The influence of livestock trampling under intensive rotation grazing on soil hydrologic characteristics
-
-
Authors: S. D. Warren, T. L. Thurow, W. H. Blackburn, and N. E. Garza
Date: 1986
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 39
Number: 6
Pages: 491-495
Summary of Methods: To determine the effects of trampling in intensive rotational grazing systems, Warren et al. measured soil properties after cattle trampled a dry and moist pasture, devoid of vegetation. Applied trampling rates mimicked different stocking rates (1x, 2x, and 3x) that may be used with this grazing system. In all trampled pastures, soil infiltration was lower and sediment production was higher than untrampled pastures, and the effects of trampling tended to increase as soil moisture and stocking rates increased. This study concludes that using a high-intensity rotational grazing system will negatively impact soil properties, such as infiltration rate and sediment production.
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: trampling, infiltration rate, sediment production, intensive rotational grazing, grazing systems, soil compaction
Annotation: Grazing intensity or trampling intensity used in this study mimicked the trampling rates of cows grazed in a moderately stocked, 32-ha, 14-pasture intensive rotation grazing system. Three trampling intensity treatment rates were: moderate (1x: 8.1 ha/AU/year), double (2x: 4.1 ha/AU/year), triple (3x: 2.7 ha/AU/year), and no trampling (Ex). Experimental plots were devoid of vegetation; results from vegetated pastures could potentially be very different.
-
Get article
Cite article with DOI
-