Because N is lost if not taken up when available, and lost as water
pollution, we need a mix of species that function during as much of the year
as possible. In my observation, the most complete system is the native
prairie, which is not merely a spatial mosaic of plants, but a temporal
mosaic, with plants occupying almost the same space but putting on growth at
different seasons. Obvioulsy this was designed, in part , to absorb as much
resource as possible, moisture, nutrient, sunlight, etc.
My goal in pasture management is 1) to work with native species which are
present and 2) to supplement (since my prairie has only a few thousand years
of evolutin) with species that can function in the same interlocking way.
For Mother Earth, Dan Hemenway, Yankee Permaculture Publications (since
1982), Elfin Permaculture workshops, lectures, Permaculture Design Courses,
consulting and permaculture designs (since 1981), and now correspondence
permaculture training by email. Copyright, 1996, Dan & Cynthia Hemenway, P.O.
Box 2052, Ocala FL 34478 USA YankeePerm@aol.com
We don't have time to rush.