Advantages and disadvantages of Polish primitive horse grazing on valuable nature areas – A review

Throughout the ages, the large herbivores have contributed to creation of the open and semi-open landscape of European meadows and pastures and have integrally fitted in with their later management. Therefore, the continuation of their foregoing, traditional and extensive management constitutes a prerequisite for further existence of numerous grassland ecosystems in Europe. Grazing, especially primitive breeds of cattle and horses is a process that constitutes an example of active protection tools used in non-forest ecosystems. Despite the rising popularity of - considered to be the last domesticated descendant of forest tarpan - Polish primitive horses (Koniks), still relatively little is known about their diet preferences and their impact on the structure and floristic composition of swards. The aim of this paper is to present the current knowledge on the usefulness and effectiveness of Koniks grazing in protected grassland communities, by assessing their grazing behaviour and grazing preferences, and discussing the benefits and threats connected with their reserve breeding. Koniks, kept even in a low stocking-rate, can play a significant role in the process of shaping the floristic diversity of the pastures by increasing the number of plant species and improving the utility value of the sward. Polish primitive horses bred in reserves successfully contribute to the reduction of undesirable species e.g. Phragmites australis. However during the vegetative season, Koniks grazing does not ensure a complete protection against secondary succession processes at most enclosure grasslands. Also their long term influence on the habitats is still unclear. Keywords: Secondary succession, Grassland management, Extensive grazing, Reserve breeding, Grassland protection

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC

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