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Cited by 67Soil Carbon and Nitrogen DynamicsPasture and Agricultural SystemsRangeland Management and Livestock Ecology

Impacts of Rotational Grazing on Soil Carbon in Native Grass-Based Pastures in Southern Australia

Open access
Sanderman, Jonathan, Reseigh, Jodie, Wurst, Michael, Young, Mary-Anne, Austin, Jenet·2015·PLOS ONE
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0136157PMC PMC4540585
Open this paper in CoChat — free accountOpen PDF

Abstract

Rotational grazing management strategies have been promoted as a way to improve the sustainability of native grass-based pasture systems. From disturbance ecology theory, rotational grazing relative to continuous grazing can increase pasture productivity by allowing vegetation to recover after short intense grazing periods. This project sought to assess whether soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks would also increase with adoption of rotational grazing management. Twelve pairs of rotationally and continuously grazed paddocks were sampled across a rainfall gradient in South Australia. Pasture productivity approximated as the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was on average no different between management categories, but when the data from all sites were aggregated as log response ratios (rotational/continuous) a significant positive trend of increasing NDVI under rotational grazing relative to continuous grazing was found (R2 = 0.52). Mean SOC stocks (0-30 cm) were 48.3 Mg C ha-1 with a range of 20-80 Mg C ha-1 across the study area with no differences between grazing management categories. SOC stocks were well correlated with rainfall and temperature (multiple linear regression R2 = 0.61). After removing the influence of climate on SOC stocks, the management variables, rest periods, stocking rate and grazing days, were found to be significantly correlated with SOC, explaining 22% of the variance in SOC, but there were still no clear differences in SOC stocks at paired sites. We suggest three reasons for the lack of SOC response. First, changes in plant productivity and turnover in low-medium rainfall regions due to changes in grazing management are small and slow, so we would only expect at best small incremental changes in SOC stocks. This is compounded by the inherent variability within and between paddocks making detection of a small real change difficult on short timescales. Lastly, the management data suggests that there is a gradation in implementation of rotational grazing and the use of two fixed categories (i.e. rotational v. continuous) may not be the most appropriate method of comparing diverse management styles.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

In 12 paired paddocks across South Australia, rotational grazing did not produce clear increases in soil organic carbon (SOC) relative to continuous grazing, despite some evidence of slowly increasing pasture productivity. Climate explained most SOC variation, while management variables explained only a small share after climate effects were removed.

Key findings

  • Mean SOC stocks (0–30 cm equivalent mass) were 48.9 ± 4.5, 49.4 ± 5.5, and 47.7 ± 11.7 Mg C ha⁻¹ for rotational, continuous, and native remnant sites, respectively, with no significant differences among management categories (ANOVA P = 0.926).
  • Pasture productivity measured as annual summed NDVI did not differ between rotational and continuous grazing overall (5.46 ± 0.82 vs. 5.55 ± 0.95; ANOVA F = 0.055, P = 0.82), but the log response ratio of NDVI showed a significant positive trend over time under rotational grazing (R² = 0.52).
  • Climate strongly controlled SOC: mean winter temperature and mean annual rainfall explained 61% of variance in SOC (R² = 0.61, ANOVA F = 19.99, P < 0.0001). After removing climate effects, rest periods, stocking rate, and grazing days explained 58% of residual SOC variance, equivalent to 22% of total SOC variance, but paired-site SOC differences remained unclear (mean LRR_SOC = 0.004 ± 0.058).
  • Native remnant sites had a greater proportion of particulate organic carbon (POC/SOC = 20.6 ± 5.0%) and higher C/N ratios (12.2 ± 1.4) than either grazing category (P = 0.005 and P = 0.001, respectively).

Methods

  • Twelve rotationally grazed paddocks were paired with nearby continuously grazed paddocks on similar soil type and landscape position across a rainfall gradient in South Australia; four native remnant vegetation sites were also sampled.
  • Soils were sampled to 50 cm in depth intervals, with six strata per paddock and four cores bulked per stratum; SOC stocks were converted to equivalent mass for the 0–30 cm layer, and POC, C/N, pH, EC, clay, and bulk density were measured or predicted.
  • Pasture productivity was estimated from MODIS NDVI, management histories were collected, and analyses included ANOVA, log response ratios, multivariate management ordination (PERMANOVA, PCO, cluster), correlation, and multiple linear regression.

