In general, intensively used pasture soils are more compacted than intensively used meadow soils, and the compaction zone is more concentrated in the topsoil. This is primarily due to the higher soil pressure from livestock trampling and the more frequent pressure loads from intensive grazing compared to driving on grassland machinery.
Bioindicators
Creeping buttercup, broadleaf plantain, and annual bluegrass are the best bioindicators of soil compaction in permanent grassland. Soil compaction indicators are predominantly low-growing, leafy, creeping and rosette plants. If soil compaction indicators spread extensively within the plant community, yield decreases and the grassland soil becomes damaged by compaction.
Broadleaf plantain, annual bluegrass and creeping buttercup
(Photos: Bohner, A.)
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