Grassland Research最新文献

{"title":"Climate change effects on biomass and greenhouse gas emissions are ameliorated by nontoxic endophytes in southeastern USA transition zone tall fescue pastures","authors":"Rebecca K. McGrail,&nbsp;Jonathan D. Moore,&nbsp;A. Elizabeth Carlisle,&nbsp;Jim A. Nelson,&nbsp;Rebecca L. McCulley","doi":"10.1002/glr2.70042","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/glr2.70042","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The plant–microbe interaction between tall fescue and its endophyte <i>Epichloë coenophiala</i> can affect ecosystem responses to changing rainfall patterns and increasing temperatures. Endophyte-infected (E+) stands often exhibit improved stress tolerance and differing soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to endophyte-free (E−) stands. However, it is unknown if mammalian nontoxic endophyte (NTE) strains introduced into some tall fescue cultivars confer differing stress tolerances or reduce soil GHG emissions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We quantified the impact of fescue-NTE symbioses in Jesup and Texoma on biomass and GHG emissions in response to increased temperature (+3°C) and altered precipitation (50% lengthened interval between events) using a factorial design in the United States southeastern transition zone over 2 consecutive years (2016–2017).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Endophyte infection increased aboveground biomass 24% across years, whereas heat decreased aboveground biomass 17% across tall fescue cultivars and years. Endophyte infection reduced CO₂ emissions under both ambient (for Jesup) and heated conditions (for Texoma), but endophyte infection also increased NH₃ volatilization for Texoma (no effect for Jesup), especially under the hottest and driest treatment.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Fescue-NTE symbioses may improve pasture resiliency with projected climate change for the study region.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":100593,"journal":{"name":"Grassland Research","volume":"5 2","pages":"157-168"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/glr2.70042","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148357984","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transformative changes of pastoral livestock production and its consequences on the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau","authors":"Chunhui Zhang,&nbsp;Junbang Wang,&nbsp;Liang Zhao,&nbsp;Shixiao Xu,&nbsp;Xiaoli Wang,&nbsp;Xinquan Zhao","doi":"10.1002/glr2.70041","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/glr2.70041","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The Qinghai–Xizang Plateau is a critical grassland region for China's ecological security and sustainable pastoral development. Its grassland animal husbandry currently confronts systemic challenges: extreme seasonal nutritional imbalance in forage, multi‑type consumer co‑grazing competition involving livestock, wild ungulates, rodents, and phytophagous insects, escalating ecology–production–livelihood tensions, and ongoing climate change. To address these challenges, this perspective proposes a framework for achieving high-quality development of ecological conservation-oriented grassland animal husbandry. The core objective is to shift from the singular pursuit of production efficiency to the integrated enhancement of both production and ecological functions. The main innovations of this work lie in (1) a multidimensional carrying capacity framework that integrates grass–livestock balance, protein balance, multi‑type consumer dynamics, and fodder supplement capacity; (2) a high‑yield, high‑quality cultivated grassland technology system to overcome seasonal nutrient deficits; and (3) three regional transformation models: the Hainan Prefecture Model focusing on synergy between ecological restoration and clean energy, the Biodiversity Conservation+ Model combining technology and multi‑stakeholder governance, and the Three‑Grassland‑Type Coupling Model for spatial optimization of nature reserve, livestock grazing, and cultivated grasslands. The resulting systematic pathway supports a sustainable development paradigm that harmonizes ecological security, resource efficiency, and socioeconomic benefits for the Plateau and similar alpine pastoral regions worldwide.</p>","PeriodicalId":100593,"journal":{"name":"Grassland Research","volume":"5 1","pages":"35-43"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/glr2.70041","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147684048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evolutionary patterns and structural divergence of CENH3 in legumes: Implications for haploid induction breeding","authors":"Jialiang Zhou,&nbsp;Kai Wang","doi":"10.1002/glr2.70037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/glr2.70037","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The centromeric histone variant CENH3 is crucial for chromosome segregation and haploid induction in plants, yet its evolutionary patterns in legumes remain poorly characterized.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We investigated CENH3 phylogeny and molecular evolution across legumes, focusing on <i>Vicia</i> using phylogenetic reconstruction, sequence alignment, and evolutionary selection analyses.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our phylogenetic reconstruction delineated legume species into two major clades (A and B) and revealed a profound contrast between the hypervariable N-terminal tail and the highly conserved histone fold domain (HFD). Within the HFD, the CENP-A targeting domain (CATD) exhibited absolute functional constraint, while the N-terminus demonstrated remarkable evolutionary plasticity. In the genus <i>Vicia</i>, although the exon-intron structure was entirely conserved, substantial sequence polymorphism was identified. Comparative analysis between <i>Vicia sativa</i> L. and <i>Vicia villosa</i> Roth. highlighted species-specific epitope divergence alongside conserved centromere localization. Evolutionary analyses revealed that CENH3 is predominantly under purifying selection, with localized positive selection in specific lineages, whereas canonical H3 exhibited a binary selection pattern dependent on phylogenetic distance.