Pasture and livestock management effects on soil quality indicators in a dehesa of Extremadura

Abstract

Dehesa (montado in Portugal) is an example of sustainable use of resources that may be jeopardized by improper grazing practices. This work analyzes the impact of pasture improvement and livestock management on soil quality indicators. Two plots S+ and S were studied where sowing of leguminous grasses was carried out (in 2006 (S+) and in 2016 (S)) and had regenerative grazing. Other plot S- (control) not improved by sowing legumes and with conventional rotational grazing, and finally simulating abandonment, (A) a plot where there was no pasture improvement and also has not had livestock exploitation for 8 years. The soil biochemical study indicated a higher activity in the improved plots with regenerative grazing compared to the abandoned plot. The relationships established between the indicators studied with the most important physical-chemical parameters, from the point of view of soil fertility, demonstrated the dependence of nutrient content on microbial activity and vice versa. This study has shown that the abandonment of pastures without livestock use can result in a loss of soil fertility and a consequent decrease in the associated microbial activity.