Grazing in a California silvopastoral system: Effects of defoliation season, intensity, and frequency on deerbrush, Ceanothus integerrimus Hook & Arn.
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Authors: L. Huntsinger
Date: 1996
Journal: Agroforestry Systems
Volume: 34
Number:
Pages: 67-82
Summary of Methods: In a two-year series of grazing trials, Huntsinger examined the degree of cattle preference for deerbrush (Ceanothus integerrimus) as compared to conifers, and response of deerbrush to grazing on a forest site. The second, a three-year study based on grazing trial results, used clipping to examine the specifics of deerbrush response to patterns of herbivory. Deerbrush was highly preferred by cattle in the grazing trials. Even at 90% utilization of the shrubs, no conifers were browsed. High degrees of utilization did not suppress shrub growth in the grazing trials. The clipping study found deerbrush significantly responsive to frequency and intensity of defoliation, but not to season of use. High intensity, frequent grazing is required to suppress the shrub. Intermediate prescriptions can be used to manage for various combinations of wildlife, timber, or forage-related objectives. These results and methods are applicable to any silvopastoral system where prescriptive grazing is used in conjunction with tree crops.
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: forest grazing, vegetation management, forest regeneration, deerbrush, ceanothus integerrimus, clipping
Annotation: Shrubs were clipped for three grazing season, 1986-1988. Three defoliation intensities were defined: none (control, shrubs not clipped); moderate (removal of one-half of the available forage as defined above. 50% utilization.); and heavy (all available forage removed; 100% utilization).
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