Limitations

  • The paper states that changes in plant productivity and turnover in low–medium rainfall regions are small and slow, so only small incremental SOC changes would be expected, and inherent variability within and between paddocks makes detecting small real changes difficult on short timescales.
  • The paper states that rotational grazing implementation exists on a gradient, so using two fixed categories (rotational vs. continuous) may not be the most appropriate comparison and may mask real differences.
  • The paper notes that NDVI may underestimate true productivity, especially under high grazing pressure, potentially masking differences; it also acknowledges uncertainties in the absolute quality of some paired sites, and the conclusion states measurable SOC gains should not be expected in the short to medium term (<15 years).

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1371/journal.pone.0136157

Cites

51 of 51 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

4 of 42 cited sources checked · 3 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Premisecitation

    In the Briske et al. [21] review, only 3 of 23 studies found significantly higher plant production in rotational compared to continuously grazed treatments.

    “While the Briske et al. [21] review did not focus on soil properties, only 3 of 23 studies found significantly higher plant production in rotational compared to continuously grazed treatments.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [21] DD Briske, 2008, Rotational grazing on rangelands, reconciliation of perception and experimental evidence, Rangeland Ecol Manag source
  • Premisecitation

    Enhanced belowground microbial activity may result in greater stabilization of organic matter.

    “which may result in greater stabilization of organic matter [25].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [25] MF Cotrufo, 2013, The Microbial Efficiency-Matrix Stabilization (MEMS) framework integrates plant litter decomposition with soil organic matter stabilization: Do labile plant inputs form stable soil organic matter?, Global Change Biol source
  • Findingown data

    There were no differences in SOC stocks between grazing management categories at paired sites.

    “Mean SOC stocks (0–30 cm) were 48.3 Mg C ha-1 with a range of 20–80 Mg C ha-1 across the study area with no differences between grazing management categories.”
    • Also stated in: § Abstract · hedged
      “but there were still no clear differences in SOC stocks at paired sites”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The paired rotationally and continuously grazed paddocks are otherwise comparable in soil, landscape, climate and other factors, so differences in SOC can be attributed to grazing management.
    • Rests on an assumption: The 7–10 year minimum period is sufficient for SOC stocks to respond to changes in grazing management.
  • Findingown data

    Pasture productivity approximated as NDVI was on average no different between rotationally and continuously grazed paddocks.

    “Pasture productivity approximated as the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was on average no different between management categories”
    • Also stated in: § 3.2. Pasture productivity · plain
      “Pasture productivity, as assessed by the mean annual summed NDVI over the number of years of rotational grazing implementation, was no different between the two management classes (NDVIrotational = 5.46 ± 0.82, NDVIcontinuous = 5.55 ± 0.95, ANOVA F = 0.055, P = 0.82).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The paired rotationally and continuously grazed paddocks are otherwise comparable in soil, landscape, climate and other factors, so differences in SOC can be attributed to grazing management.
  • Findingown data

    When data from all sites were aggregated as log response ratios (rotational/continuous), there was a significant positive trend of increasing NDVI under rotational grazing relative to continuous grazing (R2 = 0.52).

    “but when the data from all sites were aggregated as log response ratios (rotational/continuous) a significant positive trend of increasing NDVI under rotational grazing relative to continuous grazing was found (R2 = 0.52)”
    • Also stated in: § 3.2. Pasture productivity · hedged
      “While the overall means did not show any patterns, when plotting mean LRRNDVI across time, there was a significant positive trend (Fig 3) suggesting that under rotational grazing productivity can increase relative to continuous grazing.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The paired rotationally and continuously grazed paddocks are otherwise comparable in soil, landscape, climate and other factors, so differences in SOC can be attributed to grazing management.
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 17
  • May combine two claims. 20

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The experimental evidence on the whole is decidedly mixed with many more studies reporting no demonstrable benefit of rotational grazing.

