The effect of mixed grazing of cattle and sheep on biodiversity and productivity of grassland

In recent years, it has been demonstrated that a loss of biodiversity in temperate grasslands leads to a decline in ecosystem services. It could be shown that under extensive management, species-rich grassland produced higher yields, nutrients were utilized more efficiently and, generally, a higher stress tolerance was found than in species-poor swards. So far, it has not been investigated to what extent these benefits of species-rich swards can be used agriculturally and if advantages in productivity are effective on the trophic level of herbivores as well. Whether the diversity of agricultural herbivores is of importance is equally unknown. In this experiment, species-poor and species-rich pastures are grazed by either cattle or sheep or in a mixed setup with both cattle and sheep. The effects on gross and net pasture performance, grazing behaviour and vegetation development are being investigated.