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Agronomy
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Diversified Grasslands and Rangeland Systems: Conservation and Sustainable Use
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Diversified Grasslands and Rangeland Systems: Conservation and Sustainable Use

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Grassland and Pasture Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 February 2022) | Viewed by 12780

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Karoly Penksza

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agrobotany, Institute of Crop Production, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Science, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
Interests: grasslands; pastures; vegetation mapping; habitat mapping; weed tests; soil-plant correlation studies; landscape ecological research; nature conservation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Grasslands are the largest biomes in the world, covering over 40% of the Earth’s terrestrial land surface. Despite their importance in the sustainment of landscape-scale biodiversity, vast areas of grassland have been lost due to conversion to croplands, agricultural intensification, and overexploitation. Worldwide, grasslands and rangelands contribute to the livelihoods of more than two billion people and provide forage for nearly 600 million sheep and goats and 360 million cattle. The conservation of biodiversity and sustainable management of grasslands have become increasingly important tasks. It is essential to explore various environmental factors that sustain healthy grassland communities and to understand the ecological mechanisms and functions that drive their biodiversity and management of in situ gene conservation. Multifunctionality should be the foundation of every approach, ranging from conservation management to agricultural purposes. Undergrazing is rarely discussed but is also undesirable, as wasted good quality forage is a valuable asset. Protecting species-rich grasslands is also important in order to save precious traits and natural beauty. Proper management plans needed for pasture-based quality meat and milk have primary demands besides nature conservation efforts.

This Special Issue presents several solutions and ideas to maintain the balance between economic interests and sustainability. In this spirit, studies on hay quality and pricing or silvopastoral trials highlight the agronomic alternatives. For this Special Issue, we seek case studies covering the management, conservation, and restoration of grasslands and rangelands all over the world in order to provide reliable information for sustainable management and biodiversity conservation.

Dr. Karoly Penksza
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • grazing methods
  • hay quality
  • sustainability
  • agronomical alternatives
  • ecosystem services

