Grazing utilization limits: An ineffective management tool
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Authors: J. W. Burkhardt
Date: 1997
Journal: Rangelands
Volume: 19
Number: 3
Pages: 8-9
Summary of Methods: This article presents arguments against using utilization limits as the only management tool to base decisions on.
Article Summary / Main Points: Utilization standards over simplify a complex interaction between grazers and the forage. Response to grazing by plants depends on several factors including plant species consumed, season, degree, frequency and intensity of use, and rest period. Early season application of utilization standards has little biological significance and in the least should be presented at “relative use†rather than “percent utilization†as utilization can only be measured at the end of the growing season. Measurements that look at long-term trend are time consuming but are a better alternative to utilization standards. Management approaches should involve cool season or early grazing and hot season rest, rotation, upland water development and herding. The across-the-board application of conservative use standards to public land grazing is poor resource management and poor public policy.
Vegetation Types: All Vegetation Types
MLRA Ecoregions: Not Applicable
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Peer Reviewed
Article Type: Scientific Opinion
Keywords: grazing, utilization, herbivory, north american rangelands, grazing strategies, riparian ecosystems, management
Annotation: The arguments presented in this article can be applied to all rangelands. This article shows that properly managing rangeland systems is very complex and should not be over simplified.
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