The composition and distribution of soil microarthropods in the shortgrass steppe in relation to soil water, root biomass, and grazing by cattle
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Authors: J. W. Leetham, and D. G. Milchunas
Date: 1985
Journal: Pedobiologia
Volume: 28
Number: 5
Pages: 311-325
Summary of Methods: Long-term grazing had minimal impacts on soil microarthropod populations and their depth distribution. Linotetranidae exhibited the only considerable difference in depth distribution from grazing, with a mean depth of 14 cm under light grazing and 28 cm under heavy grazing. There was 19% more soil water on the heavily grazed treatments. This positive effect of grazing may have offset a negative effect such as less vegetation and litter biomass, leading to an overall trend of grazing not having a large influence on soil microarthropods. Several soil microarthropod groups such as Pseudococcidae, Ascidae, Tenuipalpidae, and Acaridae increased with heavy grazing. Whereas groups such as Tardigrade and Bdellidae decreased with heavy grazing. No relationships between orders or families that increased or decreased with grazing were prevalent. Grazing impacts may have been obscured due to grazing plot differences such as slope position.
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: linotetranidae, pseudococcidae, ascidae, tenuipalpidae, acaridae, tardigrade, bdellidae
Annotation: Two sampling areas were created in each 130-ha grazing treatment. Light grazing was defined as 20% usage of available forage and heavy grazing was defined as 60% usage. Stocking rates were 0.72 ha/yearling heifer/month for heavy grazing and 1.66 ha/yearling heifer/month for light grazing. From year to year the number of months grazed differed.
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