Title:	Pasture quality indicators for classifying degradation levels in Cachoeiras de Macacu – RJ.
Authors:	AZEVEDO, C. F. e O. DONAGEMMA, G. K. PIMENTEL, R. M.
Affiliation:	CLARA FONTES E OLIVEIRA AZEVEDO, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL FLUMINENSE; GUILHERME KANGUSSU DONAGEMMA, CNPS; RÓBERSON MACHADO PIMENTEL, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL FLUMINENSE.
Date Issued:	2025
Citation:	In: WORKSHOP ON BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING, 11., 2025, Niterói. Proceedings [...]. Niterói: AGRHA Consulting, 2025. p. 83-88. WEB 11.0.
Description:	Identifying practical, low-cost indicators for diagnosing pasture degradation is crucial for the sustainability of Brazilian livestock farming. This challenge is especially relevant in humid tropical regions, such as Cachoeiras de Macacu, RJ, where extensive livestock farming occurs in hillside areas on clayey Red-Yellow Latosols. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of vegetative indicators in characterizing different levels of degradation in pastures established under these edaphoclimatic conditions. The assessments were conducted in areas of Urochloa humidicola subjected to three levels of degradation (mild, moderate, and severe), previously defined by visual assessment as proposed by Spain and Gualdrón (1991). Each plot measured 500 m², with height and cover assessed at 50 points distributed throughout the plot. Biomass was assessed by cutting five samples into 0.25 m² squares arranged in a diagonal transect. Forage cover was 97.5% (N1), 76.0% (N2), and 58.5% (N3), associated with an increase in weeds and exposed soil. Pasture height decreased significantly (ANOVA, p = 0.018), ranging from 33 cm (N1) to 4 cm (N3). Biomass followed the same pattern (ANOVA, p = 0.0177), with 3,224, 1,504, and 808 kg DM/ha, respectively. Pearson's correlation showed a strong positive association between height, biomass, and cover (r = 0.94; r = 0.73) and a negative association with weeds and exposed soil (r = -0.87). We conclude that height, biomass, and soil cover are accessible and effective indicators for monitoring pasture degradation, providing valuable input for management decision-making and enabling interventions before the degradation process reaches severe stages.
Thesagro:	Biomassa Latossolo Degradação Ambiental Pastagem
NAL Thesaurus:	Biomass Urochloa humidicola
Keywords:	Degraded pasture Soil cover rate Pasture height Degradation indicators Latossol
Type of Material:	Artigo em anais e proceedings
Access:	openAccess
Appears in Collections:	Artigo em anais de congresso (CNPS)