Grazing can contribute to soil degradation by compaction due to roaming of livestock and loss of herbaceous cover, affecting also soil microbial community. Aim of this study was to assess grazing impact on soil microbial community and nutrient status under different plant cover types (i.e., fernery, chestnut wood, garigue). Grazed and ungrazed soils were analysed for water holding capacity, pH, organic carbon, N, S, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu content, microbial biomass, fungal mycelium and potential respiration. Moreover, some ecophysiological indices, as microbial quotient, coefficient of endogenous mineralization (CEM), metabolic quotient (qCO2) and fungal fraction of microbial carbon were calculated. The results of present study showed that a moderate intensity grazing had low or no impact on chemical characteristics of soils and affects microbial community mainly in grazed areas with lower vegetation cover and lower content of nutrient and organic carbon, compared to areas with a thick layer of vegetation.

Grazing impact on soil chemical and biological properties under different plant cover types in a mountain area of Southern Italy / Dascoli, R; DE MARCO, Anna; Virzo, Amalia; Rutigliano, F. A.. - STAMPA. - (2006), pp. 53-58. (Intervento presentato al convegno 4th Meeting of IUFRO Working Party 8.01.03 tenutosi a LOCOROTONDO nel 26-29 SETTEMBRE 2006).

Grazing impact on soil chemical and biological properties under different plant cover types in a mountain area of Southern Italy.

DE MARCO, ANNA;VIRZO, AMALIA;
2006

Abstract

Grazing can contribute to soil degradation by compaction due to roaming of livestock and loss of herbaceous cover, affecting also soil microbial community. Aim of this study was to assess grazing impact on soil microbial community and nutrient status under different plant cover types (i.e., fernery, chestnut wood, garigue). Grazed and ungrazed soils were analysed for water holding capacity, pH, organic carbon, N, S, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu content, microbial biomass, fungal mycelium and potential respiration. Moreover, some ecophysiological indices, as microbial quotient, coefficient of endogenous mineralization (CEM), metabolic quotient (qCO2) and fungal fraction of microbial carbon were calculated. The results of present study showed that a moderate intensity grazing had low or no impact on chemical characteristics of soils and affects microbial community mainly in grazed areas with lower vegetation cover and lower content of nutrient and organic carbon, compared to areas with a thick layer of vegetation.
2006
9788887553116
Grazing impact on soil chemical and biological properties under different plant cover types in a mountain area of Southern Italy / Dascoli, R; DE MARCO, Anna; Virzo, Amalia; Rutigliano, F. A.. - STAMPA. - (2006), pp. 53-58. (Intervento presentato al convegno 4th Meeting of IUFRO Working Party 8.01.03 tenutosi a LOCOROTONDO nel 26-29 SETTEMBRE 2006).
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11588/122109
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