Drought and grazing patch dynamics under different grazing management
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Authors: W. R. Teague, S. L. Dowhower, and J. A. Waggoner
Date: 2004
Journal: Journal of Arid Environments
Volume: 58
Number: 1
Pages: 97-117
Summary of Methods: The efficiency of rotational grazing management to provide adequate rest between grazing events to reduce the rate of rangeland deterioration caused by patch-selective grazing in large paddocks during drought cycles was examined on the Waggoner Experimental Ranch in northern Texas (33˚ 50’ N; 99˚ 05’ W). Two grazing treatments (continuous and an 8-pasture, 1-herd rotation) were applied. On the rotational grazing treatment, cattle were moved when preferred plants were moderately defoliated. Herbaceous vegetation change, density, basal area by species, bare ground and litter cover were monitored each quarter over the 5-year experimental period. Soils were analyzed across each pasture for texture and infiltration potential. Monthly rainfall measurements were collected and analyzed for rainfall deviations and long-term monthly means.
Article Summary / Main Points: The precipitation levels during this droughty period, which varied only slightly by year, had greater effect on basal area and vegetation cover than the grazing system (continuous vs. rotational). Rotational grazing increased perennial herbaceous basal cover and decreased bare ground cover compared to continuous grazing. The grazing treatment was found to have little influence on species biomass composition throughout the experimental period. The biomass of C4 and C3 mid-grasses and C4 short grasses remained relatively stable over the experimental period despite weather fluctuations. Significant variability in biomass of annual grasses along with perennial and annual forbs were contributed to dry summers. Parameters that indicate ecosystem health, such as bare ground, basal area and litter cover were found to be very important for monitoring effective sustainable rangeland use.
Vegetation Types: Southern Mixed Prairie
MLRA Ecoregions: 81B Edwards Plateau, Central Part
Agrovoc Control Words: Rotational Grazing Rangelands Continuous grazing
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: basal area, continuous grazing, patch overgrazing, patch selection, rotational grazing system, spatial heterogeneity, species composition, environmental conditions
Annotation: The findings of this study are applicable to many rangeland grazing scenarios, though the specific outcome may vary slightly from ecosystem to ecosystem. Irregular doughty conditions produced mild confounding results to a specific grazing strategy, more or less questioning grazing treatment efficiency. However, this study provided the opportunity to examine vegetation’s response to such conditions, contributing improved knowledge of semi-arid ecosystem management.
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