Contrast between adaptive multi-paddock and traditional grazing in Chilean Patagonian grasslands

The objective of the study was to compare grassland characteristics under two different grazing managements: adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) and traditional (semi-continuous summer-winter rotation) grazing (TRAD). The Ecological Outcome Verification monitoring system (Savory Institute, 2018) was used on six ranches, in the Magallanes Region of Chile. Using satellite images, at least five sampling locations were chosen in each ranch, looking for areas where the neighboring ranches had similar slope and sun exposure. One location in each ranch (n=6) was randomly chosen and paired samples were evaluated in the AMP ranch and its traditional-grazing neighbor. In each location, two 25 m vegetation transects and one 25 m soil-health transect were evaluated. Additionally, three soil samples were taken, homogenized by depth (0 to 10, 10 to 20 and 20 to 30 cm) and measured for apparent density and organic matter content. Traditional grazing systems had more bare ground (P<0.05). Contextually undesirable species tended (P<0.1) to be 30.6% greater in traditional grazing. A time regression tended (P=0.1) to show a cover difference of Hieracium pilosella (undesirable specie in Patagonia) between AMP and TRAD increased by 4 percentage points per year. Among pasture health indicators, AMP tended to have greater plant litter and dung decomposition (P=0.1 for both), and had greater litter incorporation (P<0.05), contextually undesirable species (P<0.05) and Ecological Health Index (P<0.05). Soil organic matter content was greater (P<0.05) for AMP than TRAD on the 20-30 cm depth. In conclusion, AMP grazing might be a useful tool to improve pasture health, soil cover and organic matter content, and to reduce undesirable species.The objective of the study was to compare grassland characteristics under two different grazing managements: adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) and traditional (semi-continuous summer-winter rotation) grazing (TRAD). The Ecological Outcome Verification monitoring system (Savory Institute, 2018) was used on six ranches, in the Magallanes Region of Chile. Using satellite images, at least five sampling locations were chosen in each ranch, looking for areas where the neighboring ranches had similar slope and sun exposure. One location in each ranch (n=6) was randomly chosen and paired samples were evaluated in the AMP ranch and its traditional-grazing neighbor. In each location, two 25 m vegetation transects and one 25 m soil-health transect were evaluated. Additionally, three soil samples were taken, homogenized by depth (0 to 10, 10 to 20 and 20 to 30 cm) and measured for apparent density and organic matter content. Traditional grazing systems had more bare ground (P<0.05). Contextually undesirable species tended (P<0.1) to be 30.6% greater in traditional grazing. A time regression tended (P=0.1) to show a cover difference of Hieracium pilosella (undesirable specie in Patagonia) between AMP and TRAD increased by 4 percentage points per year. Among pasture health indicators, AMP tended to have greater plant litter and dung decomposition (P=0.1 for both), and had greater litter incorporation (P<0.05), contextually undesirable species (P<0.05) and Ecological Health Index (P<0.05). Soil organic matter content was greater (P<0.05) for AMP than TRAD on the 20-30 cm depth. In conclusion, AMP grazing might be a useful tool to improve pasture health, soil cover and organic matter content, and to reduce undesirable species.The objective of the study was to compare grassland characteristics under two different grazing managements: adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) and traditional (semi-continuous summer-winter rotation) grazing (TRAD). The Ecological Outcome Verification monitoring system (Savory Institute, 2018) was used on six ranches, in the Magallanes Region of Chile. Using satellite images, at least five sampling locations were chosen in each ranch, looking for areas where the neighboring ranches had similar slope and sun exposure. One location in each ranch (n=6) was randomly chosen and paired samples were evaluated in the AMP ranch and its traditional-grazing neighbor. In each location, two 25 m vegetation transects and one 25 m soil-health transect were evaluated. Additionally, three soil samples were taken, homogenized by depth (0 to 10, 10 to 20 and 20 to 30 cm) and measured for apparent density and organic matter content. Traditional grazing systems had more bare ground (P<0.05). Contextually undesirable species tended (P<0.1) to be 30.6% greater in traditional grazing. A time regression tended (P=0.1) to show a cover difference of Hieracium pilosella (undesirable specie in Patagonia) between AMP and TRAD increased by 4 percentage points per year. Among pasture health indicators, AMP tended to have greater plant litter and dung decomposition (P=0.1 for both), and had greater litter incorporation (P<0.05), contextually undesirable species (P<0.05) and Ecological Health Index (P<0.05). Soil organic matter content was greater (P<0.05) for AMP than TRAD on the 20-30 cm depth. In conclusion, AMP grazing might be a useful tool to improve pasture health, soil cover and organic matter content, and to reduce undesirable species.