Effects of short duration grazing on northern bobwhites: A pilot study
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Authors: P. A. Schulz, and F. S. Guthery
Date: 1988
Journal: Wildlife Society Bulletin
Volume: 16
Number: 1
Pages: 18-24
Summary of Methods: Schulz and Guthery examined how short duration grazing (SDG) and continuous grazing (CG) influenced seasonal densities of northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) and ground cover structure. Bobwhite densities averaged 2.3 times greater in all eight seasons of the study under the SDG treatment compared to the CG treatment. Schulz and Guthery suggest that the higher densities under SDG is due to enhanced herbaceous cover, especially within 30 cm of the ground, as well as the trails and soil disturbance created by high cattle (Bos taurus) stocking densities. Bare ground and less litter is better for bobwhite movement and seed collecting. Compared with CG, SDG reduced standing crop biomass of vegetation. This is attributed to increased trampling and vegetation consumption since livestock are concentrated in small pastures under SDG. Bobwhites chose areas with more vegetation biomass than that found in SDG treatments and less than that found in CG treatments.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Peer Reviewed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: colinus virginianus, continuous grazing, biomass, trampling, herbaceous cover, bos taurus, cattle
Annotation: Grazing treatments were conducted in an 8 pasture, 1,142-ha short duration grazing (SDG) treatment and a 1,242-ha continuous grazing (CG) treatment. SDG pastures were between 112 to 176 ha, the herd rotated every 4-10 days. Initially, the SDG treatment was stocked at 4.5 ha/AU, then in October 1984 the stocking rate was reduced to 8.5 ha/AU due to drought. Prior to October 1984, stocking densities in the SDG treatment were between 0.45 to 0.73 ha/AU and between 0.85 to 1.34 ha/AU thereafter. The CG treatment was grazed at 7.3 ha/AU throughout the study.
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