Differences in Riparian Vegetation Structure between Grazed Areas and Exclosures

Schulz, T.; Leininger, Wayne C.

doi:10.2307/3898920

Cited by 160 publications

(118 citation statements)

References 6 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

105

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…These results contrast with findings that grazing had no effect on shoot frequency and density (Ratliff and Westfall 1987) or cover (Schulz and Leininger 1990) of Nebraska sedge. Our data indicate that Nebraska sedge may exhibit significant increases in aerial cover when released from grazing.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 91%

Restoring degraded riparian meadows: Biomass and species responses

Martin¹,

Chambers²

2001

REM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Riparian meadows in central Nevada are highly productive and have been extensively utilized for livestock grazing. Consequently, many have been severely degraded resulting in changes in species composition and decreases in productivity. During a 3 year study, we examined the responses of mesic meadow systems to yearly nitrogen addition (100 kg ha -1 ) and clipping (8-10 cm stubble height) to increase our understanding of grazing effects. We also examined the effects of a one-time, fall aeration (10 cm deep by 2 cm wide holes spaced 20 cm apart) and revegetation (removal of existing vegetation and reseeding) to evaluate the restoration potential of these sites. Changes in total biomass, species aerial cover and frequency, and surface basal cover were used to evaluate treatment responses. Clipping had no effect on total biomass, possibly because it was conducted late in the growing season. In contrast, nitrogen addition plus clipping increased biomass in all 3 years when treatments were compared across sites and for 1 out of 3 years when treatments were compared across a single site. Aeration had no effect on above ground biomass, but has been shown to increase rooting activity in these same meadows. Due to a dry, hot spring, early seral and weedy species had higher establishment than the seeded natives in the revegetation plots, and biomass was low the first year after treatment. Individual species varied in their treatment responses. The cover of low-growing forb species (western aster (Aster occidentalis [Nutt.] Torrey and A. Gray), long-stalk starwort (Stellania Longipes Goldie), and common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Wigg.) declined through time for all treatments, presumably due to increased grass cover and shading following release from grazing and above average precipitation and water table levels in 1998. Examination of the key graminoids showed that Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis ssp. pratensis L.), an increaser species, did not increase in response to release from grazing, but increased in response to clipping and nitrogen addition. Nebraska sedge (Carex nebrascensis Dewey), a desirable native, increased in response to both release from grazing and nitrogen addition. The results were influenced by high spatial and temporal variability in water ResumenLas praderas ribereñas de la parte central de Nevada son altamente productivas y han sido utilizadas extensivamente para el apacentemiento de ganado. Consequentemente, muchas de ellas han sido severamente degradadas resultando en cambios de la composición de especies y la disminución de su productividad. En un estudio de 3 años examinamos las respuestas de los sistemas de praderas mésicas a la adición anual de nitrógeno (100 kg ha -1 ) y el corte (8-10 cm de altura del rastrojo remanente) para aumentar nuestro entendimiento de los efectos del apacentamiento. También examinamos los efectos de la areación por única vez en otoño (hoyos de 10 cm de profundidad y 2 cm de ancho espaciados a 20 cm) y la revegetación (remoción de la vegetación exist...

show abstract

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 91%

Restoring degraded riparian meadows: Biomass and species responses

Martin¹,

Chambers²

2001

REM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Grazing reduced the height of standing dead materials in all sites except Estevan and Parkbeg. Litter cover and accumulation, measured by its thickness, were also reduced by grazing, similar to previous reports (Schulz and Leininger 1990). Clubmoss cover was site dependent, but grazing tended to increase the cover of dead clubmoss in at least 2 moderately grazed sites (GNP and Arena).…”

Section: Effect Of Grazing On Sward Structuresupporting

confidence: 89%

Relationship between plant species diversity and grassland condition

Bai¹,

Abouguendia²,

Redmann³

2001

REM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although the maintenance of biodiversity has become one of the goals in ecosystem management, the relationships of diversity to ecosystem characteristics such as level of herbivory, productivity, and vegetation structure are still poorly understood. We examined these relationships in 8 native grassland sites differing in grazing histories and range condition in the Mixed Grassland (6), Moist Mixed Grassland (1) and Aspen Parkland (1) ecoregions of southern Saskatchewan. Range condition, assessed using standard methods, ranged from fair to excellent. The Shannon's diversity index followed a curvi-linear relationship with range condition, increasing from fair to good, but decreasing from good to excellent condition, within a range between 0.66 and 2.58.

show abstract

“…However, we expected that livestock grazing would affect the amount of live vegetation during the entire year, not just during the spring. Previous studies consistently found more litter inside exclosures, which would correspond to a lower proportion of live vegetation [41][42][43]. The proportion of live vegetation mass did not differ between 1994-95 and 2005-06.…”

Section: Mass Of Live Vegetationmentioning

confidence: 60%

Differences in Vegetation and Native Ungulate use between Exclosures and Cattle Grazed Plots in Sheep River Provincial Park, Alberta

Brown¹,

Ruckstuhl²

2012

J Ecosys Ecograph

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cattle grazing can cause significant changes in quality and quantity of forage available to the wildlife. The effects of livestock on native ungulates are still unclear, and range from positive to negative depending on the season. The objectives of our study were to determine the impact of cattle grazing on the vegetation biomass and quality by comparing twenty-four livestock exclosures and corresponding grazed plots. Use of exclosures by bighorn sheep and elk were evaluated. Furthermore, we compared proportion of live vegetation and forbs from 1994-95 to 2005-06 to investigate long-term changes in the vegetation quality and biomass. As predicted, higher vegetation biomass and lower quality was found inside the exclosures during some of the months. The proportion of live vegetation found within an area was negatively correlated with acid detergent fiber (ADF) and positively correlated with crude protein indicating higher net energy and nutritional value. More forbs were found in the lightly grazed areas. Number of fecal groups did not differ significantly between exclosures and grazed plots. The number of sheep groups sighted was higher in grazed plots than exclosures during the summer, but not during the winter. The proportion of live vegetation and biomass did not change between 1994-95 and 2005-06, but more forbs were found in 2005-06 than before. Overall, most of our results corresponded well with previous studies. Care must be taken to ensure that nutritional requirements of native ungulates are met during the winter, as a decrease in vegetation biomass due to cattle grazing was more pronounced than the increase in quality during this time.

show abstract

Differences in Riparian Vegetation Structure between Grazed Areas and Exclosures

Cited by 160 publications

References 6 publications

Restoring degraded riparian meadows: Biomass and species responses

Restoring degraded riparian meadows: Biomass and species responses

Relationship between plant species diversity and grassland condition

Differences in Vegetation and Native Ungulate use between Exclosures and Cattle Grazed Plots in Sheep River Provincial Park, Alberta

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About