Long-term impacts of grazing intensity on soil carbon sequestration and selected soil properties in the arid Eastern Cape, South Africa

BACKGROUND Little is known about how basic soil properties respond to contrasting grazing intensities in the Karoo biome, South Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate impacts of long‐term (>75 years) grazing at 1.18 heads ha−1 (heavy; CGH), 0.78 heads ha−1 (light; CGL), and exclosure on...

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Published in:Journal of the science of food and agriculture 2016-04, Vol.96 (6), p.1945-1952
Main Authors: Talore, Deribe G, Tesfamariam, Eyob H, Hassen, Abubeker, Du Toit, JCO, Klampp, Katja, Jean-Francois, Soussana
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
arid lands
Aridity
carbon
Carbon - chemistry
Carbon sequestration
continuous grazing
Ecosystem
exclosure
Feeding Behavior
Grazing
Infiltration
Life Sciences
Livestock
Livestock - physiology
nitrogen
Nitrogen - chemistry
Plants - classification
Raw materials
Soil (material)
Soil - chemistry
soil properties
Soils
South Africa
Stockings
Sustainability
Sustainable agriculture
Time Factors
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Summary:BACKGROUND Little is known about how basic soil properties respond to contrasting grazing intensities in the Karoo biome, South Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate impacts of long‐term (>75 years) grazing at 1.18 heads ha−1 (heavy; CGH), 0.78 heads ha−1 (light; CGL), and exclosure on selected soil properties. Soil samples were collected to a depth of 60 cm from the long‐term experimental site of Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute, Eastern Cape. The samples were analyzed for C, N, bulk density and infiltration rate, among others. RESULTS Generally, heavy and light grazing reduced soil N storage by 27.5% and 22.6%, respectively, compared with the exclosure. Animal exclusion improved water infiltration rate and C stocks significantly (P < 0.05), which was 0.128, 0.097, and 0.093 Mg ha−1 yr−1 for exclosure, CGL and CGH, respectively. Soil penetration resistance was higher for grazing treatments in the top 3–7 cm soil layer but for exclosure at the top 1 cm soil surface. CONCLUSION Although livestock exclusion has the potential to improve C sequestration, a sufficient resting period for 1–2 years followed by three consecutive grazing years at light stocking rate would be ideal for sustainable livestock production in this arid region of South Africa. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
ISSN:0022-5142
1097-0010
DOI:10.1002/jsfa.7302