Project funded
by theEU–DGEnvironment
L
and
surfacerelevant
forapplication
Artificial surface
Agriculture land
Forest and semi-natural areas
Wetlands
F
inancialcosts
(C
apital
,
operation
&
maintenance
)
The measure does not imply direct capital or maintenance costs. But if reductions
in stocking density are offset by increased housing then costs may be incurred.
For cattle capital costs might range from €860 to €2500 per head for a straw
bedded solid floor house.
D
esign
Reduced livestock density can be combined with measures on Meadows and
Pastures and Controlled traffic farming (to reduce soil compaction on pastures).
S
cale
This measure operates at field/farm scale.
Livestock, particularly heavy species such as cattle, can have damaging impacts on soil: compaction, destruction of soil structure and loss of vegetation. These can
reduce infiltration, resulting in pooling and water logging with impacts of denitrification. Soil compaction also increases the risk of runoff with consequent impacts
on water quality and flood risks. Reduced stocking density will
limit soil
compaction, thereby facilitating more rapid infiltration during precipitation events and
potentially reducing peak flows and sediment runoff.
Casestudies:RestorationofWetlands in theWesternLowlandAreaof theDümmerLake,Germany
AGRICULTURE
©
S
R
U
C
