Forage production in natural and afforested grasslands of the Pampas: ecological complementarity and management opportunities

摘要: In managed rangelands periods of low primary productivity determine troughs forage availability, constraining animal production year-round. Although alternative tools to increase availability during critical seasons exists, most them are unaffordable and short-lived in marginal areas. We explore the potential benefits deciduous tree plantations favoring winter by comparing aboveground net (ANPP) patterns herbaceous understory natural grasslands Pampas (Argentina). These temperate subhumid characterized coexistence species, mainly C3 grasses native genera Stipa, Piptochaetium, Bromus exotic Lolium Festuca) summer species (mainly C4 Paspalum, Bothriochloa, Stenotaphrum) that replace each other throughout seasons, with domination latter. hypothesize decoupling growing between trees could provide basis for sustainable promotion forage. measured ANPP on two 23-year-old Populus deltoides their compared adjacent open grasslands. Afforested stands had 55–75% higher annual than non-afforested neighbors, contributing ~70% total ANPP. Herbaceous canopies beneath achieved about half observed situations a contrasting seasonal distribution associated shifts from grass dominance. Winter ANPP, source these grazing systems, was similar or counterparts, suggesting mixed systems involving pastures valid viable option region.