Which way of grazing helps the soil more?
Soil quality under rotational and conventional grazing in Mediterranean areas at desertification risk.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
No significant difference in microbial biomass or diversity despite large gains in soil carbon and nitrogen.
It’s commonly believed that improved soil health goes hand-in-hand with increased microbial life, but this wasn’t observed here.
Practical Takeaways
Farmers in dry regions could consider switching to rotational grazing to improve soil carbon and nutrient retention.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
No significant difference in microbial biomass or diversity despite large gains in soil carbon and nitrogen.
It’s commonly believed that improved soil health goes hand-in-hand with increased microbial life, but this wasn’t observed here.
Practical Takeaways
Farmers in dry regions could consider switching to rotational grazing to improve soil carbon and nutrient retention.
Publication
Journal
Journal of environmental management
Year
2025
Authors
H. Ishaq, Eleonora Grilli, R. D’Ascoli, M. Mastrocicco, A. Rutigliano, R. Marzaioli, S. Strumia, Elio Coppola, Iseult Malrieu, Filipe Silva, Simona Castaldi
Related Content
Claims (4)
If you keep chickens on the same pasture all the time without rotating it, the soil gets worse, the grass doesn't grow as well, and there are fewer bugs and plants for the chickens to eat.
Rotating where animals graze helps the soil stay healthier in dry areas — it boosts carbon, nitrogen, and the soil's ability to hold water compared to letting animals graze the same spot all the time.
Healthy soil in dry Mediterranean pastures depends a lot on carbon from old plants and microbes — the more of it there is, the better the soil holds water, cycles nutrients, and supports helpful fungi and nitrogen release.
In dry Mediterranean grasslands, rotating animals between pastures doesn’t seem to make the soil’s tiny life or structure any different than leaving them in one spot all the time — even though other soil traits do change.