Publication Date
1997
Description
The goal of this study was to determine the structure, productivity and utilization of mountain communal pastures of the Gorbea area in 1994. The area was classified in four zones according to topographic position and improvement activities: north slope brush removed, summit, south slope 50% brush, and south slope brush removed. Ecological profiles were used to relate the most abundant species to soil P and K contents at the different zones. Exclosure cages were used to estimate potential productivity, botanical composition and pasture utilization. Soil P and K contents are the parameters that relate best to floristic composition, being Agrostis capillaris related to higher soil fertility levels, and Agrostis curtisii and Festuca rubra to lower conditions of soil fertility. Pasture productivity was between 1.7 and 2.8 t DM/ha. Agrostis capillaris and Festuca rubra were the dominant species except in the brush removed zones. Average pasture utilization was 55%.
Citation
Albizu, I; Besga, G; Rodriquez, M; Onaindia, M; Domingo, M; and Amezaga, I, "Structure, Productivity and Animal Utilization in a Communal Pasture in the Basque Country (Northern Spain)" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 8.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session18/8
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Structure, Productivity and Animal Utilization in a Communal Pasture in the Basque Country (Northern Spain)
The goal of this study was to determine the structure, productivity and utilization of mountain communal pastures of the Gorbea area in 1994. The area was classified in four zones according to topographic position and improvement activities: north slope brush removed, summit, south slope 50% brush, and south slope brush removed. Ecological profiles were used to relate the most abundant species to soil P and K contents at the different zones. Exclosure cages were used to estimate potential productivity, botanical composition and pasture utilization. Soil P and K contents are the parameters that relate best to floristic composition, being Agrostis capillaris related to higher soil fertility levels, and Agrostis curtisii and Festuca rubra to lower conditions of soil fertility. Pasture productivity was between 1.7 and 2.8 t DM/ha. Agrostis capillaris and Festuca rubra were the dominant species except in the brush removed zones. Average pasture utilization was 55%.
