Runoff from Pastures in Relation to Grazing Intensity and Soil Compaction<sup>1</sup>

Alderfer, R. B.; Robinson, Roscoe R.

doi:10.2134/agronj1947.00021962003900110002x

Cited by 59 publications

(41 citation statements)

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“…In Texas, on a silty clay soil, the amount of surface ground cover (both living and dead organic material) was an excellent predictor of water infiltration rate 3 . In Pennsylvania, on clay loam and sandy loam soils, water infiltration was also positively related to surface ground cover and negatively related to cattle grazing intensity 4 . In a review of how animal grazing affects water infiltration, Greenwood and McKenzie 1 cited several studies documenting how moderate to heavy grazing pressure reduced water infiltration compared to ungrazed or lightly grazed treatments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Water infiltration and surface-soil structural properties as influenced by animal traffic in the Southern Piedmont USA

Franzluebbers

Stuedemann

Franklin

2011

Renew. Agric. Food Syst.

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Surface-soil structural condition in perennial pastures is expected to be modified by how forage is (a) harvested through haying or grazing and (b) stimulated through source of nutrients applied, as well as by compactive forces, e.g., grazing cattle or hay harvest machinery. Changes in surface-soil condition can affect hydrologic processes that have important implications for plant growth, greenhouse gas emissions and off-site water quality. We determined the effects of harvest management and nutrient source on the rate of ponded water infiltration and penetration resistance in a bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.]/tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum Schreb. S.J. Darbyshire) pasture on a Typic Kanhapludult in Georgia. During a period when soil was wet (61% water-filled pore space), the rate of water infiltration was 2.8 ± 1.5 times greater when forage was left unharvested as when hayed or grazed (mean ± standard deviation among nine nutrient source × harvest management comparisons). During a subsequent period, when soil was dry (28% water-filled pore space), the rate of water infiltration followed the same treatment pattern, but was not statistically different among harvest-management practices (1.5 ± 0.4 times greater between unharvested and other systems). Penetration resistance of the surface at 10 cm depth followed the order: unharvested (62 J) < hayed (100 J) < low grazing pressure (119 J) < high grazing pressure (137 J). Water infiltration during the wet period was negatively related (P ⩽ 0.01) to soil-water content (r = − 0.57), penetration resistance at 0–10 cm depth (r = − 0.50) and bulk density at 3–6 cm depth (r = − 0.53), but was positively related to surface residue C (r = 0.47) and soil organic C concentration at 12–20 cm depth (r = 0.42). These results suggest that complex soil physical (i.e., aggregation, penetration resistance and infiltration) and biological (i.e., plant growth, surface residues and soil organic matter) interactions occur in pastures. We conclude that well-managed grazing systems with excellent ground cover should have adequate hydrologic condition to promote pasture productivity and limit environmental contamination from runoff. Further work is needed to understand the linkages between field- and watershed-scale hydrology in perennial pastures and their implications on water quality.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Water infiltration and surface-soil structural properties as influenced by animal traffic in the Southern Piedmont USA

Franzluebbers

Stuedemann

Franklin

2011

Renew. Agric. Food Syst.

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“…Soil losses from forage systems are generally low (Gard et al 1943) because of improved soil structure (Entz et al 2002), increased soil microporosity (McDowell et al 2003), rainfall infiltration (Alderfer and Robinson 1947), protection of soil surface from raindrop impact (Pearce et al 1998), and filtration of sediment from surface runoff (Pearce et al 1998). Despite the benefits associated with forage production systems, several reports have implicated livestock grazing in the degradation of surface water quality (CAST 2002;Gillingham and Thorrold 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grazing Management Effects on Sediment and Phosphorus in Surface Runoff

Haan

Russell

Powers

et al. 2006

Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Sediment and phosphorus (P) in runoff from pastures are potential non-point-source pollutants in surface waters that may be influenced by surface cover, sward height, treading damage, surface slope, soil moisture, and soil P. The objectives of the current study were to quantify sediment and total P loads in runoff produced during simulated rainfall from pastures and to evaluate their relationships with the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil and sward. Five forage management treatmentsungrazed (U), hay harvest/fall stockpile grazing (HS), continuous stocking to a sward height of 5 cm (5C), and rotational stocking to sward heights of 5 (5R) or 10 (10R) cm-were established in triplicate 0.40-ha paddocks in 3 smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) pastures for 3 years. Rainfall simulations were conducted at a rainfall intensity of 7.1 cm h À1 for 1.5 hours over a 0.5-m 2 area in 3 locations at 2 slope ranges in each paddock in June, August, and October of each year and the subsequent April. Forage management did not affect mean sediment load (7.3 6 5.0 kg ha À1 h À1 ). Mean total P load was greatest from 5C treatment (0.071 6 0.011 kg ha ). Of the soil and sward characteristics measured, percentage surface cover was most highly related to sediment load (R 2 ¼ 0.16) and total P load (R 2 ¼ 0.10). Surface runoff from pastures managed to maintain adequate residual forage cover did not contribute greater sediment or P to surface waters than an ungrazed grassland. ResumenLos sedimentos y fó sforo (P) contenidos en los escurrimientos provenientes de los praderas son fuentes potenciales de contaminació n no puntual de las aguas superficiales que pueden estar influenciados por la cobertura del suelo, altura de la pradera, el dañ o por pisoteo, la pendiente de la superficie, la humedad y P del suelo. Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron cuantificar los sedimentos y cargas totales de P en el escurrimiento producido durante lluvias simuladas en praderas y evaluar sus relaciones con las características físicas y químicas del suelo y la pradera. Se establecieron cinco tratamientos de manejo del forraje: sin apacentamiento (U), cosecha de heno/ almacenamiento en pie en otoñ o (HS), apacentamiento continuo de la pradera hasta los 5 cm de altura del rastrojo (5C), apacentamiento rotacional hasta 5 cm (5R) y 10 cm (10R) de altura del rastrojo. Los tratamientos se establecieron por triplicado en potreros de 0.40 ha en tres praderas de ''Smooth bromegrass'' (Bromus inermis Leyss.) durante tres añ os. Las simulaciones de lluvia se condujeron a una intensidad de 7.1 cm hr À1 por 1.5 horas sobre un área de 0.5-m 2 en tres puntos y dos rangos de pendiente en cada potrero y se llevaron a cabo en Junio, Agosto y Octubre de cada añ o y en Abril del añ o siguiente. El manejo del forraje no afectó la media de carga de sedimento (7.3 6 5.0 kg ha À1 h À1 ). La media de la carga de P total fue mayor en el tratamiento 5C (0.071 6 0.011 kg ha À1 h À1 ), fue igual entre los tratamientos U, HS y 10R (0.019 6 0.011 kg ha...

