During the past 15 years many new pasture species and cultivars have been released and are now commercially available. However, with the exception of Nui and Ellett ryegrasses, only a few have received enthusiastic acceptance by farmers. Acceptance depends in part to the extent to which the new plant can overcome periods of low productivity. Other reasons which are the frequent subject of comme...

Tropical pastures present multiple barriers to tree regeneration and restoration. Relict trees serve as "regeneration foci" because they ameliorate the soil microclimate and serve as safe spots for dispersers. Here, we describe another mechanism by which remnant trees may facilitate pasture regeneration: the presence of seed banks in the canopy soil that accumulates from decomposing epiphytes w...

Introduction Cattle production on Brachiaria pastures is a primary use of cleared forestland in the western Brazilian Amazon. About 6.8 million hectares in the States of Acre and Rondônia have been deforested, where 75% of land is now grazed (IBGE, 1998). The principal pasture species are B. brizantha and B. decumbens with the latter in decline from spittlebug susceptibility (Deois incompleta; ...

Cite as: Felton, A. 2009. Do tree plantations support higher species richness and abundance than pasture lands? CEE protocol 09-012 (SR73) Collaboration for Environmental Evidence:

Organic dairy farmers often introduce alternative pasture species, such as chicory (Cichorium intybus) and narrow-leaved plantain (Plantago lanceolata), to their swards because of their higher mineral contents, yet they are concerned about the presence of weed species such as docks (Rumex spp.) and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). The mineral content and nutritive value of both desired and les...