Riparian livestock exclosure research in the western United States: A critique and some recommendations
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Authors: D. A. Sarr
Date: 2002
Journal: Environmental Management
Volume: 30
Number: 4
Pages: 516-526
Summary of Methods: This scientific opinion is based the results of other riparian exclosure grazing studies; however, the exact number of those studies reviewed is not stated or clear.
Article Summary / Main Points: There are several problems identified with riparian exclosure studies including: the prevalence of advocacy instead of quantitative analysis in many review articles, lack of non-salmonoid fish habitat studies, and focus on impacts of grazing rather than recovery processes. In addition, many exclosures have had grazing in them prior to fencing causing the studies involved to be measuring recovery and not necessarily grazing effects. Exclosures are often too small to properly capture the non-vegetation recovery characteristics of riparian areas which are typically measured at a watershed level. These exclosures are also not replicated well or at all due to landscape or management concerns, which reduces the explanatory power of the study. Many of the exclosures used in research were established decades prior to the study and may have incomplete records detailing management. The difficulty in overcoming these issues and the importance of grazing exclosure research was also recognized. Studying recovery ecology and using that as a basis for comparison among studies as well as setting up studies that take place over long periods of time and encompass large areas to strengthen research on the riparian recovery processes was recommended. The importance of measuring pre-exclosure data and utilizing results from previous studies when establishing exclosure investigations was emphasized.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: Not Applicable
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Grazing lands
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Scientific Opinion
Keywords: livestock exclosures, riparian ecosystems, ecological restoration, western united states, management
Annotation: Sarr’s arguments are valid and his recommendations on future riparian exclosure studies are important to keep in mind when setting up an investigation. More clarity on the sources used to back up the points might have strengthened his arguments as it seemed he relied on only a few main articles.
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