As a result of the European Community Common Agricultural Policy reform in 2005 it is predicted t... more As a result of the European Community Common Agricultural Policy reform in 2005 it is predicted that livestock grazing in the Scottish uplands will become less intensive. At each of two upland research centres, two large (>40ha) plots were established to investigate the relationship between grazing intensity in the Scottish uplands and biodiversity. One plot was grazed intensively by sheep while the otherwas grazed extensively. Ground beetleswere sampled by pitfall trapping to determine the influence of grazing pressure on the ecologicalmake-up of ground beetle assemblages. Grazing intensity did not significantly influence carabid diversity. However, grazing intensity, altitude and moisture did influence the carabid ecological assemblage structure at both locations. Large flightless Carabus species were more abundant in extensively managed plots than intensively managed plots at both locations. It is likely that these long-living, relatively immobile beetles were favoured by the ...
Experts were interviewed on the grazing preferences of sheep in upland vegetation types and on th... more Experts were interviewed on the grazing preferences of sheep in upland vegetation types and on the responses of plants to grazing. A qualitative model of direction of change in species abundance given different seasonal sheep grazing management regimes was constructed with the expert information. The model was tested against empirical data of sward responses to summer-only grazing. The approach taken and the potential uses of the model are described and the implications discussed.
Traditional upland livestock grazing is declining worldwide, leading to concerns about possible i... more Traditional upland livestock grazing is declining worldwide, leading to concerns about possible impacts on biodiversity. Although monitoring of protected areas often focuses on rare species, management changes also affect currently common species and vegetation structure. ''Biodiversity'' is a concept rather than a simple variable, and monitoring it requires indicators that are widely applicable and appropriate to context. This paper presents a novel knowledge-driven approach to developing a selection of biodiversity indicators that can then be rapidly and objectively measured within rangeland environments. Stakeholder and professional opinion on likely changes in biodiversity following reductions in sheep grazing was elicited using a workshop-based process. Potential variables suitable for use as biodiversity indicators were developed and professional opinion on their usefulness sought. A number of indicators were then tested in a natural experiment field study on the impact of reduced sheep grazing in Scotland. In the field study, red deer abundance appeared to increase where sheep grazing was reduced. It was therefore necessary to use estimates of both sheep and deer abundance as explanatory variables. In agreement with the professionals' predictions, dwarf shrub abundance and vegetation height were greater where sheep grazing had been reduced, after taking into account differences in deer. In contrast to the professionals' predictions, the field results showed rough grasses and dead material were less abundant where sheep had been reduced, with deer also having an impact on dead material. The professionals were unsure of the effects of reduced sheep grazing on vegetation mosaic structure; the field results suggested that reduced sheep grazing leads to a reduction in structural heterogeneity, but that deer had the greater impact in this case. Several other predictions showed nonsignificant differences in relation to reduced sheep grazing. The participatory method and some of the field methods presented are cost effective and widely applicable.
This thesis addresses the effects of seasonality of grazing on vegetation dynamics. Background to... more This thesis addresses the effects of seasonality of grazing on vegetation dynamics. Background to the thesis is provided by the Hill Sheep and Native Woodland (HSNW) project, a system-scale experiment with the long-term aim of integrating upland sheep ...
Ratites (ostriches Struthio camelus) and ungulates (red deer Cervus elaphus scoticus and goats Ca... more Ratites (ostriches Struthio camelus) and ungulates (red deer Cervus elaphus scoticus and goats Capra hircus) were presented with 14 indigenous shrubs in cafeteria-style trials. The shrubs represented the spectrum of woody plant architecture, ranging from broadleaved monopodial species through to small-leaved highly branched divaricates. Trials were stopped when almost all shoots of the plant expected to be most preferred had been consumed. There were considerable differences between the herbivores in their selection of certain plant species. Aristotelia fruticosa was avoided by deer, neutrally selected by goats, and preferred by ostriches. All herbivores strongly avoided two species, Pseudopanax crassifolius and Coprosma rugosa. Analysis of relative offtake (proportion of biomass consumed from each species, relative to total biomass consumed) showed that all three herbivores ate less of species with small leaves. Consumption by all herbivores was reduced by structural plant traits (i.e. divarication and related attributes) more than by chemical plant traits. The immediate impact of browsing on the plants, measured as the rank of proportion of shoots eaten, was broadly similar across the herbivores. The broadleaved species (e.g. Myrsine australis, Aristotelia serrata) experienced the greatest browsing, while divaricate (e.g. Coprosma rugosa) and conifer species (e.g. Podocarpus hallii) were generally least browsed. Although cafeteria-style experiments have limitations, our results for deer broadly correspond to those of field-based diet preference studies.
