Prescribed grazing as a secondary impact in a western riparian floodplain
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Authors: J. A. Sedgwick, and F. L. Knopf
Date: 1991
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 44
Number: 4
Pages: 369-373
Summary of Methods: To determine how late-season cattle grazing affected riparian areas along the South Platte River in northeastern Colorado, vegetation biomass was measured on ten pastures established in the floodplain. Five of the pastures were controls with no grazing while the other five were moderately stocked (0.46 AUM/ha) and grazed during October and November for three years. Standing biomass was measured annually on permanent plots in September and standing crop was harvested near the permanent plots following grazing.
Article Summary / Main Points: Total biomass, all grass biomass and all forb biomass were not different between the grazed and ungrazed plots. Total biomass was different between the three years, most likely due to flooding. Prairie cordgrass increased in the grazed the pastures, while willows decreased in the grazed pastures. Proper stocking rate, fall grazing and cottonwood leaves used as forage were attributed to the similarities between the biomass in grazed and ungrazed pastures.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands Shortgrass Prairie
MLRA Ecoregions: 72 Central High Tableland
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Grazing
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: community composition, cottonwood leaves, flooding, late-autumn grazing, plant biomass, populus sargentii, targeted grazing
Annotation: The results from this study could be applicable to other areas with late season grazing in cottonwood dominated riparian areas if the cottonwoods are in good health, providing additional forage and the stocking rate was correct. Improper stocking rates can cause degradation of the riparian areas.
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