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Floristic Composition: Dynamic Biodiversity Indicator of Tree Canopy Effect on Dryland and Improved Mediterranean Pastures

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  • João Serrano

    (MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada (IIFA), University of Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal)

  • Shakib Shahidian

    (MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada (IIFA), University of Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal)

  • Eliana Machado

    (MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada (IIFA), University of Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal)

  • Luís L. Paniagua

    (Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida Adolfo Suárez, S/N, 06007 Badajoz, Spain)

  • Emanuel Carreira

    (MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada (IIFA), University of Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal)

  • Francisco Moral

    (Departamento de Expresión Gráfica, Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas, S/N, 06006 Badajoz, Spain)

  • Alfredo Pereira

    (MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada (IIFA), University of Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal)

  • Mário de Carvalho

    (MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada (IIFA), University of Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal)

Abstract

Montado is a characteristic ecosystem of the Mediterranean region. The adequate management of this silvo-pastoral ecosystem requires good understanding of the effect of factors such as tree canopy, fertilization and soil amendment on pasture growth. The main objectives of this work were: (1) to evaluate the effect of tree canopy on soil characteristics and pasture productivity and quality; and (2) to test floristic composition assessment as a bio-indicator of soil improvements (amendment and fertilization) in each study area (under and outside tree canopy). Topsoil was characterized at the beginning of the project (October 2015) and at the end of the experiments (spring 2020). Soil parameters obtained by electronic sensors (soil moisture content, soil cone index and surface temperature) were monitored monthly during the 2017/2018 pasture vegetative cycle. Pasture productivity, quality and floristic composition were evaluated every two years (2016, 2018 and 2020) in the spring flowering period. The results of the floristic inventory were submitted to a multilevel pattern analysis (Indicator Species Analysis, ISA). Pasture biodiversity was evaluated based on the calculation of richness indices. This study showed a positive effect of tree canopy on soil fertility and pasture quality (e.g., CP). Pasture productivity, on the other hand, was higher in areas outside tree canopy. The great potential of ISA as a tool for identification of bio-indicator species was also demonstrated. Pasture species were identified as ecological and dynamic attributes characteristic of each study area, before and after soil amendment and fertilization.

Suggested Citation

  • João Serrano & Shakib Shahidian & Eliana Machado & Luís L. Paniagua & Emanuel Carreira & Francisco Moral & Alfredo Pereira & Mário de Carvalho, 2021. "Floristic Composition: Dynamic Biodiversity Indicator of Tree Canopy Effect on Dryland and Improved Mediterranean Pastures," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-25, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:11:y:2021:i:11:p:1128-:d:676635
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. João Serrano & Shakib Shahidian & José Marques da Silva & Francisco Moral & Fernando Carvajal-Ramirez & Emanuel Carreira & Alfredo Pereira & Mário de Carvalho, 2020. "Evaluation of the Effect of Dolomitic Lime Application on Pastures—Case Study in the Montado Mediterranean Ecosystem," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-19, May.
    2. Shayan Ghajar & Benjamin Tracy, 2021. "Proximal Sensing in Grasslands and Pastures," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-12, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hajer Guesmi & Cyrine Darej & Piebiep Goufo & Salah Ben Youssef & Mohamed Chakroun & Hichem Ben Salem & Henrique Trindade & Nizar Moujahed, 2022. "Stubble Quality of Wheat Grown under No-Tillage and Conventional Tillage Systems, and Effects of Stubble on the Fermentation Profile of Grazing Ewes’ Ruminal Fluid," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-12, April.

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