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our findings elucidate the evolutionary dynamics of CENH3 in legumes and identify the highly conserved yet functionally distinct CATD as a promising, specific target for developing efficient haploid induction systems through genome editing.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":100593,"journal":{"name":"Grassland Research","volume":"5 1","pages":"12-23"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/glr2.70037","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147683325","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Human appreciation of flower colours as cultural ecosystem service in grasslands: A methodological approach","authors":"Marco Bianchini,&nbsp;Matteo Francioni,&nbsp;Giulio Tesei,&nbsp;Marina Allegrezza,&nbsp;Paride D'Ottavio","doi":"10.1002/glr2.70038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/glr2.70038","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Grasslands provide key ecosystem services (ES), and yet, the cultural value linked to flower colour remains poorly quantified. This study presents a literature-based approach to estimate human appreciation of flower colours in grassland as a cultural ES.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We introduce a flower colour appreciation value (FCAp value) that combines a flower colour appreciation index (FCAp index) with species abundances and flower colour area (FCAr). Four supramontane grasslands in Monti Sibillini (central Italy)—<i>Bromopsis erecta</i> Huds., <i>Carex macrolepis</i> DC., <i>Sesleria nitida</i> Ten. and <i>Sesleria juncifolia</i> Suffren—were selected, representing continuous and discontinuous grassland types.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>FCAp values peaked between May and July. Continuous <i>B. erecta</i> grasslands showed the highest values, while discontinuous <i>S. juncifolia</i> showed the lowest values. Green provided the largest contribution to total appreciation, whereas secondary colours (pink, yellow, purple and white) varied among grasslands. Blue, despite a high FCAp index, had limited influence due to low abundance and reduced FCAr.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Inherent limitations related to the colour appreciation scale and phenological uncertainty leave room for refinement: this rapid and standardised method provides a valid alternative to resource-intensive field campaigns, particularly in remote or rugged study areas. It complements remote-sensing and valuation approaches, enhances assessment of cultural ES and supports integration of landscape aesthetic values into grassland management and ES bundles.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":100593,"journal":{"name":"Grassland Research","volume":"5 1","pages":"56-72"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/glr2.70038","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147683619","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impacts of tillage on soil properties and interactions with drainage when reseeding permanent pasture","authors":"Tersur T. Akpensuen,&nbsp;Charlie Morten,&nbsp;Andrew Mead,&nbsp;Martin S. A. Blackwell,&nbsp;Jonathan Storkey,&nbsp;M. Jordana Rivero","doi":"10.1002/glr2.70033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/glr2.70033","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Grassland reseeding typically requires intensive tillage. This disrupts soil nutrient dynamics, especially under varying drainage conditions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study evaluated the combined effects of tillage legacy, drainage and soil depth on key soil properties within a long-term grassland experiment. Treatments compared two no-tillage durations (5 years of no tillage, 5YNT; 30 years of no tillage, 30YNT), two drainage systems (drained and undrained) and two depths (0–10 and 10–30 cm) following reseeding. Total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and pH were measured.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Significant three-way interactions were detected for all variables. At 0–10 cm, undrained 30YNT plots showed 69% greater TC and 66.9% higher TP than the lowest values recorded in 5YNT × drained combinations at 10–30 cm. TN followed a similar pattern, with substantial enrichment under long-term no-tillage. Reseeding reduced TC, TN and TP within 5 years, particularly in surface soils, with the largest proportional losses in undrained plots where nutrient concentrations had been high prior to tillage.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Findings highlight the importance of conserving long-term no-tillage systems to enhance nutrient retention and promote sustainable grassland productivity. Conventional tillage of nutrient-rich pastures should be avoided to prevent major nutrient losses.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":100593,"journal":{"name":"Grassland Research","volume":"5 1","pages":"73-77"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/glr2.70033","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147683803","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Key soil health indicators under humid grazing lands","authors":"Alan J. Franzluebbers","doi":"10.1002/glr2.70036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/glr2.70036","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Soil health describes critical soil functions influenced by land management. Although some key soil characteristics are inherent (such as texture, mineralogy, and landscape position), there are other soil properties and processes that are altered by land management (such as soil organic matter, nutrient concentrations, and the capacity to infiltrate and store water) to form the basis of soil health evaluation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This perspective overview of soil health in humid grazing lands focused on key soil health attributes that should be considered to evaluate the sustainability of forage and grazing lands. Soil compaction, nutrient concentrations, and organic matter, along with their biological fractions, were emphasized.