Influence of intensive rotational grazing on bank erosion, fish habitat quality, and fish communities in southwestern Wisconsin trout streams
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Authors: J. Lyons, B. M. Weigel, L. K. Paine, and D. J. Undersander
Date: 2000
Journal: Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
Volume: 55
Number: 3
Pages: 271-276
Summary of Methods: The long-term effects of ongoing riparian land use were studied across 23 study reaches on 21 small trout streams in agricultural watersheds of southwestern Wisconsin. In each study reach a treatment station with one of four riparian zone land uses (continuous grazing, intensive rotational grazing (IRG), grassy buffer strips and woody buffer strips) was established for 3 years or more along with an upstream station. Continuously grazed and IRG sites were grazed over a six month period (early May-Oct). Site characteristics and population data were collected to compare bank erosion, fish habitat characteristics, trout abundance and a fish-based index of biotic integrity among stations. Total cover, percent pools and habitat quality index were also measured. Fish were collected by single-pass DC electrofishing.
Article Summary / Main Points: Bank erosion was higher for continuously grazed reaches but similar for IRG, grassy buffer strips, or woody buffer strips. The amount of fine sediment substrates was highest on woody buffer strips and continuously grazed reaches followed by IRG and least on grassy buffer strip reaches. Width-depth ratios were marginally related to riparian use and were highest for woody buffer strips. For all other riparian uses width-depth ratios were not different. Total cover, percent pools and habitat quality index were not influenced by land use. Upstream conditions strongly effected erosion and fish habitat characteristics of the treatment stations while adjacent riparian land use moderately effected erosion and habitat characteristics. To decrease erosion and improve fish habitat, the best riparian land uses were grassy buffer strips and IRG.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 105 Northern Mississippi Valley Loess Hills 89 Wisconsin Central Sands
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Grazing Invertebrate
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: buffer strips, erosion, fish, fish habitat, index of biotic integrity, intensive rotational grazing, land use, riparian vegetation, streams
Annotation: The findings from this study can be applied to riparian areas used for crop production or livestock grazing. These results suggest to reduce erosion and to improve substrate composition, IRG can be used since riparian zones remain covered by adequate grassy vegetation. Grassy riparian buffer strips improve streams damaged by continuous grazing.
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