Impact of deferred rotation grazing on stream characteristics in central Nevada: A case study
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Authors: T. J. Myers, and S. Swanson
Date: 1995
Journal: North American Journal of Fisheries Management
Volume: 15
Number: 2
Pages: 428-439
Summary of Methods: The watershed-scale effects of deferred-rotation cattle grazing and roads on stream morphology and aquatic habitat of three gravel-bottom streams in Toiyabe National Forest in the Great Basin of Nevada were investigated. Three streams (no grazing, 7 years of deferred-rotational grazing with roads and without roads) were compared. Previously conducted and published aquatic habitat surveys (Myers and Swanson 1991, Water Resour Bull 27: 667-677; and 1992, Water Resour Bull 28:743-754; both available in the RSIS database) provided the baseline data for this study.
Article Summary / Main Points: The percentage of ungulate damaged banks was reduced from 48% to 6% from 1980 to 1992. None of the aquatic variables were different among the streams though pool quality, HCI, gravel-cobble percent, and bank stability did improve regardless of management. Quality of all streams improved. The stream with complete rest improved the most when considering bank angle, bank height, high quality pool percent, bank stability, and channel embeddedness. Presence of road crossings proved to be a better indicator of stream health than managed livestock grazing as road crossing had the greatest impact on these indicators.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 28B Central Nevada Basin And Range 29 Southern Nevada Basin and Range
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Grazing systems Roads
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Documented Case History
Keywords: grazing, utilization, bank stability, deferred rotation grazing, width to depth ratio, gradients, stream morphology, management
Annotation: The results from this non-replicated study are limited in application to this stream in Northeastern Nevada and broader application of these results should be done with caution knowing that the outcomes may vary depending on location, stream type, and management. As is true for all grazing research, the results are most directly applicable to areas with similar landscapes, species, level and season of use, and weather conditions. These results may be consistent across many riparian areas but more research is needed to verify this.
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