IMPACTS OF ROTATIONAL GRAZING ON MIXED PRAIRIE SOILS AND VEGETATION

Citation
Jf. Dormaar et al., IMPACTS OF ROTATIONAL GRAZING ON MIXED PRAIRIE SOILS AND VEGETATION, Journal of range management, 50(6), 1997, pp. 647-651
Citations number
33
Categorie Soggetti
Agriculture Dairy & AnumalScience",Ecology
Journal title
ISSN journal
0022409X
Volume
50
Issue
6
Year of publication
1997
Pages
647 - 651
Database
ISI
SICI code
0022-409X(1997)50:6<647:IORGOM>2.0.ZU;2-X
Abstract
In this study the impact of a rotation grazing system on the soil and vegetation of a Stipa-Bouteloua-Agropyron community in the mixed prair ie ecoregion was compared with the ungrazed treat ment in exclosures. At a low stocking rate, grazing had no effect on the vegetation but di d alter soil quality. Grazing pressure was so light in the rotational grazing treatment that recovery of productivity, as measured by standi ng crop and litter, was not significantly different from the ungrazed treatment. Conversely, the species distribution was unchanged but was indicative of a lower seral state for this mixed prairie. The effect o f grazing on this community was indirect, possibly by altering the mic roenvironment, The relationships observed among forage production, soi l chemistry, and species composition raise questions on the importance of any one variable expressing range condition on the mixed prairie.