Infiltration rates and sediment production as influenced by grazing systems in the Texas Rolling Plains
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Authors: J. J. Pluhar, R. W. Knight, and R. K. Heitschmidt
Date: 1987
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 40
Number: 3
Pages: 240-243
Summary of Methods: The effect of four grazing treatments (moderately stocked yearlong continuous, 4-pasture 3-herd deferred-rotation, short-duration high-intensity rotation and ungrazed) on watershed conditions at the Texas Experimental Ranch (99° 14' W, 33° 20' N) was investigated over two years. Vegetative cover, standing crop, soil attributes (bulk density, organic matter, aggregate stability, surface roughness, infiltration rate) and total sediment were measured on both the mid-grass and shortgrass communities during August and November of the first year and again the following March and July.
Article Summary / Main Points: As standing crop, cover, soil organic matter, aggregate stability and infiltration rates increased, soil bulk density and sediment production decreased. Sediment production was less and infiltration rates were higher on the continuously grazed site when compared to short-duration high-intensity grazing. Infiltration rates and sediment production were not different on the deferred-rotation, short-duration high-intensity and continuous systems. However, at the end of the grazing season infiltration rates declined and sediment production increased under both rotational systems. Sediment production was less on the mid-grass community compared to the shortgrass. Short-duration high-intensity and deferred-rotation resulted in a decrease in total vegetation cover, total standing crop and increased bareground. These factors caused a decreased in infiltration and an increase in sediment production. The highest infiltration rates and lowest amount of sediment were found in the exclosure and the continuously grazed pastures.
Vegetation Types: Shortgrass Prairie
MLRA Ecoregions: 78A Rolling Limestone Prairie 80B Texas North-Central Prairies
Agrovoc Control Words: Watersheds Grazing Hydrology
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: range watersheds, hydrology, rotational cell grazing, continuous grazing, midgrass, shortgrass
Annotation: This was a replicated study over two years and is applicable to the shortgrass prairie. Results suggest that differences among grazing treatments are directly related to their effect on amount of bare ground. There is no evidence that would suggest any association exists between watershed condition in a rational grazing treatment and number of paddocks. A long-term study is required to ensure these results are consistent over time and across climatic conditions.
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