What's in an exclosure?
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Authors: L. E. Hughes
Date: 1996
Journal: Rangelands
Volume: 18
Number: 5
Pages: 201-203
Summary of Methods: The data from 10 exclosures examined in Arizona shows few differences in species frequencies between the inside and outside, with some exceptions. The large amount of sameness between the grazed and ungrazed areas indicate most grazing management plans are allowing forage plants the same opportunity to exist as the non-forage species. However, some of the exclosures show differences attributable to poorly managed grazing management. Winterfat had a greater occurrence inside the south Clayhole exclosure. The difference for both categories of species in and out of the exclosure has persisted through the 1980s and 1990s. The middle Clayhole exclosure has a difference in shrubs with more shadscale occurring outside (40%) the exclosure than inside (21%). The Larsen and Cedar Knoll exclosures had notable differences between the cool season grasses, with greater amounts occurring inside the exclosures than out. The exclosure data can be used to demonstrate when a grazing system is not adapted for certain class of forage. For example, winterfat had a greater occurrence inside the grazing exclosure while shadscale occurred more frequently outside of the exclosure, and shadscale is a non-forage plant for cattle for most of the year and winterfat is a much desired forage plant. This indicates a need to change grazing management in those pastures. Hughes concludes that exclosures can be a useful tool in grazing management monitoring; and data can be obtained from them to make needed changes in grazing management.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Peer Reviewed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: exclosure, sagebrush grasslands, arizona, grazing, grazing management
Annotation: Grazing intensity is not specified. Season of use is not specified.
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