Sediment losses from a pastured watershed before and after stream fencing
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Authors: L. B. Owens, W. M. Edwards, and R. W. Van Keuren
Date: 1996
Journal: Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
Volume: 51
Number: 1
Pages: 90-94
Summary of Methods: The effect of fencing livestock off of the streambank on soil loss was examined at the North Appalachian Experimental watershed near Coshocton, Ohio. Following 7 years of year-long grazing streambanks were fenced out of a 26-ha pasture. Total precipitation, storm flow, soil flow, loss, sediment concentration, and sediment transport was recorded during the 13 period study.
Article Summary / Main Points: After 5 years of protection annual soil loss decreased by 40%. Average sediment concentrations in a storm flow were reduced by nearly 60% after fencing. Average annual storm flow tended to be greater with fencing. When soil loss was related to precipitation events, less than 1% of the storm flow events accounted for 27% of total soil loss.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 114A Southern Illinois and Indiana Thin Loess and Till Plain, Eastern Part 124 Western Allegheny Plateau
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Grazing Water quality
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Documented Case History
Keywords: runoff, erosion, vegetative cover, precipitation, sediment transport, fencing
Annotation: The results of this case study are applicable only to this riparian areas and pastures in Ohio. As with all grazing research results apply most directly to similar landscapes, seasons, livestock types and weather conditions. No grazing (rest), fencing and rotational summer grazing have all resulted in lower sediment yields (Owens et al. 1989, J Environ Qual 18:232-238; Owens et al., 1997, J Soil Water Conserv 52:194-197, also available in RSIS database) than year-long grazing or summer grazing with winter feeding, providing managers with more management options.
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