Optimising management practices to secure grassland agroecosystems' sustainability

Abstract

Globally, the escalating and diverse pressures on natural and modified ecosystems urgently necessitate a paradigm shift in agricultural practices. In this new paradigm enhancing soil health and biodiversity is pivotal to guarantee global food security. Traditional agricultural systems, while effective historically, have shown limitations in sustaining productivity and ecological balance under contemporary societal challenges. This is especially true for grassland agroecosystems, which are vital for sustainable agriculture due to their ability to improve soil health, sequester carbon, and support biodiversity. Grassland farming, integrating grasses and legumes, offers multifaceted benefits, such as reducing soil and water erosion, providing high-quality livestock feed, enhancing soil fertility, and facilitating carbon sequestration. These advantages are critical for ensuring the productivity, sustainability, and resilience of agroecosystems, particularly in the face of climate change. This Research Topic aims to address the urgent need for optimized management practices in grassland agroecosystems to ensure sustainable agriculture and efficient resource use. The focus includes strategies like how management of grassland forage genetic diversity, grazing-density, and fertilizer application can help mitigate climate and environmental change and augment soil microbial diversity, tolerance, and soil function. This Research Topic seeks to answer critical questions on the adaptability and resilience of these systems.