    “However, Briske et al. [21] stressed that the experimental evidence on a whole is decidedly mixed with many more studies reporting no demonstrable benefit of rotational grazing.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [21] DD Briske, 2008, Rotational grazing on rangelands, reconciliation of perception and experimental evidence, Rangeland Ecol Manag source

      The Results of Experimental Grazing Research report substantially more experiments finding no difference than an advantage for rotational grazing. But the Introduction describes the overall evidence as “clear and consistent,” not decidedly mixed: the paper concludes that rotational grazing is not superior to continuous grazing on rangelands. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Briske et al. [21] concluded that continued advocacy for rotational grazing as a superior strategy of grazing on rangelands is founded on perception and anecdotal interpretations, rather than an objective assessment of the vast experimental evidence.

    “In a recent synthesis of rotational grazing experimental research, Briske et al. [21] concluded that “continued advocacy for rotational grazing as a superior strategy of grazing on rangelands is founded on perception and anecdotal interpretations, rather than an objective assessment of the vast experimental evidence.””
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [21] DD Briske, 2008, Rotational grazing on rangelands, reconciliation of perception and experimental evidence, Rangeland Ecol Manag source

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    After removing the influence of climate on SOC stocks, the management variables rest periods, stocking rate and grazing days were significantly correlated with SOC, explaining 22% of the variance in SOC.

    “After removing the influence of climate on SOC stocks, the management variables, rest periods, stocking rate and grazing days, were found to be significantly correlated with SOC, explaining 22% of the variance in SOC”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The paired rotationally and continuously grazed paddocks are otherwise comparable in soil, landscape, climate and other factors, so differences in SOC can be attributed to grazing management.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Rest periods and stocking rate positively influenced SOCresiduals.

    “Inspection of this equation reveals that both rest periods and stocking rate, the two management variables that were positively associated with rotational grazing practices (Fig 2) positively influenced SOCresiduals suggesting that rotational grazing may be leading to marginal improvements in SOC.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Mean SOCeq stocks were 48.9 ± 4.5 Mg C ha-1 for rotationally grazed, 49.4 ± 5.5 Mg C ha-1 for continuously grazed, and 47.7 ± 11.7 Mg C ha-1 for remnant native vegetation.

    “Mean SOCeq stocks were 48.9 ± 4.5, 49.4 ± 5.5 and 47.7 ± 11.7 Mg C ha-1 (± 1 s.e.m.) for rotationally grazed, continuously grazed and remnant native vegetation, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    The second principal coordinate axis (PCO2) could explain 22% of the variance in LRRSOC.

    “Interestingly, the second principal coordinate axis (PCO2) could also explain 22% of the variance in LRRSOC (Fig 5C).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In a multiple linear regression, rest periods, stocking rate, and grazing days together explained 58% of the variance in the residuals of SOCeq (ANOVA F = 7.86, P = 0.002), with rest periods the only significant term (P < 0.05).

    “In a multiple linear regression, rest periods, stocking rate and grazing days could explain 58% of the variance in the residuals of SOCeq (ANOVA F = 7.86, P = 0.002) although the only significant term (P < 0.05) was rest periods.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    TWI was correlated with slope (R = 0.67, P < 0.001).

    “Slope, topographic wetness index (TWI) and topographic position index (TPI) were all correlated (TWI v. slope, R = 0.67, P < 0.001; TWI v. TPI, R = -0.68, P < 0.001).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    When only grazed paddocks were considered, TWI and rest periods added additional explanatory power to the regression (R2 = 0.72), but each variable only explained an additional 3-6% of the variance in SOCeq.

    “When only the grazed paddocks were considered, TWI and rest periods (average # of rest periods in a year) added additional explanatory power to the regression (R2 = 0.72) but each variable only explained an additional 3–6% of the variance in SOCeq.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Upland residual surfaces and upper slopes often contained Calcarosols while Red Chromosols were typically encountered on lower slopes and alluvial surfaces.

    “Upland residual surfaces and upper slopes often contained Calcarosols while Red Chromosols were typically encountered on lower slopes and alluvial surfaces.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    TWI was correlated with TPI (R = -0.68, P < 0.001).

    “Slope, topographic wetness index (TWI) and topographic position index (TPI) were all correlated (TWI v. slope, R = 0.67, P < 0.001; TWI v. TPI, R = -0.68, P < 0.001).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The two categories of grazing management separate out in principal coordinates analysis but there was variation in grazing variables across this management spectrum.

