Rangeland soil carbon and nitrogen responses to grazing
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Authors: J. T. Manley, G. E. Schuman, J. D. Reeder, and R. H. Hart
Date: 1995
Journal: Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
Volume: 50
Number: 3
Pages: 294-298
Summary of Methods: Soil samples from pastures in Wyoming, which were grazed for 11 years using three management practices, were collected and compared to those subjected to light grazing and livestock exclosures. Results of the study indicate that responsible grazing strategies implemented 11 years earlier did not detrimentally affect soil organic carbon and nitrogen levels in the active and important upper 30 cm of the soil profile under native mixed-grass rangeland. Soil organic carbon and nitrogen in the surface 7.6 cm of soil were significantly lower in the exclosure compared to all of the grazing management strategies. No differences existed between any of the grazing strategies, except that in the 3.8-7.8 cm soil depth the organic carbon was significantly lower under the continuous-light grazing strategy than under any heavily grazed management, but was still significantly greater than in the exclosure. The data indicate that grazing enhanced the overall soil quality as assessed by these parameters, and that plant production should be sustainable.
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: soil carbon, soil nitrogen, grazing, grazing management strategies, grazing intensities, mixed grass prairie
Annotation: Soils were sampled where grazing management was continuous season-long at a light stocking rate (22 steers-days/ha), and rotationally deferred, short-duration, and continuous season-long, al at a heavy stocking rate (67 steer-days/ha). The heavy stocking rate resulted in slightly less than 50% utilization of the annual production. Treatments: continuous season-long, light stocking rate (CL); continuous season-long heavy stocking rate (CH); short-duration rotation, heavy stocking rate (SH); rotationally deferred, heavy stocking rate (RH) pastures, and the exclosure (EX)
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