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 3842 KiB  
Article
Investigation of Carbon-Dioxide-Emissions from Underutilized Grassland between 2019 and 2020
by Krisztina Varga, András Halász, Gergő Péter Kovács and István Csízi
Agronomy 2022, 12(4), 931; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12040931 - 13 Apr 2022
Viewed by 1425
Abstract
Climate change-induced extreme changes are making phytomass yields of extensive grasslands in continental areas increasingly dependent on the season. This situation is exacerbated, inter alia, by the decline in grazing livestock production due to a lack of quality labour, and thus by an [...] Read more.
Climate change-induced extreme changes are making phytomass yields of extensive grasslands in continental areas increasingly dependent on the season. This situation is exacerbated, inter alia, by the decline in grazing livestock production due to a lack of quality labour, and thus by an increase in the proportion of unused or under-utilised grassland. In our experiments, we have refined the effects of a decade of unused/abandonment, mulch, mowing and meadow utilisation on carbon emissions, soil moisture and soil temperature during two different types of years. We found that unused/abandonment grassland with accumulated duff in the absence of utilization had the highest carbon dioxide emission values in different years, even at lower soil moisture values. Our results confirm the fact that fallow grasslands can be considered a source of risk due to their increased greenhouse gas emissions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversified Grasslands and Rangeland Systems: Conservation and Sustainable Use)
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20 pages, 4288 KiB  
Article
Green Corridors May Sustain Habitats for Earthworms in A Partially Converted Grassland
by Barbara Simon, Krisztina Boziné Pullai, Dóra Selmeczi, András Sebők, Franciska Tóthné Bogdányi, Tsedekech G. Weldmichael, Mihály Zalai, Justine Phenson Nsima and Ferenc Tóth
Agronomy 2022, 12(4), 793; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12040793 - 25 Mar 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1967
Abstract
Permanent grasslands provide a healthy and undisturbed environment. We investigated how mulching altered the soil physicochemical parameters, earthworm abundance, biomass, species composition and vegetation cover compared to grassland and cultivated alfalfa field. Microplots (2 × 2 m) were mulched with either weed control [...] Read more.
Permanent grasslands provide a healthy and undisturbed environment. We investigated how mulching altered the soil physicochemical parameters, earthworm abundance, biomass, species composition and vegetation cover compared to grassland and cultivated alfalfa field. Microplots (2 × 2 m) were mulched with either weed control fabric (WF) alone or WF combined with straw (WF + S) on a grassland to grow tomato in Ősagárd (Nógrád county, Hungary) between 2018 and 2021. We had two other microhabitats: a conventionally cultivated alfalfa field (CA) and grassland (GR). We measured soil parameters (physical: soil moisture content (SMC), soil penetration resistance (SPR); chemical: pH, soil organic matter; and biological: earthworm abundance, biomass, species composition and vegetation). SMC was significantly higher on covered plots (WF; WF + S) compared to CA and GR. SPR values were the highest in CA and GR at 20 cm depth. The abundance and biomass of earthworms were the highest in GR and lowest in CA in all seasons. Plant abundance was highly influenced by season and habitat. Despite the higher compaction and lower SMC figures, grass vegetation still provided a more suitable environment for earthworms than mulched plots (WF, WF + S). Therefore, where there is agricultural production on grassland, we suggest leaving uncultivated and uncovered patches as biodiversity corridors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversified Grasslands and Rangeland Systems: Conservation and Sustainable Use)
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22 pages, 4901 KiB  
Article
Investigation of the Secondary Succession of Abandoned Areas from Different Cultivation in the Pannonian Biogeographic Region
by Orsolya Szirmai, Dénes Saláta, Lajos Krisztián Benedek and Szilárd Czóbel
Agronomy 2022, 12(4), 773; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12040773 - 23 Mar 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2030
Abstract
Areas abandoned for various reasons are widespread on Earth, with a significant proportion in some regions of Europe. Our knowledge of vegetation dynamics in abandoned lands is incomplete, in part because research comparing types abandoned from different cultivars is limited. This paper compared [...] Read more.
Areas abandoned for various reasons are widespread on Earth, with a significant proportion in some regions of Europe. Our knowledge of vegetation dynamics in abandoned lands is incomplete, in part because research comparing types abandoned from different cultivars is limited. This paper compared the textural and structural changes of previously extensively treated vineyards, arables, and grasslands over a 30-year timescale in secondary succession studies. Based on the botanical surveys, it can be said that the total species number and diversity of abandoned vineyards and arable lands did not increase linearly in the four age groups studied. The way of secondary succession of former vineyards and arable lands showed many similarities. In these types, rapid regeneration of natural vegetation can be observed, the rate of which can only be reduced by the abundance of a few strong competitor species. However, the abandonment of extensively grazed and mowed grasslands has reduced species numbers and diversity, which may reduce the resilience of such grasslands to environmental factors. In abandoned lands, the mosaic landscape and previous extensive small-plot farming appear to have a positive effect on the rate of secondary succession and regeneration, as the species-rich vegetation patches provide a suitable propagule source for regeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversified Grasslands and Rangeland Systems: Conservation and Sustainable Use)
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13 pages, 1587 KiB  
Article
Study of Forage Quality of Grasslands on the Southern Margin of the Pannonian Basin
by Andraž Čarni, Mirjana Ćuk, Daniel Krstonošić and Željko Škvorc
Agronomy 2021, 11(11), 2132; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11112132 - 25 Oct 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1647
Abstract
Since grasslands provide many ecosystem services, there are often different opinions on their management (e.g., agronomy, ecology, botany). Multidisciplinary research on this topic is therefore needed. This article focuses on the impact of ecological conditions, functional groups, ecological strategies, floristic composition (through habitat [...] Read more.
Since grasslands provide many ecosystem services, there are often different opinions on their management (e.g., agronomy, ecology, botany). Multidisciplinary research on this topic is therefore needed. This article focuses on the impact of ecological conditions, functional groups, ecological strategies, floristic composition (through habitat preference of species), major floristic gradients (presented as first two NMDS axes), and the management on forage quality. We estimated the forage quality using indicator values. All of the available vegetation plots in the region on wet and mesic meadows, managed pastures, and tall-herb meadow/pasture fringes on deeper or shallower soils (i.e., grasslands) were collected, organized in a database, and elaborated according to standard procedure. We used a widely accepted grassland classification system that uses floristic composition to define grassland types. Based on an NMDS ordination diagram and according to functional groups, ecological strategies, and habitat preferences (behavior of species) and management, we defined three major groups: mesic meadows (mowed), wet meadows (mowed), and pastures (grazed). We correlated all groups’ functional groups, ecological strategies, habitat preferences (behavior of species), major floristic gradients, management, and forage quality. We found that forage quality mainly depends on moisture conditions and that nutrients and grazing are less important. Within the grasslands under consideration, mesic meadows and mesic pastures have the highest forage quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversified Grasslands and Rangeland Systems: Conservation and Sustainable Use)