    “In a principal coordinates analysis (PCO) of these same data, it was clear that the two categories of grazing management separate out but that there was variation in grazing variables (e.g. stocking rate, length of rest period and number of grazing days/annum) across this management spectrum (Fig 2).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    SOC stocks were strongly correlated with temperature, rainfall, pasture productivity (NDVI), and topographic attributes related to wetness.

    “Indeed, there were strong correlations between SOC stocks and temperature, rainfall (Fig 4), pasture productivity (NDVI) and topographic attributes related to wetness (Table 2).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Rotational grazing is a carbon management strategy that is consistent with the protection of the natural environment and improves resilience to the impacts of climate change.

    “Rotational grazing is one such carbon management strategy that has an additional benefit in that it is seen as being consistent with the protection of the natural environment and improves resilience to the impacts of climate change [6].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [6] Australian Government (2011) Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011, C2011A00101.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Many of the reported benefits of rotational grazing, especially those related to pasture production, can translate into increases in SOC in rotationally grazed paddocks relative to continuously grazed paddocks because greater organic matter inputs to the soil will lead to greater SOC levels.

    “Many of the reported benefits of rotational grazing especially those related to pasture production can translate into increases in SOC in rotationally grazed paddocks relative to continuously grazed paddocks because, all else being equal, greater organic matter inputs to the soil will lead to greater SOC levels [22].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [22] R Amundson, 2001, The carbon budget in soils, Annu Rev Earth Planet Sci Lett source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Persistent groundcover resulting in decreased erosion has a two-fold SOC benefit: elimination of a direct loss pathway via eroded topsoil and maintenance of improved soil structure.

    “Persistent groundcover resulting in decreased erosion will have a two-fold SOC benefit–elimination of a direct loss pathway via eroded topsoil and maintenance of improved soil structure [23].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [23] A Chappell, 2012, The dynamics of soil redistribution and the implications for soil organic carbon accounting in agricultural south-eastern Australia, Glob Change Biol source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The management data suggests that there is a gradation in implementation of rotational grazing and the use of two fixed categories (i.e. rotational v. continuous) may not be the most appropriate method of comparing diverse management styles.

    “Lastly, the management data suggests that there is a gradation in implementation of rotational grazing and the use of two fixed categories (i.e. rotational v. continuous) may not be the most appropriate method of comparing diverse management styles.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Changes in plant productivity and turnover in low-medium rainfall regions due to changes in grazing management are small and slow, so at best small incremental changes in SOC stocks would be expected.

    “First, changes in plant productivity and turnover in low-medium rainfall regions due to changes in grazing management are small and slow, so we would only expect at best small incremental changes in SOC stocks.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    This transfer of SOC to the atmosphere represents an opportunity for managing current greenhouse gas emissions through carbon sequestration.

    “but also represents an opportunity for managing current greenhouse gas emissions through carbon sequestration [3].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [3] P Smith, 2004, Carbon sequestration in croplands: the potential in Europe and the global context, Eur J Agron source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Globally, agricultural soils have lost 42-78 Pg C relative to their pre-agricultural state.

    “Globally, it has been estimated that agricultural soils have lost 42–78 Pg C relative to their pre-agricultural state [1].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1] R Lal, 2004, Soil carbon sequestration impacts on global climate change and food security, Science source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    This transfer of SOC to the atmosphere is a major perturbation to the global carbon cycle.

    “This transfer of SOC to the atmosphere is a major perturbation to the global carbon cycle [2]”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [2] MU Kirschbaum, 2000, Will changes in soil organic carbon act as a positive or negative feedback on global warming?, Biogeochemistry source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisereasoning

    Rotational grazing relative to continuous grazing can increase pasture productivity by allowing vegetation to recover after short intense grazing periods.

    “From disturbance ecology theory, rotational grazing relative to continuous grazing can increase pasture productivity by allowing vegetation to recover after short intense grazing periods.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    This underestimation may be greatest under high grazing pressure, thus potentially masking real differences between grazing management.

    “This underestimation may be greatest under high grazing pressure, thus potentially masking real differences between grazing management.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    There is evidence that increasing grazing intensity may have different effects in C3 versus C4 dominated pastures.

    “Additionally, there is evidence that increasing grazing intensity may have different effects in C3 versus C4 dominated pastures [30].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [30] ME McSherry, 2013, Effects of grazing on grassland soil carbon, a global review, Glob Change Biol source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Allen et al. [27] found a small negative influence of stocking rate on SOC stocks.

