Vegetation and soil responses to grazing simulation on riparian meadows
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Authors: W. P. Clary
Date: 1995
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 48
Number: 1
Pages: 18-25
Summary of Methods: The effects of defoliation, compaction, nutrient return, and season of use were examined on three study areas (Willow Creek, approximately 16 km north-northwest of Brogan, Oregon, Valley Creek located 6 km northwest of Stanley, Idaho, and Stanley Creek approximately 6 km northwest of Stanley, Idaho). Four defoliation treatments (no defoliation, 10-cm, 5-cm, and 1-cm stubble height) were applied in either spring/mid-summer, late summer/fall, or spring and fall. Two compaction treatments (compaction, no compaction) were applied the same time as clipping. A mixture of manure and urea was applied to designated plots in the Valley Creek area to test for the effect of nutrient return on the plant community. Plant height, biomass response, and soil response were examined on a low-elevation, redtop (Agrostis stolonifera) site in Oregon, and on two, high-elevation, mountain meadow (Carex spp.) sites in Idaho.
Article Summary / Main Points: Each site exhibited different results to the applied treatments. Willow Creek: 1) Compaction negatively affected graminoid height and biomass with spring or spring/fall treatments having a greater effect than a single fall treatment. 2) Spring and fall compaction treatments increased soil compressive strength and caused a decrease in soil elevation. 3) In all defoliated treatments, forb height was shorter (51.4%) than the control treatment, with no observed change in forb composition. Valley Creek: 1) Graminoid height decreased with defoliation and compaction treatments, but the effects appeared to be non-additive when both were applied. 2) Compaction reduced the next year’s production while severe defoliation or compaction reduced production levels in the same growing season. Combined treatments of defoliation and compaction resulted in no further decrease of biomass in the treatment year. 3) Nutrient return treatments in late summer increased the following year’s biomass but spring treatments had no effect. 4) Forbs production increased with spring clipping at 5 cm and 1 cm. Stanley Creek: 1) Graminoid height was reduced after two years of defoliation at 5 cm and 1 cm clippings. 2) Total annual biomass was only reduced when clipped to a stubble height of 1 cm.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 43B Central Rocky Mountains 9 Palouse and Nez Perce Prairies
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Grazing Soil compaction
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: redtop, agrostis stolonifera, sedge, carex spp., meadow foxtail, alopecurus pratensis, defoliation, compaction, nutrient return
Annotation: While the study examined the change in plant community composition, three years is a short time frame to develop an accurate picture of successional change, even for riparian areas. This study only looked at the effects upon plant community and not at other areas of concern including stream bank stability and channel maintenance. The soil strength readings were highest in the driest years, showing that soil strength was influenced by soil moisture. This would correspond with the higher fall observations versus spring.
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