Grazing domestic livestock in Dutch coastal dunes: experiments, experiences and perspectives
van Dijk, H.W. (1992). Grazing domestic livestock in Dutch coastal dunes: experiments, experiences and perspectives, in: Carter, R.W.G. et al. (Ed.) Coastal dunes: geomorphology, ecology and management for conservation: Proceedings of the 3rd European Dune Congress Galway, Ireland, 17-21 June 1992. pp. 235-250
In: Carter, R.W.G.; Curtis, T.G.F.; Sheehy-Skeffington, M.J. (Ed.) (1992). Coastal dunes: Geomorphology, ecology and management for conservation: Proceedings of the 3rd European Dune Congress Galway, Ireland, 17-21 June 1992. A.A. Balkema [etc.]: Rotterdam. ISBN 90-5410-058-3. 533 pp., meer
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| Abstract |
In the Dutch dunes, a combination of a decreased intensity of livestock grazing (homed cattle, horses and sheep) and rabbits together with (1) a strongly increased load of nitrogen caused by the pollution of the precipitation and (2) afforestation, has led to a dune vegetation which has become significantly less open in character. Some dune areas, which had an almost open aspect fifty years ago, are covered nowadays by almost 100 % scrub and woodland. To help protect and maintain the remaining open dune landscapes, some grazing experiments have been started during the last 15 years. Two cases are presented to give an impression of the general impact of grazing on natural landscapes, together with a summary of the present grazing situation in the Dutch dunes. The ecological impact of this grazing in relation to both the grazing of natural herbivores (rabbit, roe), and two, acidification and eutrophication of the precipitation is discussed. The grazing of domestic livestock is not a general technique with the conservation management in Dutch dunes at this moment. The present grazing of livestock focuses on a small number of experiments. Possible reasons for this focus are mentioned and possibilities and problems for the future of livestock grazing in dunes are discussed. |
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