Enhancing nourishment of land and livestock in agricultural landscapes with edible woody vegetation

Abstract

Integrating edible woody vegetation within agricultural landscapes creates a diverse diet for livestock by increasing nutrients, prophylactics, and pharmaceutical properties and enhancing overall ecosystem services. This study aimed to create a methodology to select plants native to Aotearoa New Zealand and propose their spatial integration within a place-based case study, to enhance the nourishment of livestock, while also providing vital shade and shelter, and native bird habitat. The methodology developed resulted in the selection of 68 suitable native species of edible woody vegetation. Each species was then assigned a series of scores based on reported levels of palatability to livestock, tolerance to defoliation, growth rates and toxic elements within the plant. The species were then ranked to find the most suitable plants for inclusion within the farm. These plants were then distributed spatially, through corridor and in-field patch strategies on the case study site. Spatially determined by the farm’s environmental and functional opportunities and constraints, woody vegetation was integrated across the farm with the goal of providing optimal livestock nourishment. The results of the research show that through the strategic spatial integration of edible woody vegetation in agricultural landscapes, diversity in livestock diets can be enhanced, improving the nourishment opportunity for livestock, while also enhancing opportunities for shade and shelter, bird habitat and overall ecosystem health in agricultural landscapes.