Effects of cattle grazing and Juniperus pinchotii canopy cover on herb cover and production in western Texas
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Authors: G. R. McPherson, and H. A. Wright
Date: 1990
Journal: American Midland Naturalist
Volume: 123
Number: 1
Pages: 144-151
Summary of Methods: In this study, the effects of redberry juniper (Juniperus pinchotii) on species composition and biomass production of the herbaceous layer were evaluated for 3 years on an ungrazed site and a site with past cattle grazing in western Texas. The understory species composition differed between sites, the cover of forbs and bare ground was generally greater at previously grazed sites. Juniper cover was not related to herbaceous cover but was inversely related to herbaceous production and this relationship was more significant at previously grazed sites. Based on these results the authors concluded that previous grazing effects plant community composition in this semiarid region and that the effects of grazing persist for at least 5 years after grazing pressure is removed.
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: redberry juniper, juniperus pinchotii, species composition, biomass production, recovery from grazing
Annotation: The site was not grazed two years prior to or during this 3 year study. The site was historically heavily grazed until 2 years before this study was initiated. The ungrazed site was located in a naturally exclosed area that had never been grazed by livestock. Herb production was estimated by clipping five, 0.5 m2 quadrats to a 3-cm stubble height. Summer sampling was done on July 15 and autumn sampling was done in late October.
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