Diversified vegetation types on rangelands promote multiple soil-based ecosystem services

Rangelands have the potential to be provisioners of ecosystem services, including livestock products, carbon storage and greenhouse gas regulation, water and nutrient cycling, wildlife habitat, and biodiversity. Due to their vast extent and landscape heterogeneity, the degree to which different ecological components of rangelands contribute to ecosystem services can be varied. Soils are the foundation of rangeland health and associated ecosystem services. While many studies have examined the effect of grazing intensity on rangeland ecosystem services, few studies have looked at the broader rangeland landscape and how managing varying vegetation types can influence soil-based ecosystem services. In this study, a suite of physical, chemical, and biological soil health indicators were measured in various vegetation types found within a working cattle ranch, including coastal live oak woodlands, coastal scrublands, annual grassland, and restored native perennial grassland. Based on the measured soil health indicators, results from this study show scrubland significantly diverges from other vegetation types, having higher water infiltration and plant available water, carbon stocks, and a more diverse microbial community that drives more dynamic cycling of carbon and nitrogen. Strategically maintaining scrubland on unproductive, highly erosive slopes downgradient of highly productive grassland areas could maintain forage production while protecting water quality and increasing carbon storage. These results highlight the relevance of holistically evaluating rangeland operations to assess soil function and ecosystem services and the potential risks and co-benefits of varying vegetation types. Ultimately, process-based linkages described here may provide a working example of how to manage ranches as functional mosaics of strategically maintained vegetation types.

Automated summary

Rangelands have the potential to provide various ecosystem services, but the contribution of different vegetation types to these services can vary. This study found that scrubland significantly differs from other vegetation types, with higher water infiltration and plant available water, carbon stocks, and a more diverse microbial community. Maintaining scrubland on unproductive slopes can help maintain forage production, protect water quality, and increase carbon storage. Evaluating rangeland operations and managing different vegetation types is important in assessing soil function and ecosystem services.