Soil properties and species diversity of grazed crested wheatgrass and native rangelands
-
-
Authors: M. Krzic, K. Broersma, D. J. Thompson, and A. A. Bomke
Date: 2000
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 53
Number: 3
Pages: 353-358
Summary of Methods: Krzic et al. compared the soil and vegetative properties of native bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) range to seeded crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) range to determine the effects of seeding crested wheatgrass in historically grazed pastures. Crested wheatgrass and native range pastures had similar species richness and vegetative cover, however, crested wheatgrass pastures had less species diversity, greater grass cover and less shrub cover. Soil physical properties (aggregate stability, bulk density, infiltration rate) were similar between the two range types, but soil chemical properties varied slightly due to greater C, N, and K at various soil depths in the crested wheatgrass pasture. The authors concluded that under heavy grazing, seeded crested wheatgrass pastures provide good quality forage while only slightly altering soil characteristics and decreasing vegetative diversity when compared to native rangeland.
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: crested wheatgrass, agropyron cristatum, soil carbon, soil nitrogen, penetration resistance, aggregate stability, root biomass, bluebunch wheatgrass, pseudoroegneria spicata
Annotation: Sites sampled during this study were grazed for more than a century before the seeding of crested wheatgrass. The area has a history of long-term grazing at high stocking rates.
-
Get article
Cite article with DOI
-