Summary
This study examines how ecosystem services vary spatially across grassland systems of differing management intensity in Switzerland. The authors assessed multiple services—presumably including forage production, soil health, biodiversity, and nutrient cycling—to characterise trade-offs between intensification and ecosystem function. The spatial analysis approach permits identification of hotspots and variability patterns relevant to landscape-scale management planning.
UK applicability
Findings are potentially relevant to UK grassland management, particularly for lowland permanent pasture and semi-improved grasslands under different stocking rates and input regimes. The methodology and spatial assessment framework could inform UK farm-scale and agri-environment scheme design, though soil types, climate, and herbagespecies may differ.
Key measures
Ecosystem services metrics across grassland management intensities; spatial variability analysis; likely measures of productivity, biodiversity, soil properties, and regulating services
Outcomes reported
The study assessed multiple ecosystem services (likely including productivity, biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and carbon storage) across grasslands managed at different intensities. The research quantified spatial variability in these services to understand trade-offs between production and environmental outcomes.
Topic tags
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