The use of salt for managing unguarded mixed livestock on Atlantic mountain heathlands

摘要

Western European heathlands are located in mountain areas where livestock has traditionally ranged. It has been demonstrated that livestock exert an important effect upon these natural resources. Thus, management alternatives are sought to attract them in order to improve habitat use. In this sense, the provision of different nutrients such as salt is expected to attract animals and consequently, control the expansion of dense heathlands. Therefore, a study was carried out to assess the effect of different salt doses on soil and vegetation parameters and on animal use. According to the results obtained, livestock were strongly attracted by salt and their trampling resulted in an increase in the amount of grass. Finally, plots treated with salt showed a higher content of sodium in soil samples but no differences were found in the nutritive value of the pasture.