P.PSH.2009 - Grazing for climate resilience – a case study

Summary

Maintaining access to high quality forage in the face of variable rainfall regimes is a challenge, particularly in  the context of predicted increases in climate variability and, in many places, drying trends1-3. 

Pasture species vary in their ability to withstand prolonged dry periods, reflecting their rooting and water-use strategies4. However, since both drought and grazing reduce aboveground plant biomass5, there is potential for additive effects on pasture productivity and persistence when drought and high grazing pressure co-occur.

Knowledge of how species perform under different combinations of grazing and rainfall can guide decisions on stocking rates and timing under differing climate scenarios.