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Soil bulk density is commonly measured to assess soil compaction. Density often increases with stocking rate, but it can be moderated by the accumulation of surface-soil organic C and N. Many soil nutrients are concentrated near the soil surface, but soil type and management can influence these distributions. Soil-test biological activity increases with time in forage management systems and is often greater with grazing than haying due to livestock excretal return to soil. Root-zone enrichment of soil organic C was enhanced under grasslands compared with croplands but lower than under woodlands. However, root-zone enrichment of total soil N was greater under grasslands than under other land uses, suggesting that the quality of organic matter under grasslands was greater than under woodlands, an essential feature that supports agricultural production.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This perspective overview of soil health in humid grazing lands illustrates the positive soil health benefits achievable with balanced agroecological farming approaches using forages.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":100593,"journal":{"name":"Grassland Research","volume":"5 1","pages":"44-55"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/glr2.70036","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147683598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Selection for persistence of endophyte-free meadow fescue under intensive grazing versus frequent mowing","authors":"Michael D. Casler","doi":"10.1002/glr2.70032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/glr2.70032","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Meadow fescue (<i>Schedonorus pratensis</i> (Huds.) P.Beauv.) is highly adapted to managed rotational grazing systems with sufficient rest periods to promote regrowth and sward longevity. It is not well adapted to intensive grazing with set stocking that results in limited regrowth periods and defoliation heights less than 10 cm.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Six populations were identified on farms that used relatively intensive grazing with a combination of set stocking and rotational grazing and a relatively sparse population density of meadow fescue plants. These populations were subjected to three cycles of selection for persistence on their farm of origin and on an experimental research farm where the plots were frequently mowed with a residual sward height of 5 cm. Original and selected populations were evaluated under both defoliation regimes.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Five of the six populations responded to selection with increased persistence under grazing, but four of these had correlated selection responses toward reduced forage accumulation, suggesting selection for a more prostrate growth habit.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Selection under frequent mowing led to some increases in persistence, but the increases were significantly less than for the selections under grazing pressure, strongly indicating selection pressure for different plant traits between grazing and mowing.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":100593,"journal":{"name":"Grassland Research","volume":"5 1","pages":"3-11"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/glr2.70032","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147683797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Restoring extremely degraded alpine grassland (Heitutan) for restructuring the social–ecological system on the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau—A review","authors":"Zhanhuan Shang","doi":"10.1002/glr2.70043","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/glr2.70043","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Heitutan, a term referring to extremely degraded alpine grassland on the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau, epitomizes a critical challenge in global ecological restoration. Likened to a “cancer cell,” Heitutan can gradually encroach on healthy grassland. Its widespread occurrence on the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau originates from the deep-rooted paradox between natural and socio-economic systems in alpine pastoral areas, which results in the structural and functional collapse of the ecosystem. Consequently, the ecological restoration of Heitutan involves the reconstruction of an integrated social–ecological system. From this perspective, this review synthesizes current understanding of Heitutan's formation mechanisms, restoration approaches, post-restoration management models, and pertinent ecological ethics. We highlight that enhancing the scalability of in situ-based restoration technologies, along with strengthening socio-economic tolerance for trial-and-error and adaptive capacity within restoration zones, is vital for successful restoration. For the realistic requirement of long-term restoration in the cold and high-altitude region, we propose establishing a “Heitutan-restoration grassland” system through reseeding with perennial native plants as a sustainable and practical framework. This system provides a viable pathway to combat grassland degradation. It enables government investment to effectively integrate the ecological construction with pastoral development within the Heitutan restoration engineering on the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau.