Habitat use of free and mixed livestock ranging in grassland-heathland mosaics of Atlantic Mountains
2009
Mandaluniz, N. | Ruiz, R. | Oregui; L.M.
The habitat use of non-shepherded and mixed grazing livestock in grassland-heathland mosaics occurring in the Atlantic Mountains of Northern Spain was studied. Plant communities included grasslands, open heathlands, dense heathlands, forests and rocky pastures. Average stocking rate was 0.83 0.52 LU per ha. Grassland was the most commonly grazed community, followed by open heathland and significantly more ranged than dense heathland. This fact points out the potential interest of open heathlands for livestock production. Finally, rocky and forest areas had the lowest livestock presence. Sheep mainly ranged on grasslands while large animal species, such as cattle and horses mainly grazed on heathlands. These differences in habitat use by each livestock species are necessary to be considered when managing these rangelands, as they could be translated into different impacts on vegetation. In this sense, it is important to consider the different use of open heathlands by small and large animal species for maintaining their important ecological value (Habitats Directive 97-62-EU) and stopping wood invasion that may convert them into dense heathlands.
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