Examinando por Materia "Manejo del pastoreo"

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Assessing soil and native high Andean grassland quality under grazing: A case study from the wet Puna of Peru
(John Wiley & Sons Australia, 2026-02-13) Arias Arredondo, Alberto Gilmer; Pérez Porras, Wendy Elizabeth; Lastra Paucar, Sphyros Roomel; Cruz Luis, Juancarlos Alejandro; Solórzano Acosta, Richard Andi; Turín Canchaya, Cecilia Claudia
High Andean grasslands are vulnerable to changes in their nutritional quality and carbon sequestration capacity, especially in grazing systems. This study evaluated soil quality and native grasses by measuring carbon, physicochemical parameters, and the nutritional quality of predominant species in the wet Puna of Junín, Peru. Significant differences were found in carbon storage and nutritional quality across different grazing grassland sites. Soil carbon levels were consistently high across all sites, with significant concentrations at San Pedro de Cajas (14.26% ± 11.7%; p < 0.05), and its carbon stock (210.7 ± 111.3 Mg/ha) exceeded that of Junín (+68%) and Ulcumayo (+107%). Also, the flat topography at this site is presumed to have influenced its soil fertility. No adverse relationship was observed between carbon content and animal units, regardless of continuous or rotational grazing system, and a strong negative Pearson correlation (r = 0.84) between total carbon and bulk density indicated the prevalence of organic materials and no soil compaction. It emphasizes how landscape features affect soil quality and ecosystem processes. The protein content of key species exhibited a strong Pearson correlation with plant phosphorus (r = 0.93), digestible organic matter (DOM), and metabolizable energy (ME; r = 0.75). The Redundancy Analysis (RDA) showed that plant functional traits are driven by chemical and physical gradients, underscoring the combined effects of nutrient availability and site constraints on pasture productivity and forage quality. Among native grasses, Cebadilla (Calamagrostis vicunarum [Wedd.] Pilg.) emerged as the most favorable option for animal nutrition and exhibited a significantly higher crude protein content (8.23% ± 0.89%), Metabolizable energy value (8.16 MJ/kg), and C/N ratio (~40). Future research should focus on linking soil and forage quality with animal physiological responses to improve understanding of grazing impacts and guide sustainable management in high-altitude grasslands.
Clustering-Based Characterization of Mixed Herds and the Influence of Pasture Fertilization in High-Andean Livestock Systems
(MDPI, 2026-01-08) Nuñez, Jesus; Paxi Meneses, Felimon; Cruz, Wilder; Estrada Cañari, Richard
Livestock production in the high Andes is vital for rural livelihoods and food security but is limited by poor pasture quality, environmental variability, and restricted resources. Pasture improvement, achieved through management practices and particularly through fertilization, may enhance productivity and sustainability in high-Andean livestock systems. This study aimed to characterize mixed herds composed of domestic sheep (Ovis aries), alpacas (Vicugna pacos), llamas (Lama glama), and domestic cattle (Bos taurus) and to evaluate the role of pasture fertilization on herd composition and livestock size. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 88 randomly selected livestock producers, complemented by direct field observations of grazing areas, corrals, shelters, and water sources. The survey documented herd structure, grazing management, pasture conservation, fertilization practices, and farm infrastructure. Data from multiple farms were analyzed using a clustering approach to group production units with similar characteristics, and statistical models were applied to assess the effects of fertilization, pasture area, and water sources. Three distinct clusters were identified: one dominated by alpacas, another by sheep, and a third by llamas with the most uniform stocking density. Pasture fertilization was most common in the sheep-dominated cluster and was significantly associated with higher sheep numbers, while no significant effects were detected for alpacas, llamas, or cattle. Farms without fertilization showed slightly higher overall livestock size; however, a strong negative interaction between pasture area and lack of fertilization indicated that expanding grazing land alone could not offset low forage quality. These findings suggest that targeted fertilization, when combined with sustainable grazing practices, may contribute to improved herd performance and long-term resilience in heterogeneous Andean livestock systems.