink by fixing CO 2 through photosynthesis into organic matter and the subsequent sequestration of organic matter in soil (Andrade et al. 2008;Ballantyne et al. 2012). ...
... In addition, SPS may be a component of the terrestrial carbon sink by fixing CO 2 through photosynthesis into organic matter and the subsequent sequestration of organic matter in soil (Andrade et al. 2008;Ballantyne et al. 2012). Moreover, the presence of trees in these pastures is likely to enhance soil C sequestration not only in the topsoil (Casals et al. 2014), but also in the subsoil due to bioturbation and turnover of tree roots (Haile et al. 2010). ...
... Attempts to increase pasture productivity and the need for wood has decreased the number of trees in SPS in the department of Rivas in south-west Nicaragua in recent decades. This has sparked a discussion on the role of trees for direct benefits to farmers like shade, firewood and fodder, but also on their role in the uptake of nutrients from deeper soil layers (Jobbágy and Jackson 2004), the distribution of nutrients through litter fall and effects on organic matter decomposition and carbon sequestration (Casals et al. 2014). Working in a Mediterranean Dehesa, Gallardo (2003) showed that isolated trees affect the spatial distribution of various nutrients, with for instance, P having a larger spatial range (beyond the canopy) as compared to N (within canopy projection). ...
Tree occurrence in silvopastoral systems of Central America has been under pressure for various reasons including attempts to improve grassland productivity and the need for wood. However, scattered isolated trees are also recognized to provide ecosystem services like shade, fodder and fruits that are important to cattle in the dry season. In addition, trees may enhance the climate change mitigation potential of silvopastoral systems through increased carbon (C) uptake and subsequent soil carbon sequestration. Through differences in plant traits like nutrient uptake, canopy structure and litter quality, tree species may have an effect on C and nutrient cycling. Due to a prevailing north-easterly wind in the study area, three distinct areas associated with the impact of tree litter deposition were identified: (1) open pasture—no tree litter deposition; (2) tree canopy—above and belowground tree litter; and (3) leaf litter cone—aboveground tree litter deposition. Furthermore, the effect of tree species, Guazuma ulmifolia and Crescentia alata, were considered. The presence of trees, as compared to pasture, caused larger topsoil C, N and P contents. In the subsoil, C content was also larger due to tree presence. Soil fractionation showed that tree-induced larger litter input subsequently increased free and occluded OM fractions and ultimately increased stabilized SOM fractions. Therefore, trees were found to enhance soil C sequestration in these silvopastoral systems. This is also supported by the soil respiration data. Although the respiration rates in the pasture subplots were lower than in the leaf litter subplots, the difference was not significant, which suggests that part of the extra C input to the leaf litter subplots stayed in the soil. Nutrient cycling was also enhanced by tree presence, but with a clear differentiation between species. C. alata (Jícaro) enhanced available and stabilized forms of organic N, while G. ulmifolia (Guácimo) enhanced available soil P and stabilized organic P.
... Forming fertility islands in pastures under silvopastoral management represents an opportunity to regain or maintain soil nutrients and indirectly increase the productivity of forage species. Some studies have reported an increase in forage productivity when using isolated trees in the field (Tiedemann and Klemmedson 1973;Treydte et al. 2008;Rusch et al. 2014). However, it would be appropriate to explore the interactions and ecophysiological responses of regionally adapted grasses when associated with V. pennatula and L. acapulcense, since these tree species are naturally associated in pastures and induced grasslands of our studied region. ...
Isolated trees in several ecosystems can contribute to the
accumulation of soil organic matter (SOM), carbon (C), and essential
nutrients such as nitrogen (N) in soil. We investigated the potential of
Lysiloma acapulcense (Kunth) Benth. and Vachellia pennatula (Schltdl.
& Cham.) Seigler & Ebinger to promote SOM, organic C, and nutrient
accumulation in pastures. Lysiloma acapulcense and V. pennatula
accumulated similar total N (3.5 and 3.2 mg g−1) but more than open
pasture (2.4 mg g−1), and total P (0.29 and 0.31 mg g−1) under their
canopies than in open pasture (0.21 mg g−1). Both species influence
processes that increase soil fertility but in different directions.
