Grazing as a Management Tool in Mediterranean Pastures: A Meta-Analysis Based on A Literature Review

Abstract

The present study reviews the impact of mechanical interventions, and controlled burning combined with grazing in the Mediterranean-climate regions (MCRs) of the world. Relevant studies were searched for in the Web of Science database. Additional studies were located in the citations of these publications, and in a local database. Finally, 26 studies were included in this review. Since 1978, several other relevant studies have emerged at a rate of 24% in a 5-year time step. The studies have focused on the effects of combined grazing with other management tools on vegetation structure (18 publications), biomass productivity (16 publications), and floristic diversity (12 publications). The results were analyzed for (a) sites and treatments and (b) effects on plant structure, productivity and floristic diversity. Herbaceous forage increased after a reduction in shrub cover. Shrubs tended to recover in the grazed pastures. Vegetation height was reduced in almost in all cases according to available data. Despite its potential recovery, shrub biomass was affected by grazing in most cases. The impact of subsequent grazing was mixed regarding floristic diversity. Grazing is a useful tool for landscape management in MCRs, but the proper way to combine it with other interventions depends on the management goals.

Collaborative Monitoring of Plant Biodiversity and Research on Sweet Acorn Oaks within Paths of Knowledge and Sustainability Education

“…The management of this requires community participation [9] and awareness. It entails overcoming a purely utilitarian perspective, which affects the balance between profit and conservation, as seen in many studies [10,11], leading to increased animal rearing and loss of biodiversity because of overgrazing [12,13]. The presence of livestock farmers operating under conditions of equilibrium, without exceeding the carrying capacity of ecosystems [14], provides the opportunity to maintain the richness of biodiversity.…”