The aim of this project was to analyse existing wild deer research and identify specific research... more The aim of this project was to analyse existing wild deer research and identify specific research and evidence gaps which need to be addressed in order to meet the challenges for each of the five priorities outlined in Scotland's Wild Deer-A National Approach (WDNA). The project was developed to facilitate more effective exchange of knowledge and provide a fuller understanding of the issues involved in deer management and therefore help deliver targeted, informed and sustainable deer management in Scotland. This report complements the recently published Deer Management in Scotland: Report to the Scottish Government from Scottish Natural Heritage 2016. Gaps in the existing knowledge-base were identified by gathering the views of stakeholders at a series of workshops, through an online survey of researchers and policy makers, and through a review of published and unpublished research material. Workshops were run across Scotland, including four regional stakeholder workshops, one workshop for trainers, and one for researchers/policy makers. The uptake of research by stakeholders was also examined through the use of an on-line survey of researchers and policy makers. The information gained from the workshops, online survey and literature review were analysed to determine the key research and knowledge transfer gaps associated with each of the five WDNA priorities. As part of the project a web-based deer research resource was created that provides an online database of deer research relevant to the five WDNA priorities (www.deerscotland.info). Main findings Cross Cutting Themes: A number of themes and issues identified were relevant across all the WDNA priorities: • Improved communication, information sharing and conflict management are required in order to overcome challenges and mistrust, and facilitate understanding between the different perspectives of the many stakeholders. Building trust will improve the uptake of research and strengthen collaboration.
Photosensitisation diseases can cause production and animal welfare losses world-20 wide. In Nort... more Photosensitisation diseases can cause production and animal welfare losses world-20 wide. In North-West Europe a photosensitisation disease complex known as 'plochteach', 21 'yellowses', 'saut' and 'alveld' occurs in lambs on extensive pastures containing bog 22 asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum). Affected lambs develop lesions on the ears, face and 23 sometimes the back, with erythema, oedema, ulceration and necrosis that can be followed by 24 secondary infection and death. Adult sheep appear unaffected, the incidence in lambs varies 25 from year to year and there are variations in susceptibility between-and within-breeds. The 26 definitive cause remains uncertain although ingestion of N. ossifragum, which contains 27 hepatotoxic saponins, has been implicated in the aetiology. However, problems replicating the 28 disease complex by feeding N. ossifragum in a controlled environment have led to alternative 29 hypotheses, including possible intake of toxins from fungal spores and cyanobacteria. Further 30 research is required to assess the putative role of N. ossifragum, the scale of economic and 31 animal welfare losses associated with the disease, how best to identify affected animals before 32 external clinical signs appear and the treatment and management of clinical cases. Given the 33 challenges involved in isolating the causative agent(s) of plochteach, an animal breeding route 34 may be effective if heritability of resistance/susceptibility can be demonstrated.
Carabid (Coleoptera) assemblages in the Scottish uplands: the influence of sheep grazing on ecolo... more Carabid (Coleoptera) assemblages in the Scottish uplands: the influence of sheep grazing on ecological structure. -Entomol. Fennica 17: 229-240.
