Pastures and Forages Test 1

Overgrazed

due to poor plant growth or too many animals

Grazed Heavily

too many animals for the available forage.

Stocking density/rate

number of animals per unit area

Forage Mass

total dry wight of forage per unit area of land

Stocking Density

number of animals per unit land area for a period of timer

Grazing pressure

available forage per animal at a given time

Soil

layer of generally loose mineral and/or organic material on or near the surface of the earth that serves as the natural medium for the growth of the plants

Soil Quality

capacity of soil to function. Dependent on use

Functions of the soil

Supports plant growth, Regulates water supply, Recycles raw materal, Habitat for micro-organisms

Supports plant growth

-anchors plant -toxin buffer

-root development -pant nutrient source

-soil aeration -nutrient supply to livestock

-water supply -temp regulator-soil isulates

Soil Health

the continued capacity of the soilt ofunction as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans.

Forage

all edible parts of a plant that can provide feed for grazing animals or can be havested for feeding .

Grass

vegetation typically consisting of short plants with long narrow leaves growing wild or cultivated lawns or pastures as a fodder crop

Legumes

member of the pea family and produces a seed pod

Forb

any herbaceous broad leaf plants including legume that is not a grass and not grass like

Grass-like

solid stem herbacaous plant, water loving.

Rushes and sedges.

Browse

leaf and twig growth of shrubs, woody vines, trees cacti and other non-herbacaous veg available for animal consumption.

Pasture

type of grazing management unit enclosed and separated from other areas by fencing or other barriers devoted to the production of forage for harvest primarily by grazing.

Cover crops

stabilize topsoil and reduce water runoff and erosion between successive annual crops.

Hay

forage preserved by field drying to moisture levels enough to prevent microbial activity that leads to spoilage.

Silage

forage preserved at low pH in succulent condition due to production of organic acids by partial anaerobic fermentation of sugars in the forage.

Cropland

cultivated land where crops are rotated for forage production.

Grazing Land

any vegetated land that is grazed or has the potential to be grazed. (Pastureland, Rangeland, Indigenous plants, Introduced species)

Pastureland

land devoted to the production of indigenous or introduced forage for the harvest primarily by grazing

Rangeland

land on which the indigenous veg is mostly grasses, grass-like plants, forbs or shrubs and is managed as a natural ecosystem.

Indigenous

plants native to the area. Drought tolerant, lower herbage yield.

Introduced Species

plants not native sprigged or planted

Forestland

tree covered areas that support forage and intermittenly open grasslands that can be grazed or browsed

Agroforestry

designed management system in which trees are spaced to allow for the planting of crops or forages among them.

Desert

moist arid land classification

Shrubland

plants spiney or bitter to avoid herbivory

Steppe

mostly deep rooted short grasses

Prairie

mostly tall grass

Forage Mass

total dry weight of forage per unit area of land

Available Forage

portion of forage that is accessible for consumption by grazing animals.

Regrowth

forage left in field or regrows after harvest

Biodiversity

variability among living organisms on the earth including variability within and between species and within and between ecosystems.

Monoculture

single species. (Rowcrop introduced pastures)

Annual

complete life cycle in less than 1 year

Perennial

grow back from roots year after year

Variety

naturally ocurring subgroup of a plant species

Cultivar

genetically improved plant species by crossing or selection from a general population to have specific features or unique characteristics

Transpiration

exhalation of water through plant/leaf stomata

Evaporation

process of liquid water turning into water vapor

Evapotranspiration

combination of evaporation and transpiration

Soil Texture

larger particle size = greater water movement

Capillary Movemet

movement of water within soil. (Adhesion/ Cohesion)

Adhesion

attraction of water molecules to soil particles

Cohesion

attraction of water molecules to water molecules

Rate of movement in soil

particle size, soil saturation

Water potential /energy

movement of water from a hgh energy level to a lower energy level.

Gravitational Potential

movement of water downward due to gravitational pull

Matrix Potential

adhesion, wet to dry, slow process

Osmotic Potential

movement of water across membrane due to differences in salts and solute concentrates

Water content

potential water movement decreases as water content decreases

Time

water loss due to ecaporation and transpiration

Plant Water Potential

fluctuates daily. High in the morning, water replenishment at night, low in the evening, water loss in the morning

Humidity

when precipitation exceeds potential evapotranspiration

Minimum movement

lack of airflow, stomata closed, dry surface soil, unsaturated subsoil

Maximum movement

low humidity, saturated soils, high winds

Saturated

soil at max water capacity. After heavy rainfall, short lives, results in run off, excess water

Field Capacity

max water level useful to plants. Soil texture dependant and optimum osmotic potential

Wilting Point

when water uptake can’t keep up with water loss. Solar radiation high, air temp high, relative humidity low

Permanent Wilting Point

point where no water is available to the plant. 3 stages.

Stage 1

wilting by day-partial replenishment at night

Stage 2

Minimum replenishment at night-wilting to conserve water

Stage 3

Death

Plant available water

water retained in soil between states of field capacity and permanent wilting point.