Abstract
An initially uniform Holcus lanatus-dominated sward came partly under hay-making and partly under sheep-grazing. Preferential grazing by sheep resulted in grazing at different intensities giving rise to a macro-pattern of various plant communities. Besides this macro-pattern a micro-pattern developed in the grazed area, which was absent under hay-making. In the micro-pattern short, heavily grazed areas alternated with taller, lightly grazed patches, both having the same species composition. The heavily grazed area was characterized by equal amounts of monocots and dicots. The lightly grazed patches were dominated by Agrostis tenuis, and had a large amount of litter which probably causes the absence of mosses. The protein percentage of green material is higher in the heavily grazed areas than in the lightly grazed patches.
Sequential charting indicated that the micro-pattern was more or less stable. An interaction between the vegetation micro-pattern and grazing patterns is suggested. Heavy grazing results in forage with a high protein content and hence attracts animals. Light grazing results in forage with a relatively low protein content, animals avoid the area and litter accumulates.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arnold, G. W., 1964. Factors within plant associations affecting the behaviour and performance of grazing animals. In: D. J. Crisp (ed.). Grazing in Terrestrial and Marine Environments, pp. 133–154. Blackwell, Oxford.
Bakker, J. P. & Ruyter, J. C., 1981. Effects of five years of grazing on a salt-marsh vegetation-a study with sequential mapping. Vegetatio 44: 81–100.
Bakker, J. P. & Bie, S.de, Dallinga, J. H., Tjaden, P. & Vries, Y.de, 1983. Sheep grazing as a management tool for heathland conservation and regeneration in the Netherlands. J. Appl. Ecol. 20: 541–560.
Bakker, P. A., 1979. Vegetation science and nature conservation. In: M. J. A. Werger (ed.). The Study of Vegetation, pp. 247–288. Junk, The Hague.
Black, J. S., 1957. The digestibility of indigenous hill pasture species. Rep. Hill Farming Res. Org. 4: 33–37.
Blom, C. W. P. M., 1977. Effects of trampling and soil compaction on the occurrence of some Plantago species in coastal sand dunes. II. Trampling and seedling establishment. Oecologia Plantarum 12: 363–381.
Bülow-Olsen, A., 1980. Nutrient cycling in grassland dominated by Deschampsia flexuosa (L.) Trin. and grazed by nursing cows. Agro-Ecosystems 6: 209–220.
Bürkle, A., 1980. Vegetationskundliche, weidewirtschaftliche und strukturelle Untersuchungen zur Koppelschafhaltung im Allgau Bayer. Landw. Jahrb. 57: 159–346.
Charles, W. N., McCowan, D. & East, K., 1977. Selection of upland swards by Red Deer (Cervus elaphus L.) on Rhum. J. Appl. Ecol. 14: 55–64.
Crawford, A. K. & Liddle, M. J., 1977. The effect of trampling on neutral grassland. Biol. Cons. 12: 135–142.
Davies, W., 1925. The relative palatability of pasture plants. J. Min. Agric. 32: 106–116.
Ellenberg, H., 1978. Vegetation Mitteleuropas mit den Alpen. Ulmer, Stuttgart.
Frame, J. & Hunt, I. V., 1971. The effects of cutting and grazing systems on herbage production from grass swards. J. Br. Grassl. Soc. 26: 163–171.
Grime, J. P., 1979. Plant strategies and vegetation processes. Wiley, Chichester, 222 pp.
Harper, J. L., 1977. Population biology of plants. Academic Press. London.
Hodgson, J. & Grant, S. A., 1981. Grazing animals and forage resources in the hills and uplands. In: J. Frame (ed.). The Effective Use of Forage and Animal Resources in the Hills and Uplands, pp. 41–57. Occ. Symp. 12 Br. Grassl. Soc.
Hunter, R. F., 1962. Hill sheep and their pasture: a study of sheep-grazing in south-east Scotland. J. Ecol. 50: 651–680.
Huston, M., 1979. A general hypothesis of species diversity. Amer. Nat. 113: 81–101.
