Intra and inter-annual climatic conditions have stronger effect than grazing intensity on root growth of permanent grasslands

Picon‐Cochard, Catherine; Vassal, Nathalie; Martin, Raphaël; Herfurth, Damien; Note, Priscilla; Louault, Frédérique

doi:10.24072/pcjournal.54

Cited by 1 publication

(3 citation statements)

References 59 publications

(80 reference statements)

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“…The absence of any effect of stocking intensity on SOC stocks is in accordance with previous studies (Herfurth et al, 2016; Picon‐Cochard et al, 2021; Wright et al, 2004). For instance, Herfurth et al (2016) found no differences after 7 years of varied grazing intensity on SOC stocks.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…López‐Mársico et al (2015) found increased BGB in grazed sites compared to ungrazed exclusion zones, while Picon‐Cochard et al (2021) found no differences but a large interannual variation of roots. Tall patches are basically comparable to grazing exclusions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, despite greater nutrient availability in soil under tall patches (Tonn et al, 2019; Wrage et al, 2012), survival under competition for light may pose an equally important environmental force for aboveground investment in tall patches as in short patches. Studies comparing grazed grassland with ungrazed exclusion zones are inconclusive in terms of effects on BGB (López‐Mársico et al, 2015; Picon‐Cochard et al, 2021). So far, there is no information on whether short and tall patch areas within a pasture differ in BGB and SOC stocks.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Soil organic carbon stocks and belowground biomass in patches in heterogeneous grassland

Komainda,

Mohn,

Kajzrová

et al. 2023

Grassland Research

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BackgroundSelective grazing creates stable patches of contrasting sward height, thereby providing different growth conditions for the grass sward above and below ground and potentially affecting soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. We hypothesized that the presence of patches leads to greater spatial variability in belowground biomass (BGB) and SOC stocks than occurs between pastures managed under different stocking intensities.MethodsA long‐term grazing experiment consisting of three stocking intensities was used for this study. We studied BGB, SOC, and soil total nitrogen (Ntot) stocks in the 0–15 cm soil depth. Shannon diversity of plant species, soil bulk density, soil phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium contents were considered.ResultsThere were no significant effects of patch or stocking intensity on BGB, SOC, and Ntot stocks. Short patches had a greater Shannon diversity than tall patches (p < 0.05) and plant‐available nutrients in soil correlated positively with sward height (p < 0.05).ConclusionsWe conclude from the current results and previous studies that higher plant species diversity with lower soil nutrient contents in short‐patch areas and higher nutrient contents together with light competition in tall‐patch areas might balance each other out with respect to BGB and SOC stocks.

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