</p>","PeriodicalId":100593,"journal":{"name":"Grassland Research","volume":"5 1","pages":"78-90"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/glr2.70043","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147683431","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Late summer plateau pika spatial habitat use revealed by high-resolution wildlife tracking and unmanned aerial vehicle data on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau","authors":"Dan Li,&nbsp;Johannes M. H. Knops,&nbsp;Li Li","doi":"10.1002/glr2.70035","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/glr2.70035","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau has significant grassland degradation. The plateau pika (<i>Ochotona curzoniae</i> Hodgson), a small burrowing mammal, traditionally viewed as a pest, may strongly shape vegetation, yet its fine-scale spatial ecology remains unclear.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Using custom-made wildlife trackers and high-resolution multispectral unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mapping to quantify fine-scaled movements, habitat utilization, and activity patterns of 10 plateau pikas in a summer pasture.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Plateau pikas demonstrated scale-nested habitat preferences: preferred fragmented vegetation at a 5-m scale, while favoring larger vegetation patches at a 1-m scale. Mean home range was 1633 m² (range 494–7443 m²), larger and more variable than prior reports. Activity patterns showed a distinct diurnal pattern, with aboveground activity from sunrise to sunset, and only belowground activity at night.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Integrating high-resolution tracking with UAV yields novel, fine-scale insights into plateau pika spatial ecology. Pikas in a summer pasture had larger, variable home ranges and were strictly diurnal. They employed a scale-nested strategy, depending on a mosaic of vegetation and bare soil to provide foraging opportunities, safety from predators, and burrowing sites. These findings suggest that preventing the formation of optimal pika habitat through precise grazing management is an effective strategy to limit pika habitat use and abundance.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":100593,"journal":{"name":"Grassland Research","volume":"5 1","pages":"24-34"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/glr2.70035","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147683615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"What is a paper mill?","authors":"Cory Matthew","doi":"10.1002/glr2.70027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/glr2.70027","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;In this editorial, I will attempt to capture some thoughts for reflection and discussion on the science publication process, as it currently presents to researchers. Publication—communication of findings—is both a natural sequel to and an integral part of research, and critical to researchers' career development. Unfortunately, while there are many positives, there are also some significant emerging issues needing to be resolved in today's science publication sector. From a philosophical perspective, the aim of the publishing process should be to distill and communicate the key new information generated by a research project. Publication has an archival function (creating a record of what was done), a networking function (allowing researchers in the same field to learn from and build on each other's findings), and a knowledge building function (contributing to the sum of human knowledge).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A bogey word often raised in recent years is ‘paper mill’, defined as the fraudulent creation of superficially normal manuscripts for sale to authors who are prepared to use such tactics to enhance their CVs and advance their careers. A recent analysis in Nature (Van Noorden, &lt;span&gt;2023&lt;/span&gt;) indicated that 3% of all articles published in medicine and biology in the last two decades are likely to be paper mill products. A second current concern is ‘predatory publishing’ defined as the collection of publication fees without the normal quality and integrity controls associated with scientific publication.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The scientific publication sector is large, and researchers often don't appreciate just how large. Among the well-known Scientific publishers, Springer have 3000+, Taylor and Frances 2700+, Elsevier 2600+ and Wiley 1600+ journal titles, according to publishers' own websites. MDPI, regarded by some but not by the writer as a predatory publisher has 473 journal titles. In their 2023 Annual Report, MDPI indicate 655 000 papers submitted and 285 244 published in that year, with 1.4 million peer review reports received. Internet sources indicate over 5 million scientific papers per year published currently with 744 000 papers from China and 624 000 from the United States in journals listed by Scopus in 2020. Considering that a typical article processing charge for open access publication is in the range of $US 2000–3500 and journals using a subscription model presumably have a similar revenue, it is immediately clear that the total financial turnover associated with the global scientific publishing sector is similar to the GDP of a medium sized country, such as Australia.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The scientific publication sector has also grown and evolved dramatically over the last 50 years. A Clarivate Web of Science search by the writer for papers with the topic ‘grassland’ returned 423 articles in the period 1971–1975, 11 459 articles in the period 1996–2000, and 37 939 articles in the last 5 years. Corresponding numbers for papers from China were 0, 192 and 14 056.","PeriodicalId":100593,"journal":{"name":"Grassland Research","volume":"4 3","pages":"191-193"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/glr2.70027","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145197039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}