Abstract
An experiment was carried out where sheep were grazed in temporary fenced paddocks at a stocking rate of 178 LSU ha−1 in a 5-year old broadleaf plantation of oak (Quercus spp.) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior) (1.5 m spacing) on fertile, former lowland pasture in Northern Ireland. The grazing regime was rotational and intensive, with two grazing periods of 5 days in February and October 2001. Results showed that a significant proportion of the rank herbage height was removed within the first 24 h of livestock introduction. Herbage biomass was reduced by approximately half after 5 days. Sward height in grazed plots remained significantly lower than control plots for over 6 months after cessation of grazing, whilst biomass remained significantly lower for over 4 months after cessation of grazing. No significant tree damage to either oak or ash was measured during the February grazing trial, however significant damage to the lateral branches of both oak and ash was observed in the October grazing trial. Leader damage did not occur on trees greater than 152 cm. Ash was more commonly browsed than oak. Annual height increment of both tree species was unaffected by grazing, but annual stem diameter increment was significantly reduced in both oak and ash in February grazed plots. Oak trees in both February and October grazed plots were found to have a significantly smaller annual increase in canopy diameter than those in control plots. Results are discussed with regard to practical implementation of controlled grazing in young broadleaf forestry plantations on fertile, lowland soils.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adams SN (1975) Sheep and cattle in forests: a review. J Appl Ecol 12:143–152
Barthram GT (1986) Experimental techniques: the HFRO sward stick. Hill Farming Research Organisation, Biennial Report 1984–1985, pp 29–30
Breach T (1986) Bracken fern control with livestock: Te Wera Forest. Agroforestry Symposium Proceedings, FRI Bulletin No. 139, pp 76–84
Brown PC (1986) Grazing in Kaingaroa forest: the Goudies project. Agroforestry Symposium Proceedings, FRI Bulletin No. 139, pp 104–111
COFORD (2001) Annual report. University College, Dublin
Culleton N, Bulfin M (1992) Effects of weed and grass control on the establishment of Fraxinus excelsior L. Irish Forest 49:55–60
Dale RW, Todd AC (1986) Using cattle to control Pampas grass in Maramarua and Waiuku forests. Agroforestry Symposium Proceedings, FRI Research Bulletin No. 139, pp 95–103
Hansen JA (1986) Experience in the use of livestock to control gorse in Ashley forest. Agroforestry Symposium Proceedings, FRI Bulletin No. 139, pp 85–94
Hester AJ, Mitchell FJG, Kirby K (1996) Effects of season and intensity of sheep grazing on tree regeneration in a British upland woodland. For Ecol Manage 88:99–106
Ide Y, Miyashige T, Sato S, Shijimaya K (2001) Grazing in secondary forest developed on abandoned field in southwestern Japan 1. Characteristics of cattle tracks formed in secondary forest. Grassl Sci 47:134–138
Kuiters L (1998) Ungulates and forest management in the Netherlands. In: Humphrey J, Gill R, Claridge J (eds) Grazing as a management tool in European Forest Ecosystems. Forestry Commission, Edinburgh, pp 11–19
Kuiters AT, Mohren GMJ, Van Wieren SE (1996) Ungulates in temperate forest ecosystems. For Ecol Manage 88:1–5
Mitchell FJG (1991) Grazing in upland woodlands. NCC/MLURI Contract No. HF3-03-319. English Nature, Peterborough
Papanastis V, Koukora Z, Alifragus D, Makedos I (1995) Effects of thinning, fertilisation and sheep grazing on the understorey vegetation of Pinus pinaster plantations. For Ecol Manage 77:181–189
Rigueiro-Rodríguez A, Silva-Pando FJ, Rodríguez-Soalleiro R, Castillón-Palomeque PA, Álvarez-Álvarez P, Mosquera-Losada R, Romero-Franco R, González-Fernández MP (1997) Manual de sistemas silvopastorales ADAPT. Santiago de Compostela
Rindt CA (1965) A silviculturalist look at grass and grazing effects on Ponderosa pine. Proc Soc Am Foresters 1964:69–70
RSPB (2000) Irelands forested future: a plan for forestry and the environment. RSPB, Sandy Bedfordshire
Sharrow SH, Leininger WC, Osman KA (1992) Sheep grazing effects on coastal Douglas fir forest growth: a ten-year perspective. For Ecol Manage 50:75–84
Shibata Y (1970) The effect of grazing cows on young birch afforestation. Annu Rep For Exp Stn Hokkaido 1969:108–121
Sibbald AR, Dick J, Jason G (1997) Grazing behaviour of sheep under larch saplings planted at wide spacings. In: Trees for Shelter. Forestry Commission Technical Paper 21, Edinburgh
Sibbald AR, Eason WR, McAdam JH, Hislop AM (2001) The establishment phase of a silvopastoral national network experiment in the UK. Agroforest Syst 53:39–53
Silva-Pando FJ, González-Hernández MP (1992) Agroforestry helps prevent forest fires. Agroforest Today 4:7–8
Silva-Pando FJ, Gonzalez-Hernanadez MP, Rigueiro-Rodríguez A, Rozados-Lorenzo MJ, Prunell A (1998) Grazing livestock under pinewood and eucalyptus forests in northwest Spain. Agroforest Forum 9:36–43
Williamson DR, Lane PB (1989) The use of herbicides in the forest Forestry Commission. Edinburgh
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the following: Forest Service (DARDNI) for their assistance in finding a suitable experimental site and permitting the grazing of livestock on their lands. Ian Dodds, Farm Manager of DARDNI Manor Farm (NIHPBS, Loughgall) for provision, transportation and welfare of livestock. Staff in Ecology and Land Use, Applied Plant Science Division for assistance with fieldwork.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
McEvoy, P.M., McAdam, J.H. Sheep grazing in young oak Quercus spp. and ash Fraxinus excelsior plantations: vegetation control, seasonality and tree damage. Agroforest Syst 74, 199–211 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-008-9121-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-008-9121-x