How rangeland pasture ecosystem works

摘要

In the second article on the northern Queensland Ecograze project, the principles underlying how pastures grow in grassy woodland are examined. Grazing lands are ecosystems - complex communities of organisms interacting within their environment. Sustainable management of grazing lands requires an understanding of what ecosystems are and how they work. The components of a grazing land ecosystem (soils, climate, plants, animals, microbes) are linked by various biological, chemical and physical processes. Energy is transferred and water and nutrients are cycled through the system. These ecological processes are essential for healthy functioning of ecosystems. ENERGY FLOW: All living things require energy to function. The energy of life ultimately comes from the sun. Green plants are able to directly convert the sun's energy into food via photosynthesis.