Effects of short-duration grazing on winter annuals in the Texas Rolling Plains
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Authors: J. R. Weigel, G. R. McPherson, and C. M. Britton
Date: 1989
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 42
Number: 5
Pages: 372-375
Summary of Methods: Weitkamp et al. measured the effects of short-duration cattle grazing on plant community diversity and soil structure in the Texas rolling plains. Short-duration grazing altered the species composition of pastures. Individual species increased or decreased depending on their tolerance for the type and interval of disturbance produced by short-duration grazing events. Overall, grazing altered the plant growth environment; grazed pastures had greater soil strength and lower vegetative cover than ungrazed pastures. This study suggests that short-duration grazing can affect plant community composition in the Texas rolling plains, however, more research is required to determine the long-term effects of this grazing system on plant communities in this area.
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: grazing system, plant density, plant diversity, soil strength, species composition, rotational grazing
Annotation: Three grazing events occurred in each of the six rotational pastures during the grazing season. Grazing intensity not directly defined, but cattle were stocked at rates 1.5 - 2 times the recommended stocking rate for continuous grazing in these pastures.
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