Effects of grazing by sheep on the quantity and quality of forage available to big game in Oregon's coast range
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Authors: B. D. Rhodes, and S. H. Sharrow
Date: 1990
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 43
Number: 3
Pages: 235-237
Summary of Methods: Rhodes and Sharrow looked at the effects of sheep grazing on the vegetation in Oregon's Coastal Range and the viability of wildlife forage. Two bands of ewes were grazed in 5 different sections, one grazed twice, randomly for two seasons. This grazing reduced the overall forage by 40%, but increased the quality of forage for wintering wildlife. Grazing during the growing season removes the mature growth of the plant which in turn makes the plant increase the amount of nutrients it releases. Rhodes and Sharrow state that most wildlife species chose forage, not based on plant quantity, but on the quality.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: deer, elk, forest grazing, agroforestry
Annotation: Stocking rate was 125 ewe days per ha in 1981 and 143 ewe days per ha in 1982
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