Grazing intensity and micro-topographical effects on some nitrogen and carbon pools and fluxes in sheep-grazed hill country in New Zealand

摘要

A significant proportion of grazed land in New Zealand is in hill country and this area supports a large proportion of the national sheep and beef herd. Little is known about the effect of increased grazing intensity on nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) cycling and losses from these hill country grazing systems, nor of the effect of micro-topography-on N and C pools and fluxes. A three year grazing trial was conducted to gather information on the effect of an increase in grazing intensity on soil chemistry and N and C leaching in three distinct micro-topographical classes.