Deficiencies in the Briske et al. Rebuttal of the Savory Method: A Reply to the Letter From Andres Cibils

摘要

The letter from Andres Cibils et al. in this issue of Rangelands maintains that the rebuttal of Briske et al. in the October issue of Rangelands by Teague in the February issue of Rangelands was incorrect regarding grazing results in Patagonia and that it omitted important information regarding a serious event involving a holistically managed farm in Chile. The letter by Dr. Cibils et al. needs correction regarding the previous research and monitoring work in Patagonia and clarification on the farm incident in Chilean Tierra Del Fuego.Dr. Cibils tries to make his point using a paper that was published 16 years ago. Although it was a long-term grazing trial (10 years), it used small paddocks at a single location. The data presented only analyzed vegetation cover and biodiversity, without any reference to landscape function, community dynamics, and spatial heterogeneity. It suggests that the exclosure and light stocking strategies would be regenerative, and that moderate stocking rates could be considered stable. This has not been borne out by Ovis XXI monitoring data gathered on large commercial farms in many areas of Argentina and Chile.