Effects of cattle grazing on blue oak seedling damage and survival
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Authors: L. M. Hall, M. R. George, D. D. McCreary, and T. E. Adams
Date: 1992
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 45
Number: 5
Pages: 503-506
Summary of Methods: Hall et al. determined the impacts of cattle grazing at different stocking rates and times of year on seedling survival and damage to blue oak (Quercus douglasii), a tree species whose recruitment may be limited by livestock grazing. Blue oak was browsed in all seasons, however, browsing damage was greatest in summer while trampling damage was greatest in the winter. Stocking density did not affect seedling survival in any season but survival was greatest for seedlings in winter grazed pastures. Although the results suggest that livestock impacted blue oak survival and recruitment, grazing damage was similar to grazed pastures in the control pasture, indicating that wildlife also damage and limit recruitment of blue oak and may have been responsible for some damage in the grazed pastures as well.
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: browsing, foothill/oak woodland, grazing management, recruitment, quercus douglasii, wildlife
Annotation: The treatments consisted of 3 seasons x 3 stocking densities plus 1 nongrazed control. During winter (January 17-February 6, 1990) and spring (April 2-23, 1990) 3 steers grazed each pasture. These were replicated in summer (June 26-July 16, 1990) by heifers. Stocking rates were: Low - 2.5 head/ha, Medium - 7.5 head/ha, and High - 15.0 head/ha. A high potential for deer browsing is confirmed by frequent sightings. Other wildlife, including pocket gophers, rabbits, jackrabbits, and grasshoppers probably contributed to total seedling damage recorded as damage.
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