Stream habitat and fisheries response to livestock grazing and instream improvement structures, Big Creek, Utah
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Authors: W. S. Platts, and R. L. Nelson
Date: 1985
Journal: Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
Volume: 49
Number: 4
Pages: 374-379
Summary of Methods: The effects of cattle grazing on the structure and function of riparian areas were investigate by comparing three stream reaches (ungrazed and 2 grazed) along Big Creek of northeastern Utah for two years. Aquatic habitat measurements were made in August and September. Water column streambanks, stream bottom, and riparian habitat measurements were taken near the end of the grazing season in October and September.
Article Summary / Main Points: Riparian streambank vegetation and stream channel conditions improved with exclusion of cattle grazing. The stream became deeper and narrower as the banks became more stable and covered with vegetation. This caused the pool:riffle ratio and pool quality to became more suitable for fish habitat. However, fish populations did not respond to the enhanced habitat conditions caused by cattle exclusion, possibly because of the influences from adjacent upstream and downstream grazed reaches.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 47 Wasatch and Uinta Mountains
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Grazing Inland Fisheries
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: streambank vegetation, trout, cattle, riparian habitat, channel structure, public land use
Annotation: This was a replicated study over two years and is applicable to riparian areas and inland fisheries habitat across the West. The limited information describing the intensity of grazing on each site limits the strength of these findings. However, if a site is negatively influenced by grazing, the exclusion of grazing will improve the conditions of the riparian area. Not all grazing negatively impacts the condition of a riparian area, Fitch and Adams (1998). Long term livestock exclusion can also lead to an increase in weed invasion into a site, resulting in decreased primary production in some cases. Additionally, Platts and Nelson (1985, N. Amer. J. Fish. Manage. 5:547-556; 1985, Rangelands 7:5-7; and 1985, Rangelands 7:7-10) studied rangeland utilization and stream canopies affected by grazing (1989, N. Amer. J. Fish. Manage. 9:446-457) along riparian areas in Idaho, Nevada, and Utah; also available on the RSIS website.
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