Lysiloma acapulcense seems to accumulate higher organic carbon
(100.6 mg g−1), SOM (17.3%), and NHþ
4 (10.0 mg kg−1) under its canopy
than in open pasture (73.2 mg g−1, 12.6%, and 6.4 mg kg−1, respectively).
V. pennatula is capable of reducing soil C:N and C:P ratios (27.6
and 285.3) compared to open pasture (31.3 and 362.7). Lysiloma
acapulcense seems to maintain soil processes that promote C storage,
which have as a consequence greater C and N retention, whereas V.
pennatula seems to maintain soil processes that promote greater
availability of P and N in soil. The species of L. acapulcense could be
used to improve soil structure in a context of management of dry
rangelands, whereas V. pennatula could be used to improve soil
nutrient retention in the same context. Including specific tree species
in dry ecosystems management could generate opportunities for
diversification of soil fertility strategies.
... The particular functional traits of individuals and populations can be scaled up to communities and ecosystems (D ıaz et al. 2004;Violle et al. 2007) through communityweighted mean values of a trait (henceforth, CWM) or the community aggregated trait, representing the dominant trait values in a community (Violle et al. 2007), and which is a good indicator of trait-environment relationships (Schellberg & Pontes 2012). Our case study area is dominated by Neotropical savannas and grasslands that experience pronounced rainfall seasonality; the temporal pattern of rainfall is the most important cause of resource supply variation in these systems, which is reflected in the pattern of herbaceous above-ground primary productivity in the area (Ospina et al. 2012;Rusch et al. 2014). There is also evidence of different species attaining dominance at different times of the growing period in similar savanna systems (Sarmiento 1984(Sarmiento , 1992. ...
... Although we used common indicators of soil fertility (mineral concentrations and soil texture), other soil factors may be better predictors of growth conditions. In particular, the soils in the area of the study have generally high clay content, low hydraulic conductivity and a tendency to seasonal water-logging, conditions which may override the importance of nutrient content as a limiting factor (Ospina et al. 2012;Rusch et al. 2014). Differences in the relative composition of major plant life forms among sites could also have been important in determining the differences in trait averages observed among plots. ...
Aim
To investigate changes in community‐level functional responses to rainfall seasonality in Neotropical grasslands through the analysis of community aggregated traits.
Location
Semi‐natural grasslands in the Río Grande de Matagalpa watershed, Nicaragua.
Methods
We measured 14 functional response traits that are indicators of plant resource‐use strategies, across 32 herbaceous and four woody species in eight permanent plots: leaf size, specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, leaf lifespan, foliar concentrations of P, N, Ca, K and Mg, plant height, lateral spread by clonal growth, root depth, start of flowering period and length of the period from flowering to seed shed. We calculated the community‐weighted means (CWM) with trait values weighted by species cover for five different paddocks 11 times (between 2 Jul 2007 and 26 May 2008), and grouped them into four periods according to rainfall seasonality: early rainy season, late rainy season, early dry season and late dry season.
Results
Community aggregated values of specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, leaf lifespan, foliar concentrations of P, N, Ca, K and Mg, length of the period from flowering to seed shed, and to a lesser extent lateral spread by clonal growth responded to temporal variations in rainfall, and corresponded to a considerable extent to expectations based on plant resource‐use strategies along resource supply gradients. Community aggregated values of specific leaf area and foliar nutrient concentration were higher in the rainy season than in the dry season, while we observed an opposite trend with leaf dry matter content and leaf lifespan.
Conclusions
Semi‐natural grasslands of central Nicaragua experience shifts in plant trait dominance that correspond with changes in resource supply given by rainfall seasonality, indicating that the stabilizing function of net primary productivity found in earlier studies can in part be a consequence of temporal differentiation in functional responses.
