Impact of sheep grazing on nutrient budgets of dry heathlands
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Published source details
Fottner S., Härdtle W, Niemeyer M, Niemeyer T., von Oheimb G., Meyer H & Mockenhaupt M (2007) Impact of sheep grazing on nutrient budgets of dry heathlands. Applied Vegetation Science, 10, 391-398.
Published source details Fottner S., Härdtle W, Niemeyer M, Niemeyer T., von Oheimb G., Meyer H & Mockenhaupt M (2007) Impact of sheep grazing on nutrient budgets of dry heathlands. Applied Vegetation Science, 10, 391-398.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Use fences to exclude livestock from shrublands Action Link |
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Use fences to exclude livestock from shrublands
A replicated, controlled, randomized study in 2001–2002 in a heathland in Germany (Fottner et al. 2007) found that using fences to exclude sheep increased the biomass of heather Calluna vulgaris and wavy hair grass Deschampsia flexuosa. After 1 year, the biomass of heather was higher in plots that had been fenced (8,270 kg/ha) than in unfenced plots (6,259 kg/ha). Similarly, the biomass of wavy hair-grass was higher in plots that had been fenced (404 kg/ha) than in unfenced plots (303 kg/ha). In 2001 forty 2 m2 plots were randomly located in the heathland. Plots were divided in two with one half fenced and the other left open to grazing sheep. In 2002 plants were harvested from plots, then air dried and weighed to estimate biomass.
(Summarised by: Phil Martin)
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