    “Allen et al. [27] found a small negative influence of stocking rate on SOC stocks but no significant differences between grazing management styles in the rangelands of Queensland.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [27] DE Allen, 2013, What determines soil organic carbon stocks in the grazing lands of north-eastern Australia?, Soil Res source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The scientific literature is mixed on SOC responses to rotational grazing: some studies show positive responses, many show no significant difference, and a few suggest a slight negative response.

    “The scientific literature is decidedly mixed with some studies showing positive SOC responses to rotational grazing (e.g. [56], [57]), many showing no significant difference (e.g. [28], [29]) and a few suggesting a slight negative SOC response (e.g. [27], [58]).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [56] RT Conant, 2003, Land use effects on soil carbon fractions in the southeastern United States. I. Management-intensive versus extensive grazing, Biol Fert Soils source
    • cites [28] KY Chan, 2010, Soil carbon stocks under different pastures and pasture management in the higher rainfall areas of south-eastern Australia, Soil Res source
    • cites [27] DE Allen, 2013, What determines soil organic carbon stocks in the grazing lands of north-eastern Australia?, Soil Res source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The variance around that mean value was large and in many individual studies the data were insignificantly different between management categories.

    “However, the variance around that mean value was large and in many individual studies the data were insignificantly different between management categories [27], [28], [29].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [27] DE Allen, 2013, What determines soil organic carbon stocks in the grazing lands of north-eastern Australia?, Soil Res source
    • cites [28] KY Chan, 2010, Soil carbon stocks under different pastures and pasture management in the higher rainfall areas of south-eastern Australia, Soil Res source
    • cites [29] BR Wilson, 2013, Land-use and historical management effects on soil organic carbon in grazing systems on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Soil Res source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Chan et al. [28] found significantly higher SOC stocks in native and introduced pastures which had been improved with phosphorus often associated with the addition of legumes (grazing management controlled for).

    “Chan et al. [28] found significantly higher SOC stocks in native and introduced pastures which had been improved with phosphorus often associated with the addition of legumes (grazing management controlled for), but no significant differences in SOC between rotational and continuous grazing management in central and southern NSW.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [28] KY Chan, 2010, Soil carbon stocks under different pastures and pasture management in the higher rainfall areas of south-eastern Australia, Soil Res source

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Grazing pressure was either equal or slightly greater in the rotationally grazed pair at each site, so the NDVI surrogate for productivity is slightly biased towards the continuously grazed paddock in each pair.

    “Grazing pressure was either equal or slightly greater in the rotationally grazed pair at each site [35], so there is a chance that our NDVI surrogate for productivity is slightly biased towards the continuously grazed paddock in each pair.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [35] Sanderman J, Reseigh J, Wurst M, Austin J (2014) Soil carbon in native grass-based pastures under different grazing management practices in South Australia. v1. CSIRO. Data Collection. 10.4225/08/53B0EC7D91D4B source
    • Rests on an assumption: Landholder records, observations and discussions accurately reflect the actual current and previous management of individual paddocks.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    For most management techniques in grasslands, average relative gains in SOC in the 0-0.3 m horizon are of the order of 1-2% per year, corresponding to average sequestration rates of 0.3 Mg C ha-1 yr-1.

    “In a global meta-analysis, Conant et al. [26] suggested that for most management techniques in grasslands, such as fertilization and improvement of grazing management, average relative gains in SOC in the 0–0.3 m horizon are of the order of 1–2% per year, corresponding to average sequestration rates of 0.3 Mg C ha-1 yr-1.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [26] RT Conant, 2001, Grassland management and conversion into grassland: effects on soil carbon, Ecol App source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Converting all SOC stocks to an equivalent mass basis minimizes any potential difference in SOC stocks due to differences in sampling volume to a fixed depth.

    “In order to minimize any potential difference in SOC stocks due to differences in sampling volume to a fixed depth, we converted all SOC stocks to an equivalent mass basis (SOCeq) [51].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [51] RM Gifford, 2003, Soil carbon stocks and bulk density: spatial or cumulative mass coordinates as a basis of expression?, Global Change Biol source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Productivity has been found to increase through the implementation of rotational grazing, from both a pasture and livestock production perspective, although the experimental evidence is mixed.

