Grazing influences on watering point vegetation in the Chihuahuan desert
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Authors: M. Fusco, J. Holechek, A. Tembo, A. Daniel, and M. Cardenas
Date: 1995
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 48
Number: 1
Pages: 32-38
Summary of Methods: Standing crop and species composition were measured to determine how cattle grazing patterns affected vegetation around watering points in the Jornada Basin of New Mexico. One watering point was in a fair condition range with continuous grazing (with heavy grazing early and then a low stock rate implemented 11 years prior to study), The second watering point was in a good condition range with intensive management and a moderate or low stocking rate. Biomass was measured in April and then again in October of the two year study.
Article Summary / Main Points: Standing crop of all perennial grasses increased with distance from the watering point at a greater rate on the good condition range than the fair condition range. The overall standing crop was also greater in the good condition range at all points measured. Black grama grass, the preferred grass, production was reduced the most with distance from water. Broom snakeweed was the most prevalent poisonous plant by weight at both sites and along with annual forbs was dominate closer to the watering point at both sites.
Vegetation Types: Desert Grasslands
MLRA Ecoregions: 42 Southern Desertic Basins, Plains, and Mountains
Agrovoc Control Words: Stocking rate Rangelands Grazing
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Documented Case History
Keywords: rangeland, grazing management, forage, stocking rate, range condition
Annotation: These results are applicable to other sites in Chihuahuan desert grasslands because this type of vegetation is unique because of the climate and soils present. However, the general principles found in the study could be similar in other vegetation types due to the general patterns of livestock grazing around watering points.
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