Survival and mortality of extensive hill ewes are important commercial factors and valuable indic... more Survival and mortality of extensive hill ewes are important commercial factors and valuable indicators of welfare, but difficult to study. Body condition scoring is a tried-and-tested management and monitoring tool, which has been defined as a good predictor of fitness in ewes and is easily measured under hill farm conditions. This paper presents the results of a study on ewe survival rates in hill conditions in Scotland. Ewe performance and survival rates were measured in two contrasting hill flocks over a five-year period. Statistical analysis showed that mid-pregnancy body condition score was the most reliable indicator of subsequent ewe survival, followed closely by age of the ewe and environmental and management conditions. This study confirms that there are considerable welfare issues related to hill flocks and that improved winter nutritional management is a key component to good welfare and productivity. It also reinforces the view that body condition score is a good quantitative predictor of animal welfare and that poor mid-winter score indicates high risk of mortality, both at the flock and individual ewe level.
Ratites (ostriches Struthio camelus ) and ungulates (red deer Cervus elaphus scoticus and goats C... more Ratites (ostriches Struthio camelus ) and ungulates (red deer Cervus elaphus scoticus and goats Capra hircus ) were presented with 14 indigenous shrubs in cafeteria- style trials. The shrubs represented the spectrum of woody plant architecture, ranging from broadleaved monopodial species through to small-leaved highly branched divaricates. Trials were stopped when almost all shoots of the plant expected to be
Expert opinion was sought on two issues relating to herbivory: seasonal sheep preferences for pla... more Expert opinion was sought on two issues relating to herbivory: seasonal sheep preferences for plant species and seasonal plant response to grazing. Expert opinion is commonly used to parameterize models: it is therefore important to assess its quality. Understanding the limitations of expert knowledge can allow prioritization of future research. Nine experts in plant or grazing ecology from Scotland/Northern England were individually interviewed. The experts ranked sheep preferences for species in four rangeland vegetation types and provided categorical information on plant response to grazing. For both issues, seasonal information was collected.
ABSTRACT The aims of this study were to examine the effect of three grazing treatments (year-roun... more ABSTRACT The aims of this study were to examine the effect of three grazing treatments (year-round stocking rates of 0·8 ewes ha−1, 0·5 ewes ha−1 and 0·5 ewes ha−1 plus grazing cattle in summer), imposed for 4 years, on the herbage mass and surface height of a Nardus stricta-dominated grassland in western Scotland and to obtain estimates of annual productivity of this grassland. Nardus stricta-dominated grassland comprised proportionately 0·20 of the grazing area. Stocking rate of sheep had no significant effect on the herbage mass of the grassland in the first 2 years of the experiment, although mean summer pasture heights were significantly higher under the lower stocking rate of sheep. The pasture on the treatment with cattle grazing in summer had a significantly lower herbage mass and lower surface height than the two sheep-only grazing treatments. Year-to-year variation in the herbage mass and surface height of herbage in summer was greater than the effect of treatments. Despite changes in surface height, the structural diversity of the grasslands was not increased by the treatments. The annual production of vascular plant material ranged from 417 g DM m−2 in 1994 to 628 g DM m−2 in 1996.
Abstract: Leaf functional traits have been proposed as general indicators of plant palatability t... more Abstract: Leaf functional traits have been proposed as general indicators of plant palatability to ungulate herbivores, identifying which species are likely to be most at risk from ungulates, and how ungulate grazing may change ecosystem processes. However, few studies have ...
This is the final draft of a manuscript published by Biological Conservation. Please cite as: Pol... more This is the final draft of a manuscript published by Biological Conservation. Please cite as: Pollock, M.L. et al. (2005) Impacts of livestock in regenerating upland birch woodlands in Scotland. Biological Conservation, 123(4), 443-452. Abstract Including large herbivores in wooded areas is often seen as a useful conservation tool. Browsing intensities on saplings in seven upland birch woodlands grazed by sheep, cattle and wild herbivores were studied. The aims were to determine whether tree regeneration could occur in the presence of livestock, particularly sheep, and the conditions under which stock can be grazed sustainably within woodlands.
