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Effect of Grazing System on Grassland Plant Species Richness and Vegetation Characteristics: Comparing Horse and Cattle Grazing

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  • Anja Schmitz

    (Department of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany)

  • Johannes Isselstein

    (Department of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
    Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use, University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany)

Abstract

Horses are of increasing relevance in agriculturally managed grasslands across Europe. There is concern to what extent grazing with horses is a sustainable grassland management practice. The effect of longer-term horse grazing on the vegetation characteristics of grasslands has received little attention, especially in comparison to grazing cattle. Our study analyses the relative importance of grazing system (grazer species and regime) and grassland management for vegetation characteristics in grasslands as indicator for sustainable management. We monitored grassland vegetation in western central Germany and compared paddocks grazed by horses under two different regimes, continuous (HC) vs. rotational (HR), to paddocks grazed by cattle (C) under similar trophic site conditions. We observed more plant species and more High Nature Value indicator species on HC compared to C. The vegetation of C was more grazing tolerant and had higher forage value than HC. Regardless of the grazing regime, the competitive component was lower, the stress-tolerant component higher and the floristic contrast between patch-types stronger on HC and HR paddocks compared to C. Species richness was strongly influenced by the extent of the floristic contrast. Our results emphasize the potential of horse grazing for biodiversity in agriculturally managed grasslands.

Suggested Citation

  • Anja Schmitz & Johannes Isselstein, 2020. "Effect of Grazing System on Grassland Plant Species Richness and Vegetation Characteristics: Comparing Horse and Cattle Grazing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:8:p:3300-:d:347345
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Markku Saastamoinen & Iryna Herzon & Susanna Särkijärvi & Catherine Schreurs & Marianna Myllymäki, 2017. "Horse Welfare and Natural Values on Semi-Natural and Extensive Pastures in Finland: Synergies and Trade-Offs," Land, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-20, October.
    2. Sofía Basto & Ken Thompson & Gareth Phoenix & Victoria Sloan & Jonathan Leake & Mark Rees, 2015. "Long-term nitrogen deposition depletes grassland seed banks," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-6, May.
    3. David Kleijn & Frank Berendse & Ruben Smit & Niels Gilissen, 2001. "Agri-environment schemes do not effectively protect biodiversity in Dutch agricultural landscapes," Nature, Nature, vol. 413(6857), pages 723-725, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Cecilia Frauke Hüppe & Anja Schmitz & Bettina Tonn & Johannes Isselstein, 2020. "The Role of Socio-Economic Determinants of Horse Farms for Grassland Management, Vegetation Composition and Ecological Value," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Richard Orozco & María Rosa Mosquera-Losada & Javier Rodriguez & Muluken Elias Adamseged & Philipp Grundmann, 2021. "Supportive Business Environments to Develop Grass Bioeconomy in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-16, November.
    3. Miriam Baumgartner & Sandra Kuhnke & Kurt-Jürgen Hülsbergen & Michael H. Erhard & Margit H. Zeitler-Feicht, 2021. "Improving Horse Welfare and Environmental Sustainability in Horse Husbandry: Linkage between Turnout and Nitrogen Surplus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-16, August.

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