What role do legumes play in improving pasture resilience?

Legumes play a significant role in improving pasture resilience primarily because they enhance biodiversity. By incorporating legumes into pastures, farmers can diversify the plant community, which promotes a healthier ecosystem. A diverse plant population can lead to greater resilience against pests, diseases, and environmental stresses, such as drought or flooding.

Legumes are nitrogen-fixing plants, meaning they have the unique ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants. This process enriches the soil and can improve the overall health of the pasture, allowing for better growth of both legumes and other grasses. Increased biodiversity from legumes can also support a wider range of soil microbes and beneficial organisms, further contributing to pasture resilience.

While other options refer to characteristics that may negatively impact pasture health, such as pest habitats, disease susceptibility, and light requirements, these do not reflect the positive contributions that legumes make to pasture ecosystems. By enhancing biodiversity, legumes ultimately support a more robust and resilient pasture system.