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23 pages, 14423 KiB  
Article
Spatial Distribution of Available Trace Metals in Four Typical Mediterranean Soils: The Caia Irrigation Perimeter Case Study
by José Telo da Gama, Luis Loures, António López-Piñeiro and José Rato Nunes
Agronomy 2021, 11(10), 2024; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11102024 - 09 Oct 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1222
Abstract
There is a small sample of edaphic geochemistry studies over large geographic areas, especially studies that consider major reference soil groups (RSG) that evaluate both native concentrations of elements and anthropogenically contaminated soils in agricultural settings, considering the long-term effect of agricultural practices [...] Read more.
There is a small sample of edaphic geochemistry studies over large geographic areas, especially studies that consider major reference soil groups (RSG) that evaluate both native concentrations of elements and anthropogenically contaminated soils in agricultural settings, considering the long-term effect of agricultural practices on landscape sustainability. In this study, four RSGs were analyzed for the available trace elements Ni, Cr, Cd, Pb, Cu, Mn, and Zn, including other edaphic properties from 2002 to 2012. The main objectives were to assess the range of concentrations of the selected elements in the four typical Mediterranean soils, Cambisols, Luvisols, Calcisols, and Fluvisols, with heavy anthropogenic input (HAI) and compare them to minimal anthropogenic input (MAI). For MAI, the background levels of Pb, Ni, Cd, and Cr were highest in Calcisols, differing from those of Cambisols, Luvisols, and Fluvisols (p < 0.01), Cu is highest both in Calcisols and Luvisols while Mn is higher in Cambisols and Fluvisols (p < 0.05). The background concentration of Zn was the same in all RSGs (p > 0.05). For HAI, the reference levels of Pb, Ni, Cd, Mn, and Cr were highest in the Calcisols, and Cu was high in all RSGs except Fluvisols, while Zn presented the lowest concentrations in the Luvisol RSG, with all these results considering a confidence interval of 95%. Predictive maps for the sampled elements, as well as the edaphic bioavailability, are provided. This environmental impact assessment suggests that the land use is departing from sustainable ecosystem service development and that territorial management practices, with conservation goals in mind, should be adopted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversified Grasslands and Rangeland Systems: Conservation and Sustainable Use)
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12 pages, 26662 KiB  
Article
Standing Vegetation Exceeds Soil Microbial Communities in Soil Type Indication: A Procrustes Test of Four Salt-Affected Pastures
by Péter Csontos, Márton Mucsi, Péter Ragályi, Júlia Tamás, Tibor Kalapos, Gergely Pápay, Ákos Mjazovszky, Károly Penksza and Tibor Szili-Kovács
Agronomy 2021, 11(8), 1652; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11081652 - 19 Aug 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1693
Abstract
Organisms with different life histories are able to act as indicators of different characteristics of their environment. Here, we compared the precision of habitat indication by the vegetation and soil microbial communities in four salt-affected pastures: annual open salt sward, Pannonic Puccinellia limosa [...] Read more.
Organisms with different life histories are able to act as indicators of different characteristics of their environment. Here, we compared the precision of habitat indication by the vegetation and soil microbial communities in four salt-affected pastures: annual open salt sward, Pannonic Puccinellia limosa hollow, Artemisia saline puszta and grassy saline puszta. Dissimilarity of habitats was evaluated by standardized principal component analysis (PCA) based on four different datasets: catabolic profiles of microbial communities in June (a) and September (b), composition of vascular vegetation (c) and physical and chemical properties of the soil (d). Procrustes analysis was used to quantify the resemblance between pairs of PCA ordinations based on soil properties (d) and various biotic communities (a, b, c). PCA ordination based on vegetation most closely matched the soil data-based ordination, thus vegetation appears to better indicate habitat conditions than soil microbial communities do. For microbial communities, a better agreement with the soil data-based ordination was reached in September than in June. Most probably, the long-lived sedentary habit of perennial plants in these communities requires adaptation to long-term average habitat conditions. In contrast, short-lived soil microbes can quickly follow environmental changes, thus the composition of soil microbial communities better reflect actual soil conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversified Grasslands and Rangeland Systems: Conservation and Sustainable Use)
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12 pages, 6993 KiB  
Article
Minor Treatments Can Play a Significant Role in Preserving Natural Habitats and Protected Species on the Shore of a Central European Lake
by Bence Fülöp, Bálint Pacsai and Judit Bódis
Agronomy 2021, 11(8), 1540; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11081540 - 31 Jul 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1561
Abstract
Semi-natural grasslands were previously established through traditional land use and maintained by active management, but their extension nowadays is declining rapidly, particularly in areas that also have tourism potential. In parallel, the conservation value of the remaining areas is increasing. The shore of [...] Read more.
Semi-natural grasslands were previously established through traditional land use and maintained by active management, but their extension nowadays is declining rapidly, particularly in areas that also have tourism potential. In parallel, the conservation value of the remaining areas is increasing. The shore of Lake Balaton is a particularly good example, as Lake Balaton is an area highly affected by tourism, yet there have been valuable habitats able to survive and provide refuge for many vulnerable, protected species. Fortunately, we have reliable information about the vegetation of the area from two decades ago. Comparing these data with our recent surveys we investigated the changes in habitats and the distribution of protected plant species in connection with the active conservation treatments such as grazing or cutting. Our results show that in areas where treatments are still ongoing, protected plant species are more likely to survive, or even other species can appear, which is in clear contrast with conditions experienced in abandoned areas, where at least seven protected species have disappeared. According to our results, minor, but appropriately chosen and well-executed management interventions, can help in the long-term maintenance of species-rich habitats and improving the conservation status of threatened species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversified Grasslands and Rangeland Systems: Conservation and Sustainable Use)
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