Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
4
Enhancing Soil and
Landscape Quality
in Smallholder
Grazing Systems
Jean L. Steiner, Alan J. Franzluebbers,
Constance Neely, Tim Ellis, and Ermias Aynekulu
CONTENTS
4.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................64
4.1.1 Global Importance of Grazing Systems .............................................64
4.1.2 Smallholder Grazing Systems ............................................................ 68
4.1.3 Soil-Plant-Animal-Environmental Linkages in Grazing Systems ... 69
4.2 Grazing Impacts on Soil Quality .................................................................... 72
4.2.1 Soil Organic Matter ............................................................................ 73
4.2.2 Soil Biota and Biological Activity ...................................................... 81
4.2.3 Soil Density and Crusting ................................................................... 85
4.2.4 Runoff and Soil Erosion ..................................................................... 88
4.2.5 Spatial Patterns Related to Animal Behavior ..................................... 89
4.3 Management Practices and Strategies for Sustainability ............................... 90
4.3.1 Extensive Grazing Systems ................................................................ 90
4.3.1.1 Fire ....................................................................................... 90
4.3.1.2 Grazing Management ........................................................... 92
4.3.2 Pasture Systems .................................................................................. 95
4.3.3 Crop-Livestock Systems .................................................................... 95
4.4 Policy Options to Enhance Grassland Ecosystem Sustainability ................... 97
4.5 Summary ........................................................................................................ 99
Acknowledgment ..................................................................................................... 99
References .............................................................................................................. 100
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