As a result of the European Community Common Agricultural Policy reform in 2005 it is predicted t... more As a result of the European Community Common Agricultural Policy reform in 2005 it is predicted that livestock grazing in the Scottish uplands will become less intensive. At each of two upland research centres, two large (>40ha) plots were established to investigate the relationship between grazing intensity in the Scottish uplands and biodiversity. One plot was grazed intensively by sheep while the otherwas grazed extensively. Ground beetleswere sampled by pitfall trapping to determine the influence of grazing pressure on the ecologicalmake-up of ground beetle assemblages. Grazing intensity did not significantly influence carabid diversity. However, grazing intensity, altitude and moisture did influence the carabid ecological assemblage structure at both locations. Large flightless Carabus species were more abundant in extensively managed plots than intensively managed plots at both locations. It is likely that these long-living, relatively immobile beetles were favoured by the ...
Experts were interviewed on the grazing preferences of sheep in upland vegetation types and on th... more Experts were interviewed on the grazing preferences of sheep in upland vegetation types and on the responses of plants to grazing. A qualitative model of direction of change in species abundance given different seasonal sheep grazing management regimes was constructed with the expert information. The model was tested against empirical data of sward responses to summer-only grazing. The approach taken and the potential uses of the model are described and the implications discussed.
Traditional upland livestock grazing is declining worldwide, leading to concerns about possible i... more Traditional upland livestock grazing is declining worldwide, leading to concerns about possible impacts on biodiversity. Although monitoring of protected areas often focuses on rare species, management changes also affect currently common species and vegetation structure. ''Biodiversity'' is a concept rather than a simple variable, and monitoring it requires indicators that are widely applicable and appropriate to context. This paper presents a novel knowledge-driven approach to developing a selection of biodiversity indicators that can then be rapidly and objectively measured within rangeland environments. Stakeholder and professional opinion on likely changes in biodiversity following reductions in sheep grazing was elicited using a workshop-based process. Potential variables suitable for use as biodiversity indicators were developed and professional opinion on their usefulness sought. A number of indicators were then tested in a natural experiment field study on the impact of reduced sheep grazing in Scotland. In the field study, red deer abundance appeared to increase where sheep grazing was reduced. It was therefore necessary to use estimates of both sheep and deer abundance as explanatory variables. In agreement with the professionals' predictions, dwarf shrub abundance and vegetation height were greater where sheep grazing had been reduced, after taking into account differences in deer. In contrast to the professionals' predictions, the field results showed rough grasses and dead material were less abundant where sheep had been reduced, with deer also having an impact on dead material. The professionals were unsure of the effects of reduced sheep grazing on vegetation mosaic structure; the field results suggested that reduced sheep grazing leads to a reduction in structural heterogeneity, but that deer had the greater impact in this case. Several other predictions showed nonsignificant differences in relation to reduced sheep grazing. The participatory method and some of the field methods presented are cost effective and widely applicable.
This thesis addresses the effects of seasonality of grazing on vegetation dynamics. Background to... more This thesis addresses the effects of seasonality of grazing on vegetation dynamics. Background to the thesis is provided by the Hill Sheep and Native Woodland (HSNW) project, a system-scale experiment with the long-term aim of integrating upland sheep ...
Ratites (ostriches Struthio camelus) and ungulates (red deer Cervus elaphus scoticus and goats Ca... more Ratites (ostriches Struthio camelus) and ungulates (red deer Cervus elaphus scoticus and goats Capra hircus) were presented with 14 indigenous shrubs in cafeteria-style trials. The shrubs represented the spectrum of woody plant architecture, ranging from broadleaved monopodial species through to small-leaved highly branched divaricates. Trials were stopped when almost all shoots of the plant expected to be most preferred had been consumed. There were considerable differences between the herbivores in their selection of certain plant species. Aristotelia fruticosa was avoided by deer, neutrally selected by goats, and preferred by ostriches. All herbivores strongly avoided two species, Pseudopanax crassifolius and Coprosma rugosa. Analysis of relative offtake (proportion of biomass consumed from each species, relative to total biomass consumed) showed that all three herbivores ate less of species with small leaves. Consumption by all herbivores was reduced by structural plant traits (i.e. divarication and related attributes) more than by chemical plant traits. The immediate impact of browsing on the plants, measured as the rank of proportion of shoots eaten, was broadly similar across the herbivores. The broadleaved species (e.g. Myrsine australis, Aristotelia serrata) experienced the greatest browsing, while divaricate (e.g. Coprosma rugosa) and conifer species (e.g. Podocarpus hallii) were generally least browsed. Although cafeteria-style experiments have limitations, our results for deer broadly correspond to those of field-based diet preference studies.