Job, D. A. & Taylor, J. A., 1978. The production, utilization and management of upland grazings on Plynlimon, Wales. J. Biogeogr. 5: 173–191.
Klapp, E., 1965. Grünlandvegetation und Standort. Parey, Berlin.
Klötzli, F., 1965. Qualität und Quantität der Rehäsung in Waldund Grünland-Gesellschaften des nördlichen Schweizer Mittellandes. Veröff. Geob. Inst. Eidg. Techn. Hochschule Stiftung Rübel. 38: 1–186.
Langlands, K. P. & Bennett, I. L., 1973a. Stocking intensity and pastoral production. I. Changes in the soil and vegetation of a sown pasture grazed by sheep at different stocking rates. J. Agric. Sci. (Camb.) 81: 193–204.
Langlands, K. P. & Bennett, I. L., 1973b. Stocking intensity and pastoral production. II. Herbage intake of Merino sheep grazed at different stocking rates. J. Agric. Sci. (Camb.) 81: 205–209.
Leege, T. A., Herman, D. J. & Zamora, B., 1981. Effects of cattle grazing on mountain meadows in Idaho. J. Range Manage. 34: 324–328.
Leeuwen, C. G.van & Maarel, E.van der, 1971. Pattern and process in coastal dune vegetations. Acta Bot. Neerl. 20: 191–198.
Mattson, W. J.Jr., 1980. Herbivory in relation to plant nitrogen content. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 11: 119–161.
Mølgaard, P., 1977. Competitive effect of grass on establishment and performance of Taraxacum officinale. Oikos 29: 376–382.
Nicholson, J. A., Paterson, I. S. & Currie, A., 1970. A study of vegetational dynamics: selection by sheep and cattle in Nardus pasture. In: A. Watson (ed.). Animal Populations in Relation to their Food Resources, pp. 129–143. Symp. Br. Ecol. Soc. Blackwell, Oxford.
Norman, M. J. T., 1957. The influence of various grazing treatments upon the botanical composition of a downland permanent pasture. J. Brit. Grassl. Soc. 12: 246–256.
Oosterveld, P., 1975. Beheer en ontwikkeling van natuurreservaten door begrazing. Natuur en Landschap 29: 161–171.
Pigott, C. D., 1956. The vegetation of upper Teesdale in the North Pennines. J. Ecol. 44: 545–586.
Regnèll, G., 1980. A numerical study of successions in an abandoned, damp calcareous meadow in S Sweden. Vegetatio 43: 123–130.
Research Institute for Nature Management. 1979. Natuurbeheer in Nederland; Levensgemeenschappen. Pudoc, Wageningen.
Stobbs, T. H., 1973. The effect of plant structure on the uptake of tropical pastures. II. Differences in sward structure, nutrition value, and bite size of animals grazing Seteria anceps and Chloris gayana at various stages of growth. Austr. J. Agric. Res. 24: 821–829.
Veldman, D., 1983. De invloed van verschillende beheersmaatregelen op de grasland- en heidevegetatie van het Westerholt. Intern. Rep. Dept. of Plant Ecology, University of Groningen/Research Institute for Nature Management, Leersum (mimeo). 75 pp.
Wiegolaski, F. E., 1976. The effect of herbage intake by sheep on primary production, ratios top-root and dead-live above-ground parts (Hardangervidda, Norway). Pol. Ecol. Stud. 2: 67–76.
Willms, W., Bailey, A. W. & McLean, A., 1980. Effect of burning or clipping Agropyron spicatum in the autumn on the spring foraging behaviour of mule deer and cattle. J. Appl. Ecol. 17: 69–84.
Witschi, P. A. & Michalk, D. L., 1979. The effect of sheep treading and grazing on pasture and soil characteristics of irrigated annual pastures. Austr. J. Agric. Res. 30: 741–750.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Nomenclature follows Heukels & van Ooststroom (1977) Flora van Nederland.
Mrs J. O'Brien corrected the English text
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bakker, J.P., de Leeuw, J. & van Wieren, S.E. Micro-patterns in grassland vegetation created and sustained by sheep-grazing. Vegetatio 55, 153–161 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00045017
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00045017