Forage crops are mainly those edible plant material that are generally eaten by the animals, this includes the green and soft stem and leaves. Land use/land cover and soil types play significant roles in determining forage quantity and quality (Digestibility, taste, nutrient content etc.) in semi-arid regions of the world.
Land Use/Land Cover Influence on forage quality and quantity
- Grazing Intensity influences the quantity of forage crops, no direct relation with the quality of forage crop is studied
Intensive grazing practices, common in areas with extensive livestock farming, can lead to overgrazing and depletion of vegetation cover, reducing forage quantity.
For eg. In the Sahel region of Africa, overgrazing by livestock has resulted in the degradation of grasslands and loss of forage resources.
- Different land cover types, such as grasslands, shrublands, and forests, provide varying amounts and types of forage resources depending on their composition and structure.
This vegetation disparity also impacts the forage quality,
For eg. Grasslands dominated by perennial and nutritious grass species tend to offer higher-quality forage compared to shrublands with sparse vegetation cover.
- Land use changes in terms of conversion of natural habitats for agricultural expansion or urban development can alter forage availability and quality, leading to habitat fragmentation and loss of biodiversity.
For eg. Conversion of grasslands to croplands in the Great Plains of North America has reduced forage availability for native herbivores like bison and pronghorn antelope.
Influence of soil types on forage quality and quantity
- Soil fertility, determined by factors such as texture, organic matter content, and nutrient availability, affects plant growth and forage productivity.
For eg. Vertisols, characterized by high clay content, have high water-holding capacity and fertility, supporting lush vegetation and abundant forage with high nutrient content in semi-arid regions like the Deccan Plateau in India.
- Soil moisture retention capacity influences plant water uptake and drought tolerance, thereby affecting forage productivity and persistence.
For eg. Sandy soils with low moisture retention capacity are common in arid regions like the Sahara Desert, limiting vegetation growth and forage availability.
- Soil pH and nutrient levels influence plant nutrient uptake and biochemical composition, affecting forage quality in terms of protein content, digestibility, and palatability.
For eg. Acidic soils with low pH levels in regions like the Amazon rainforest can limit the availability of essential nutrients for forage plants, affecting livestock nutrition and productivity.
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