Opportunistic grazing: An efficient tool for enhancing rangeland health

This Innovation Brief explored the concept of opportunistic grazing as a sustainable tool to enhance rangeland health. Opportunistic grazing involved allowing livestock to graze on available forage during favorable conditions, effectively utilizing high-quality forage and improving ecosystem health....

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Louhaichi, Mounir, Gamoun, Mouldi
Formato: Brief
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas 2024
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/168860
Descripción
Sumario:This Innovation Brief explored the concept of opportunistic grazing as a sustainable tool to enhance rangeland health. Opportunistic grazing involved allowing livestock to graze on available forage during favorable conditions, effectively utilizing high-quality forage and improving ecosystem health. This approach promoted better livestock nutrition, enhanced rangeland biodiversity, and mitigated overgrazing by concentrating grazing pressure during periods of rapid plant growth. Key benefits included improved animal health, reduced soil compaction, and flexibility for pastoralists to adapt to variable climatic conditions. By mimicking natural herbivory, opportunistic grazing fostered a balanced distribution of grazing pressure and supported long-term rangeland productivity.