Sensing and Mapping the Effects of Cow Trampling on the Soil Compaction of the Montado Mediterranean Ecosystem

Abstract

The economic and environmental sustainability of extensive livestock production systems requires the optimisation of soil management, pasture production and animal grazing. Soil compaction is generally viewed as an indicator of soil degradation processes and a determinant factor in crop productivity. In the Montado silvopastoral ecosystem, characteristic of the Iberian Peninsula, animal trampling is mentioned as a variable to consider in soil compaction. This study aims: (i) to assess the spatial variation in the compaction profile of the 0–0.30 m deep soil layer over several years; (ii) to evaluate the effect of animal trampling on soil compaction; and (iii) to demonstrate the utility of combining various technological tools for sensing and mapping indicators of soil characteristics (Cone Index, CI; and apparent electrical conductivity, ECa), of pastures’ vegetative vigour (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index, NDVI) and of cows’ grazing zones (Global Positioning Systems, GPS collars). The significant correlation between CI, soil moisture content (SMC) and ECa and between ECa and soil clay content shows the potential of using these expedient tools provided by the development of Precision Agriculture. The compaction resulting from animal trampling was significant outside the tree canopy (OTC) in the four evaluated dates and in the three soil layers considered (0–0.10 m; 0.10–0.20 m; 0.20–0.30 m). However, under the tree canopy (UTC), the effect of animal trampling was significant only in the 0–0.10 m soil layer and in three of the four dates, with a tendency for a greater CI at greater depths (0.10–0.30 m), in zones with a lower animal presence. These results suggest that this could be a dynamic process, with recovery cycles in the face of grazing management, seasonal fluctuations in soil moisture or spatial variation in specific soil characteristics (namely clay contents). The NDVI shows potential for monitoring the effect of livestock trampling during the peak spring production phase, with greater vigour in areas with less animal trampling. These results provide good perspectives for future studies that allow the calibration and validation of these tools to support the decision-making process of the agricultural manager.

Modeling and quantification of soil compaction promoted by animal trampling in an integrated crop–livestock system

“…Our results highlight the low impact of livestock on soil structure in this ICL modality, where animal grazing occurs in the off-season, although there is a risk of soil compaction when grazing extends into the rainy season. According to Jordon (2021), the hoof pressures applied by steers at an age equivalent to those in the present study can vary from 200 to 280 kPa [reaching 350-400 kPa in adult animals (Serrano et al, 2023)]. This value doubles when the animals are in motion.…”

Sustainability of the Extensive Livestock Production: The Role of Precision Agriculture in Mediterranean Montado Ecosystem

“…For the statistical analysis, only two classes were considered: the "High-High cluster" (a statistically significant cluster of high values), and the "Low-Low cluster" (a statistically significant cluster of low values). Our results show a systematic trend of a greater CI in areas with "high" livestock trampling, compared to areas with "low" livestock trampling [10].…”

Visual evaluation of soil structure is a reliable method to detect changes in the soil quality of Colombian Amazon pasturelands

“…In pastures, the soil exhibited low porosity and angular aggregates with limited root presence, likely due to long periods of overgrazing. The trampling of cattle directly impacts the top layer of the soil, negatively affecting its structure and the plant root growth and heightening the susceptibility to soil erosion processes (Dias Batista et al., 2020; Mulholland & Fullen, 1991; Serrano et al., 2023).…”