Streamside and upland vegetation use by cattle
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Authors: W. S. Platts, and R. L. Nelson
Date: 1985
Journal: Rangelands
Volume: 7
Number: 1
Pages: 5-7
Summary of Methods: Vegetation utilization was measured over an 8-yr period on streamsides and uplands across 5 study sites. A 3-pasture rest-rotation system in Idaho, a 2-pasture deferred grazing system in northeastern Nevada, a continuous season-long grazing system in northeastern Nevada and two sites under continuous season-long grazing in northeastern Utah were evaluated.
Article Summary / Main Points: Twenty-three of 25 observations showed streamside vegetation use by cattle was twice as heavy as adjacent forage or overall utilization. The other 2 observations, from Idaho showed streamside use was less than overall pasture use. On average, streambank forage use was about 25% higher compared to uplands. In some areas streambank utilization was 60% greater during the last two years of the study. Rotational grazing strategies did not reduce streambank vegetation use.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 25 Owyhee High Plateau 43B Central Rocky Mountains 47 Wasatch and Uinta Mountains
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Grazing Rangelands
Article Review Type: Peer Reviewed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: riparian, grazing management, vegetation use, western united states, cattle distribution, rotational grazing, rotational grazing
Annotation: This was a replicated study over eight years and is applicable to riparian and streamside areas across the western USA. The results reinforce the belief that rotational grazing alone does not reduce utilization and impact on riparian vegetation. This multi-state long-term study is very sound in design making the results applicable across a multitude of grazed riparian habitats. Additionally, Platts and Nelson (1985, N. Amer. J. Fish. Manage. 5:547-556; 1985, J. Soil and Water Cons. 49:374-379; 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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