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“…Research conducted on Western rangeland conditions has shown that overgrazing of forages or the increased space between bunchgrasses near surface waters decreases the effectiveness of the forage to reduce the velocity of overland water flow (Temple 1982;Masterman and Thorne 1992), thereby increasing the risk of sediment and nutrient loading of the streams (Alderfer and Robinson 1947;Warren et al 1986). Overgrazing may be caused by high stocking rates (Manley et al 1997), long grazing duration (Krueger et al 2002), or congregation of cattle near streams (Tate et al 2003), particularly during seasons with low vegetation productivity (Miner et al 1992).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stocking Rate and Riparian Vegetation Effects on Physical Characteristics of Riparian Zones of Midwestern Pastures

Bear

Russell

Tüfekçioğlu

et al. 2012

Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Grazing at high stocking rates May Increase sediment and nutrient loading of streams pasture Through Transport in precipitation runoff and bank erosion. A 3-yr (2007)(2008)(2009)) grazing study was Conducted on 13 cool-season grass pastures to quantify effects of stocking rate and botanical composition on forage sward height, proportions of bare and manure-covered ground, and bank erosion adjacent to streams. Pastures ranged from 2 ha to 107 ha with stream Reaches of 306 m to 1778 m That has drained watersheds of 253 to 5660 ha. Bare and manure-covered ground Were Measured at 15.2-m distance perpendicular to the stream at 30.5-m intervals at up to 30 locations on each side of the stream by the line transect method in May, July, September, and November of each year.At the midpoint of the 15.2-m line, forage sward height was Measured with a falling plate meter (4.8 kg · m -2 ) and plant species identified. In November 2006, fiberglass pins (1.6 × 76.2 cm) 73.7 cm Were driven into the stream bank at 1-m intervals from the streambed to the top of the bank along 10 transect equidistant locations on each side of the stream bank erosion to measure During spring, summer, and fall of each year. Increasing pasture stocking rates Increased manure-covered ground and Decreased sward height, but did not Affect proportions of bare ground. The greatest, intermediate, and Least net soil erosion rates occurred During the winter / early spring, late spring / early summer, and late summer / fall seasons. Stocking rates Between measurements, Expressed as cow-days · m -1 stream, Were not related to bank erosion. Increasing stocking rates per unit of stream length will cover manure Increase and decrease forage sward height, but not Affect proportions of bare ground or bank erosion rates pasture adjacent to streams.THEREFORE, managing stocking rates May reduce nutrient loading of streams pasture. BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting authors, nonprofit publishers, academic institutions, research libraries, and research funders in the common goal of maximizing access to critical research. Stocking Rate and Riparian Vegetation Effects on Physical Characteristics of Riparian Zones of Midwestern PasturesAuthor (s) AbstractGrazing at high stocking rates may increase sediment and nutrient loading of pasture streams through transport in precipitation runoff and bank erosion. ) and plant species identified. In November 2006, fiberglass pins (1.6 3 76.2 cm) were driven 73.7 cm into the stream bank at 1-m intervals from the streambed to the top of the bank along 10 equidistant transect locations on each side of the stream to measure bank erosion during spring, summer, and fall of each year. Increasing pasture stocking rates increased manure-covered ground and decreased sward height, but did not affect proportions of bare ground. The greatest, intermediate, and least net soil erosion rates occurred during the winter/early spring, late spring/early summer, and late summer/fall se...

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Runoff from Pastures in Relation to Grazing Intensity and Soil Compaction¹

Cited by 59 publications

References 0 publications

Water infiltration and surface-soil structural properties as influenced by animal traffic in the Southern Piedmont USA

Water infiltration and surface-soil structural properties as influenced by animal traffic in the Southern Piedmont USA

Grazing Management Effects on Sediment and Phosphorus in Surface Runoff

Stocking Rate and Riparian Vegetation Effects on Physical Characteristics of Riparian Zones of Midwestern Pastures

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Runoff from Pastures in Relation to Grazing Intensity and Soil Compaction1

Cited by 59 publications

References 0 publications

Water infiltration and surface-soil structural properties as influenced by animal traffic in the Southern Piedmont USA

Water infiltration and surface-soil structural properties as influenced by animal traffic in the Southern Piedmont USA

Grazing Management Effects on Sediment and Phosphorus in Surface Runoff

Stocking Rate and Riparian Vegetation Effects on Physical Characteristics of Riparian Zones of Midwestern Pastures

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Runoff from Pastures in Relation to Grazing Intensity and Soil Compaction¹