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Holistic Management : Misinformation on the Science of Grazed Ecosystems
Joint Authors
O’Brien, Mary
Ratner, Jonathan
Carter, John
Wuerthner, George
Jones, Allison
Source
International Journal of Biodiversity
Issue
Vol. 2014, Issue 2014 (31 Dec. 2014), pp.1-10, 10 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2014-04-23
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
10
Main Subjects
Natural & Life Sciences (Multidisciplinary)
Biology
Abstract EN
Over 3 billion hectares of lands worldwide are grazed by livestock, with a majority suffering degradation in ecological condition.
Losses in plant productivity, biodiversity of plant and animal communities, and carbon storage are occurring as a result of livestock grazing.
Holistic management (HM) has been proposed as a means of restoring degraded deserts and grasslands and reversing climate change.
The fundamental approach of this system is based on frequently rotating livestock herds to mimic native ungulates reacting to predators in order to break up biological soil crusts and trample plants and soils to promote restoration.
This review could find no peer-reviewed studies that show that this management approach is superior to conventional grazing systems in outcomes.
Any claims of success due to HM are likely due to the management aspects of goal setting, monitoring, and adapting to meet goals, not the ecological principles embodied in HM.
Ecologically, the application of HM principles of trampling and intensive foraging are as detrimental to plants, soils, water storage, and plant productivity as are conventional grazing systems.
Contrary to claims made that HM will reverse climate change, the scientific evidence is that global greenhouse gas emissions are vastly larger than the capacity of worldwide grasslands and deserts to store the carbon emitted each year.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Carter, John& Jones, Allison& O’Brien, Mary& Ratner, Jonathan& Wuerthner, George. 2014. Holistic Management : Misinformation on the Science of Grazed Ecosystems. International Journal of Biodiversity،Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-450916
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Carter, John…[et al.]. Holistic Management : Misinformation on the Science of Grazed Ecosystems. International Journal of Biodiversity No. 2014 (2014), pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-450916
American Medical Association (AMA)
Carter, John& Jones, Allison& O’Brien, Mary& Ratner, Jonathan& Wuerthner, George. Holistic Management : Misinformation on the Science of Grazed Ecosystems. International Journal of Biodiversity. 2014. Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-450916
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-450916