Vegetational and Pedological Characterization of a Grazing Land in Central Sardinia and First Proposals for Improvement and Rational Use

Sardinia’s grazing lands are characterized by a wide variety of vegetable species whose presence and frequency are determined by environmental and anthropic factors; they are widespread throughout the land and involve pedological types with quite variable physical, chemical and hydrological characteristics. A floristic and agronomic study of grazing lands is thus fundamental in putting them to best use and protecting resources. A pedological and vegetational study was carried out on a hilly grazing land in central Sardinia in the Marghine-Planargia region, characterized by frequent phenomena of waterlogging. The floristic analysis revealed three well-defined vegetational facies in connection with the same number of situations defined by pedological properties. Facies A presents the highest grazing value (50.6). Facies B and, in particular, facies C, connected with grazing areas affected by waterlogging caused by peculiar soil physical and structural features, have lower grazing values (39.1 and 38.6 respectively), but still high owing to the presence of species having good pasture value. A detailed analysis of hydrodynamic characteristics revealed the moisture limits to be considered for the proper use of the soil as pasture land. In such areas, simple works to favour the outflow of excess water would lengthen the grazing period, with the consequent increase in their agronomic value.