An alternative rotational stocking management designed to favour butterflies in permanent grasslands

Published source details Farruggia A., Dumont B., Scohier A., Leroy T., Pradel P. & Garel J. (2012) An alternative rotational stocking management designed to favour butterflies in permanent grasslands. Grass and Forage Science, 67, 136-149.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

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	Use rotational grazing Action Link

Use rotational grazing

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2005–2008 in six pastures in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France (Farruggia et al, 2012) found that, at high, but not low, stocking density, pastures cattle-grazed in rotation with one area left ungrazed for two months had higher butterfly species richness and abundance than constantly stocked areas. At high cattle stocking density, rotational pastures had higher butterfly species richness (7) and abundance (22) than constantly stocked pastures (richness: 4; abundance: 8), but at low stocking density there was no difference between rotational (richness: 6; abundance: 17) or constant pastures (richness: 5; abundance: 13). Within rotationally grazed pastures, at both high and low stocking the ungrazed sub-plot had higher butterfly species richness (4–5) and abundance (10–13) than three grazed sub-plots (richness: 2–4; abundance: 3–5). Within an 80-ha mountain pasture, two grazing treatments (each replicated three times) were compared: cows grazing on rotation around four sub-plots, with one plot being left ungrazed early June–early August, and constant grazing across the whole plot. Plots were grazed at a high stocking rate (1.6 livestock units/ha) from late May–late September 2005–2006 and at a low rate (1.2 livestock units/ha) from late May–mid- or late October 2007–2008. Butterflies and burnet moths were counted twice annually along 50-m walking transects in July and/or August. There was one transect/rotational sub-plot and three transects overall/constant grazing plot.

(Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)