Free-range grazing by large herbivores in degraded large-scale dry sandy grassland-heathland ecosystems

Authors

  • René Seifert Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Department for Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning, D-06406 Bernburg, Germany
  • Antje Lorenz Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Department for Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning, D-06406 Bernburg, Germany
  • Susanne Osterloh Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Department for Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning, D-06406 Bernburg, Germany
  • Katrin Henning Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Department for Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning, D-06406 Bernburg, Germany
  • Sabine Tischew Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Department for Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning, D-06406 Bernburg, Germany

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/EQ.2015.015

Keywords

year-round grazing, cattle / horses, habitat quality, foraging behaviour, Prunus serotina

Abstract

Free-range grazing by large herbivores combined with one-time mowing of over-aged heathlands offers an excellent management tool to maintain and enhance biodiversity in degraded large scale, low productive, semi-open dry sandy grassland-heathland ecosystems. Grazing improves habitat quality, supports typical species communities and represses invasive species.

References

Bakker J.P., Berendse F., 1999, Constraints in the restoration of ecological diversity in grassland and heathland communities, Tree, 14: 63–68.

Bakker J.P., Van Diggelen R., Bekker R.M. & Marrs R.H., 2012, Restoration of Dry Grasslands and Heathlands, [in:] J. van Andel, J. Aronson (eds) Restoration Ecology: The New Frontier, Blackwell Publishing: 173–188.

Bokdam J., Gleichnam J.M., 2000, Effects of grazing by free-ranging cattle on vegetation dynamics in a continental north-west European heathland, Journal of Applied Ecology, 37: 415–431.

Härdtle W., Niemeyer M., Niemeyer T., Assmann T. & Fottner S., 2006, Can management compensate for atmospheric nutrient deposition in heathland ecosystems?, Journal of Applied Ecology, 43: 759–769.

Jakobs J., 1974, Quantitative Measurement of Food Selection, A Modification of the Forage Ratio and Ivlev`s Electivity Index, Oecologia, 14: 413–417.

Lorenz A., Tischew S., Osterloh S., Felinks B., 2013, Konzept für maßnahmenbegleitende naturschutzfachliche Erfolgskontrollen in großen Projektgebieten, Naturschutz und Landschaftsplanung 45: 365–372.

ÖKO & PLAN, 2013, Naturschutzfachliche Erfolgskontrolle von Managementmaßnahmen zum Erhalt und zur Entwicklung von FFH-Offenlandlebensraumtypen im NATURA 2000 Gebiet „Mittlere Oranienbaumer Heide“, Teil Brutvögel. Studie im Auftrag der Hochschule Anhalt, gefördert über ELER Sachsen-Anhalt, Az: 407.1.7–60128/323011000001.

Schwabe A., Süss K. & Storm C., 2013, What are the longterm effects of livestock grazing in steppic sandy grassland with high conservation value? Results from a 12- year field study, Tuexenia, 33: 189–212.

Vanhellemont M., 2009, Present and future population dynamics of Prunus serotina in forests in its introduced range, PhD thesis, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.

Ecological Questions

Downloads

Published

2014-07-14

How to Cite

1.
SEIFERT, René, LORENZ, Antje, OSTERLOH, Susanne, HENNING, Katrin and TISCHEW, Sabine. Free-range grazing by large herbivores in degraded large-scale dry sandy grassland-heathland ecosystems. Ecological Questions. Online. 14 July 2014. Vol. 21, pp. 87-89. [Accessed 5 July 2025]. DOI 10.12775/EQ.2015.015.

Issue

Vol. 21 (2015)

Section

Articles

Stats

Number of views and downloads: 845
Number of citations: 3