Grazing impacts on bulk density and soil strength in the foothills fescue grasslands of Alberta, Canada
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Authors: D. S. Chanasyk, and M. A. Naeth
Date: 1995
Journal: Canadian Journal of Soil Science
Volume: 75
Number:
Pages: 551-557
Summary of Methods: Chanasyk and Naeth quantified grazing effects on soil bulk density and soil strength of sloped areas in the Alberta foothills fescue grasslands. They measured the effects of two grazing intensities (heavy and severe) under two treatments (short duration and continuous) compared to an ungrazed control. Soil properties were related to precipitation levels and in general, severe and continuous grazing tended to have greater impacts than heavy and short duration grazing. Soil bulk density and penetration resistance were greatest in continuous severely grazed pastures and lowest in short duration heavily grazed pastures. Parameter values were always lowest in the spring after snowmelt and highest late in the growing season, reflecting the water regime of these ecosystems. Treatment rankings were identical for both bulk density and cone index, but cone index was a more sensitive indicator of the effects of grazing than bulk density.
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, fescue grasslands, bulk density, soil strength
Annotation: Continuous pastures were grazed from May - October and short duration pastures were grazed for one week in June. ,Heavily grazed pastures were stocked at 2.4 AUM/ha and the severely grazed pastures were stocked at 4.8 AUM/ha.
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