Summary 1. Soil seed banks of 38 grassland sites in western Europe were sampled and species composition was determined. All differed geographical region, soil type intensity management. 2. Relationships between the bank, established vegetation, management parameters analysed using different ordination techniques. 3. Common bank extensively managed grasslands Juncus without septa, Plantago lanceolata, Holcus lanatus Cerastiumfontanum. General differences reflected country origin...

The feed quality of 34 species (27 dicotyledonous and 7 grasses) present in the vegetation Pyrenean mountain hay meadows rich subject to extensive management is analyzed this paper. For this, just before mowing, samples were taken field their organic mineral components determined laboratory. results indicate that some species, such as Taraxacum officinale, Sanguisorba minor, Chaerophyllum aureum, Lotus corniculatus, are outstanding forage value and, cases T. officinale C. also for content....

This study assessed the daily energy expenditure and activity of sheep in mountain pastures Pyrenees (Spain), using Global Positioning System (GPS) accelerometer data. Sheep traveled an average 9.6 km daily, due to locomotion was 3.20 MJ.day−1. Activity exhibited a bimodal grazing pattern, peaking early morning late afternoon, with reduced movement at midday night. Despite loss 0.65 points body condition score (BCS), most remained within optimal range. demonstrates substantial demands rugged...

The livestock sector can be a major contributor to the mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Within sector, beef production produces largest proportion sector’s direct objective this study was assess on-farm GHG emissions in semi-arid rangelands Argentina and identify relationship between current farm management practices. A survey recorded detailed information on characteristics. Assessments were based Intergovernmental Panel Climate Change (IPCC) Tier 2 protocols. identified using...

For centuries, mountain grasslands have been part of the grazing cycle sheep and cattle in extensive management systems Pyrenees; however, traditional guided herding has been, many cases, replaced by free-ranging flocks at these pastures. The goal this study was to analyze behavior pastures using GPS-based tracking Geographic Information Systems. During summer seasons 2019, 2020, 2021, a transterminant flock tracked with GPS devices attached collars Collarada (Central Pyrenees, Spain)....

Abstract Ruminant livestock depends primarily on forage and grazing resources from both natural pastures cultivated land. Low‐input large‐scale systems constitute a substantial part of what is termed High Nature Value farmland in Europe. Developing typology categories within region an important step understanding land uses that involve ruminant their use feed resources, appraising policy options. This study developed based the municipalities Aragon north‐east Spain basis for livestock. A...

In semi-natural mountain meadows, yield and forage quality must be reconciled with plant biodiversity conservation. This study was performed to analyze the relationships between these three parameters. To quantify pastoral value (PV), phytosociological inventories were in 104 meadows Central Spanish Pyrenees included Natura 2000 network. Forage yields calculated samples analyzed for relative feed (RFV). We identified two main types of meadows: (i) those that had “more intensive management,”...

Abstract Aims Sub‐alpine grassland ecosystems have some of the highest biodiversity in Europe and constitute high‐value natural resources. These grasslands are under threat because abandonment traditional agro‐pastoral activities subsequent invasion by woody species. In Central Pyrenees (Spain) several management techniques been used to stop expansion highly encroaching shrub Echinospartum horridum . However, ways which these affect recovery sub‐alpine poorly understood. The final goal this...

Abstract During 2017, we studied knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes towards brown bears by extensive mountain sheep farmers in the Western Pyrenees, using a structured questionnaire, specifically, whether scarce bear presence, or administrative region, was influential. Livestock raising practices are mainly family properties have suffered strong decline last decades. Despite its low abundance (only 2 individuals during study period area), there generalized negative attitude presence of...

In recent decades, the use of some subalpine mountain grasslands in Central Spanish Pyrenees has changed. Ski resorts have been developed and cattle herd management shifted from traditional "rotational-type" system which grazing are overseen by a herder to "continuous-type" that does not involve herder. 2005, locations 30 floristic inventories performed 1972 were revisited repeated two adjacent similar areas, although one had used for development ski runs other not. The objective was assess...

The uses of the agricultural surface hay meadows and crops mountain areas Spanish central Pyrenees are subject to constant transformations. This paper addresses changes produced in Ésera river valley (Spain) regarding agronomic topographic characteristics parcels between 1956–1986 1986–2016. cartographed area is 5226 hectares, which 1941 hectares correspond 6416 polygons that have been mowed or cultivated on one three reference dates. In period 1956–1986, there a reduction (13.59%) favor...

Seed bank strongly influences composition and structure of aboveground vegetation. Little attention has been paid to the role allelopathy driving soil seed dynamics, even though allelochemicals released by allelopathic plants might determine whether a species can or cannot germinate from and, therefore, co-exist in neighborhood species. Hence, effects on community organization through remain largely unknown. In this study, we assessed spatial heterogeneities caused presence plants, evaluated...

The studied farms are small family businesses, and so, in more than half of the cases, their continuity is not guaranteed. Livestock management typical a mountain system, which animals graze throughout year cultivated fields, sown meadows, forests near farms, pastures during three summer months. herds always have constant surveillance shepherd. Farmers consider current infrastructure present grasslands insufficient to facilitate care herd. Their activity conflicts with various species...

Three species of Microtus (voles) living in Pyrenean subalpine pastures brought seeds to the surface on vole mounds. This activity was studied learn about voles' influence seed composition and vegetation gap colonization. Twenty-two plant germinated from soil The dominated by graminoids-hemicryptophytes. Nearly half that occurred mounds are annual dicots able quickly colonize gaps complete their vegetative cycle before entry perennial plants. Mound revegetation occurs chiefly means...

In a context of global change, the mountains southern Europe have suffered in recent decades processes land abandonment, leading to loss cultural mosaic landscapes, with negative effects on ecological and economic sustainability agroecosystems. framework MIDMACC Project (LIFE18 CCA/ES/001099), landscape management measures adapt marginal areas Spanish mid-mountain impacts change been tested. this regard, experiences forest (thinning undergrowth scrub clearing) followed by grazing native...

The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is fundamental mitigate the effects of global climate change. Renewable power capacity increasing globally, and solar photovoltaic will be dominant source by 2050. Photovoltaic parks require great extensions land, usually in drylands. But both ecosystems created effect on are scarcely studied. This paper reviews current knowledge impact production arid semiarid describes structure functioning these novel ecosystems, including...

Soil nutrient availability in meadows has been poorly studied from the management point of view, despite its great impact. In this study, three different types have analysed, as follows: intensive meadows, with high livestock load and inorganic fertilization; semi-extensive medium organic extensive low fertilization rates. We looked at nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium carbon balances each meadow type during two years. Nitrogen was more stable due to form. contrast, showed higher nitrogen...