    “Productivity has been found to increase through the implementation of rotational grazing, from both a pasture and livestock production perspective, although the experimental evidence is mixed [20].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [20] P Sanford, 2003, SGS Pasture Theme, effect of climate, soil factors and management on pasture production and stability across the high rainfall zone of southern Australia, Aust J Exp Agr source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Improvements in pasture productivity with rotational grazing have been attributed to enhanced growth and survival of plant species, increased herbage production, and greater perennial grass content and basal area through regeneration of plants.

    “Improvements in pasture productivity with rotational grazing have been attributed to enhanced growth and survival of plant species [12], [13], increased herbage production [10], [18], [55], and greater perennial grass content and basal area through regeneration of plants [11], [19], [20].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [12] Fitzgerald RD, Lodge GM (1997) Grazing management of temperate pastures, literature reviews and grazing guidelines for major species. NSW Agriculture. Technical Bulletin No. 47.

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [13] GM Lodge, 1985, The manipulation of species composition of natural pastures by grazing management on the northern slopes of New South Wales, Aust Rangeland J source
    • cites [10] WR Teague, 2013, Multi-paddock grazing on rangelands, Why the perceptual dichotomy between research results and rancher experience, J Environ Manage source
33 of 33

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The paired rotationally and continuously grazed paddocks are otherwise comparable in soil, landscape, climate and other factors, so differences in SOC can be attributed to grazing management.

    “a nearby continuously grazed paddock could also be identified that was located on the same soil type and landscape position”
    “This study was set up to assess pairs of grazing management strategies as to minimize covariates at each location.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Landholder records, observations and discussions accurately reflect the actual current and previous management of individual paddocks.

    “The management history is based on landholder records, observations and discussions about their current and previous management of individual paddocks where possible.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The 7–10 year minimum period is sufficient for SOC stocks to respond to changes in grazing management.

    “The 7–10 year minimum time period should allow for pasture composition to stabilize as species sensitive to the change in regime could have been lost from the species assemblage following a change in grazing management [34].”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Gains in plant productivity and root turnover to the soil are the most likely reasons that rotational grazing may lead to greater SOC stocks.

    “Given that gains in plant productivity and root turnover to the soil are the most likely reasons that rotational grazing may lead to greater SOC stocks, the fact that so few studies have found gains in production suggest that gains in SOC may be the exception rather than the rule.”
4 of 4

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Rest periods are defined as both days and a count

    Minor

    The results define "rest periods" once as days of rest per year and elsewhere as the average number of rest periods per year. These are different management variables, making it unclear which was used in the reported analyses.

  • Equivalent-mass adjustment is reversed

    Minor

    A core with less than the target soil mass in its 0-30 cm layer cannot reach that target by using only a fraction of the layer. It would need soil from below 30 cm; the paper instead assigns that procedure to cores above the target mass. This affects how the reported SOC stocks are calculated.

2 of 2

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. D Fitzgerald, 2000, Glossary of grazing management terms, Prograzier Autumn, 14
  2. Fitzgerald RD, Lodge GM (1997) Grazing management of temperate pastures, literature reviews and grazing guidelines for major species. NSW Agriculture. Technical Bulletin No. 47.
  3. J Sanderman, 2014, FTRG Project 53 Native perennial vegetation, building stable soil carbon and farm resilience, A report to the Australian Department of Agriculture

Cited by

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Related

Authors
Sanderman, J., Reseigh, J., Wurst, M., Young, M.-A., & Austin, J.
Affiliations
  • Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (AU)
  • Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (AU)
ORCID
Venue
PLOS ONE
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Published
2015-08-18
Volume
10
Issue
8
Pages
e0136157
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0136157
PMC
PMC4540585
OpenAlex
W1771018704
Semantic Scholar
995c67629083a027802def7c328e4e8cc0405d50
Cited by
67
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 4
FWCI
4.48
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Forestry › Pasture and Agricultural Systems
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law › Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
Keywords
rotational grazing, continuous grazing, soil organic carbon, native grass pastures, grazing management, pasture productivity, NDVI, precipitation gradient, stocking rate, disturbance ecology, carbon sequestration, South Australia
MeSH terms
Animals, Animal Feed, Animal Husbandry, Carbon, Climate, Seasons, Soil, South Australia, Grassland

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-23.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-23.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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