Some Physiological Responses of Native Sheep Breeds to Environmental Conditions during Grazing in Natura 2000 Habitats

Monika Greguła-Kania, Paulina Nazar (), Mariusz Kulik, Krzysztof Patkowski, Agata Hahaj-Siembida and Andrzej Junkuszew
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Monika Greguła-Kania: Department of Animal Breeding and Agricultural Consulting, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Paulina Nazar: Department of Animal Breeding and Agricultural Consulting, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Mariusz Kulik: Department of Grassland and Landscape Forming, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 15, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Krzysztof Patkowski: Department of Animal Breeding and Agricultural Consulting, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Agata Hahaj-Siembida: Department of Preclinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 15, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Andrzej Junkuszew: Department of Animal Breeding and Agricultural Consulting, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-12

Abstract: The calcareous xerothermic grasslands of the Festuco-Brometea class are among the most endangered Natura 2000 sites in Europe. The greatest threats include a lack of grazing, secondary succession, and invasive alien and expansive native species. The abandonment of such grasslands is caused by the low nutritional value of biomass, as well as by difficult habitat conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the physiological responses of native sheep breeds to hard environmental conditions when grazing in Natura 2000 habitats and to confirm the hypothesis that native sheep of the Świniarka and Uhruska breeds can be used to protect valuable natural habitats. The analysed grasslands were characterised by very difficult climatic and edaphic conditions and a low fodder value for sheep. Grazing in environmentally valuable areas, sometimes poor in fodder, did not adversely affect the welfare of grazed sheep. In both the Uhruska and Świniarka breeds, there were no indicators for heat or nutritional stress, but physiological changes were observed in the animals’ adaptation to new environmental conditions. Despite poor fodder positions, Świniarka sheep improved their condition and body weight. Fluctuations in indicators showing an adaptation process were also visible.

Keywords: Świniarka breed; Uhruska breed; Festuco-Brometea class; calcareous xerothermic grasslands (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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