The aim of this project was to analyse existing wild deer research and identify specific research... more The aim of this project was to analyse existing wild deer research and identify specific research and evidence gaps which need to be addressed in order to meet the challenges for each of the five priorities outlined in Scotland's Wild Deer-A National Approach (WDNA). The project was developed to facilitate more effective exchange of knowledge and provide a fuller understanding of the issues involved in deer management and therefore help deliver targeted, informed and sustainable deer management in Scotland. This report complements the recently published Deer Management in Scotland: Report to the Scottish Government from Scottish Natural Heritage 2016. Gaps in the existing knowledge-base were identified by gathering the views of stakeholders at a series of workshops, through an online survey of researchers and policy makers, and through a review of published and unpublished research material. Workshops were run across Scotland, including four regional stakeholder workshops, one workshop for trainers, and one for researchers/policy makers. The uptake of research by stakeholders was also examined through the use of an on-line survey of researchers and policy makers. The information gained from the workshops, online survey and literature review were analysed to determine the key research and knowledge transfer gaps associated with each of the five WDNA priorities. As part of the project a web-based deer research resource was created that provides an online database of deer research relevant to the five WDNA priorities (www.deerscotland.info). Main findings Cross Cutting Themes: A number of themes and issues identified were relevant across all the WDNA priorities: • Improved communication, information sharing and conflict management are required in order to overcome challenges and mistrust, and facilitate understanding between the different perspectives of the many stakeholders. Building trust will improve the uptake of research and strengthen collaboration.
Photosensitisation diseases can cause production and animal welfare losses world-20 wide. In Nort... more Photosensitisation diseases can cause production and animal welfare losses world-20 wide. In North-West Europe a photosensitisation disease complex known as 'plochteach', 21 'yellowses', 'saut' and 'alveld' occurs in lambs on extensive pastures containing bog 22 asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum). Affected lambs develop lesions on the ears, face and 23 sometimes the back, with erythema, oedema, ulceration and necrosis that can be followed by 24 secondary infection and death. Adult sheep appear unaffected, the incidence in lambs varies 25 from year to year and there are variations in susceptibility between-and within-breeds. The 26 definitive cause remains uncertain although ingestion of N. ossifragum, which contains 27 hepatotoxic saponins, has been implicated in the aetiology. However, problems replicating the 28 disease complex by feeding N. ossifragum in a controlled environment have led to alternative 29 hypotheses, including possible intake of toxins from fungal spores and cyanobacteria. Further 30 research is required to assess the putative role of N. ossifragum, the scale of economic and 31 animal welfare losses associated with the disease, how best to identify affected animals before 32 external clinical signs appear and the treatment and management of clinical cases. Given the 33 challenges involved in isolating the causative agent(s) of plochteach, an animal breeding route 34 may be effective if heritability of resistance/susceptibility can be demonstrated.
Carabid (Coleoptera) assemblages in the Scottish uplands: the influence of sheep grazing on ecolo... more Carabid (Coleoptera) assemblages in the Scottish uplands: the influence of sheep grazing on ecological structure. -Entomol. Fennica 17: 229-240.
