Will the riparian pasture build good streams?
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Authors: W. S. Platts, and R. L. Nelson
Date: 1985
Journal: Rangelands
Volume: 7
Number: 1
Pages: 7-10
Summary of Methods: Upland and riparian vegetation utilization by cattle was measured for seven years on 15 study sites in southern Idaho, Utah, and Nevada. Grazing strategies included rest-rotation, deferred-rotation and season-long continuous grazing. Pasture size also varied from upland pastures to small riparian pastures that are grazed for only a few days to a few hours.
Article Summary / Main Points: Riparian vegetation was grazed more heavily (29% more use on average) than on adjacent upland sites. Utilization of riparian vegetation was heavy to severe on all riparian sites. Small riparian pastures, which were fenced off to include 50% riparian vegetation and 50% upland vegetation, exhibited more balanced use between the two vegetation zones and on average the upland vegetation received 10% more use than the riparian vegetation. Small riparian pastures are a useful management tool reducing overgrazing of riparian vegetation and restoring riparian area health; when compared to other grazing alternatives.
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: None
Article Type: None
Keywords: cattle, grazing strategies, grazing management, vegetation use, riparian health
Annotation: This was a replicated study over seven years and is applicable to riparian areas across the western USA. Grazing strategies, timings, and intensities of forage use was evaluated in multiple states in a long-term nature strengthens these study findings. 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 7:5-7) 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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