Survival and mortality of extensive hill ewes are important commercial factors and valuable indic... more Survival and mortality of extensive hill ewes are important commercial factors and valuable indicators of welfare, but difficult to study. Body condition scoring is a tried-and-tested management and monitoring tool, which has been defined as a good predictor of fitness in ewes and is easily measured under hill farm conditions. This paper presents the results of a study on ewe survival rates in hill conditions in Scotland. Ewe performance and survival rates were measured in two contrasting hill flocks over a five-year period. Statistical analysis showed that mid-pregnancy body condition score was the most reliable indicator of subsequent ewe survival, followed closely by age of the ewe and environmental and management conditions. This study confirms that there are considerable welfare issues related to hill flocks and that improved winter nutritional management is a key component to good welfare and productivity. It also reinforces the view that body condition score is a good quantitative predictor of animal welfare and that poor mid-winter score indicates high risk of mortality, both at the flock and individual ewe level.
Ratites (ostriches Struthio camelus ) and ungulates (red deer Cervus elaphus scoticus and goats C... more Ratites (ostriches Struthio camelus ) and ungulates (red deer Cervus elaphus scoticus and goats Capra hircus ) were presented with 14 indigenous shrubs in cafeteria- style trials. The shrubs represented the spectrum of woody plant architecture, ranging from broadleaved monopodial species through to small-leaved highly branched divaricates. Trials were stopped when almost all shoots of the plant expected to be
Expert opinion was sought on two issues relating to herbivory: seasonal sheep preferences for pla... more Expert opinion was sought on two issues relating to herbivory: seasonal sheep preferences for plant species and seasonal plant response to grazing. Expert opinion is commonly used to parameterize models: it is therefore important to assess its quality. Understanding the limitations of expert knowledge can allow prioritization of future research. Nine experts in plant or grazing ecology from Scotland/Northern England were individually interviewed. The experts ranked sheep preferences for species in four rangeland vegetation types and provided categorical information on plant response to grazing. For both issues, seasonal information was collected.
ABSTRACT The aims of this study were to examine the effect of three grazing treatments (year-roun... more ABSTRACT The aims of this study were to examine the effect of three grazing treatments (year-round stocking rates of 0·8 ewes ha−1, 0·5 ewes ha−1 and 0·5 ewes ha−1 plus grazing cattle in summer), imposed for 4 years, on the herbage mass and surface height of a Nardus stricta-dominated grassland in western Scotland and to obtain estimates of annual productivity of this grassland. Nardus stricta-dominated grassland comprised proportionately 0·20 of the grazing area. Stocking rate of sheep had no significant effect on the herbage mass of the grassland in the first 2 years of the experiment, although mean summer pasture heights were significantly higher under the lower stocking rate of sheep. The pasture on the treatment with cattle grazing in summer had a significantly lower herbage mass and lower surface height than the two sheep-only grazing treatments. Year-to-year variation in the herbage mass and surface height of herbage in summer was greater than the effect of treatments. Despite changes in surface height, the structural diversity of the grasslands was not increased by the treatments. The annual production of vascular plant material ranged from 417 g DM m−2 in 1994 to 628 g DM m−2 in 1996.
Abstract: Leaf functional traits have been proposed as general indicators of plant palatability t... more Abstract: Leaf functional traits have been proposed as general indicators of plant palatability to ungulate herbivores, identifying which species are likely to be most at risk from ungulates, and how ungulate grazing may change ecosystem processes. However, few studies have ...
This is the final draft of a manuscript published by Biological Conservation. Please cite as: Pol... more This is the final draft of a manuscript published by Biological Conservation. Please cite as: Pollock, M.L. et al. (2005) Impacts of livestock in regenerating upland birch woodlands in Scotland. Biological Conservation, 123(4), 443-452. Abstract Including large herbivores in wooded areas is often seen as a useful conservation tool. Browsing intensities on saplings in seven upland birch woodlands grazed by sheep, cattle and wild herbivores were studied. The aims were to determine whether tree regeneration could occur in the presence of livestock, particularly sheep, and the conditions under which stock can be grazed sustainably within woodlands.
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