Biosolids application to rangelands and pastures recycles nutrients and organic matter back to soils. The effects of biosolids (20 and 60 dry Mg ha(-)(1)) and N+P fertilizer on soil aggregate stability, bulk density, aeration porosity, and total C and N of stable aggregates were evaluated 4 and 5 yr after surface application to a crested wheatgrass [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.] pasture in the southern interior of British Columbia (BC). The experiment was established in 2001 in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The 60 Mg ha(-1) biosolids treatment (Bio 60) had a greater aggregate mean weight diameter (MWD) and proportion of water-stable soil aggregates > 1 mm relative to the control and fertilizer treatments. Temporal variation in aggregate stability was attributed to seasonal variations in soil water content. Surface application of 60 Mg ha(-1) of biosolids increased C concentrations within water-stable aggregates relative to the control from 29 to 104, 24 to 79, and 12 to 38 g kg(-1) for the 2 to 6, 1 to 2, and 0.25 to 1 mm size fractions, respectively. The concentration of N within aggregates increased in similar proportions to C. Neither soil bulk density, nor aeration porosity were affected by biosolids application. Increased aggregation and the accumulation of soil C within aggregates following biosolids application creates a potential for better soil C storage, soil water retention, nutrient availability, and ultimately the overall health of semiarid perennial pastures.

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The objective of this study was to determine if application of biosolids is beneficial for restoring semiarid grasslands. The effects of a one-time surface application of biosolids at a rate of 20 Mg ha on individual plant species and plant community composition were examined at three degraded semiarid grassland sites located in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada. Biosolids application did not result in desirable changes in plant species composition at the two drier sites (with annual precipitation <400 mm) yet led to overall positive plant species changes at the least dry site (with annual precipitation of 400 mm). An important late-seral species of semiarid grasslands, bluebunch wheatgrass [ (Pursh) Á. Löve], did not respond or decreased at the two drier sites but increased at the least dry site. Exotic invasive plant species increased on all sites. The total vegetative cover of native perennial grasses increased from 41 to 99% at the least dry site, with important decreases in low-growing, early-seral forb species. Although cheatgrass ( L.) was not significantly increased by the biosolids treatment, the dominance of cheatgrass and lower growing season precipitation at the two drier sites were likely key reasons for the poor biosolids restoration success at these sites. Despite some concerns, there is potential to use biosolids to restore grassland plant communities successfully within 4 or 5 yr on more mesic grassland sites; however, biosolids use on drier sites where exotic invasives are present cannot be recommended.

The response of selected plant species to a single application of factorial combinations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus(P), and sulfur (S) on 2 lodgepole pine (Pinus contorlo Dougi.) clenrcut-logged sites In British Columbia was evaluated over 3 years. Increasing N rates typically resulted in higher forage standing crop on both sites, in all years, but standing crop at Fly Creek was nearly double that at Beaverdam Lake. On both sites, forage yields peaked at 400 kg N/ha in 1982 and carry-over of the fertilizer effect lasted for 3 years although yields declined annually. Addition of P to N applications enhanced (P

This research investigated the potential for using cattle grazing pressure (AU Mg-' ha-') and stocking rate (Animal Unit Days ha-') for predicting basal scarring and browsing of lodgepole pine (pinus conforta Dot@) seedlings on cutblocks in southern British Columbia from 1989 to 1992. Cattle browsing on lodgepole pine seedlings occurred almost exclusively during the fit 2 years of grazing. Browsing increased (P c 0.05; 3= 0.71) with increasing stocking rate only during the first year of grazing. Browsing increased with increasing grazing pressure in 1989 (P < 0.05; If = 0.38) and 1990 (P < 0.05; 9 = 0.39). Basal scarring peaked during the second year of grazing, but was correlated (P < 0.05; 8 = 0.79) with stocking rate only during the first year of grazing. Increasing grazing pressure was associated with higher (P < 0.05) basal scarring during all 4 years of the study, and likely better predicts trampling damage than does stocking rate, particularly during the first year of grazing. Basal scarring during 1989 generally increased to > 10% of sample trees when grazing pressure exceeded 12.0 AU Mg-' ha-'. This threshold grazing pressure value of 12.0 AU Mg-' had, however, cannot likely be extrapolated diitly to other sites. Grazing pressure values and associated basal scarring are unquestionably influenced by many factors (e.g., pasture size, kind of grazing animal, forage species, tree height, water availability, topography, and weather patterns during the grazing period). Nonetheless, our work provides evidence that grazing pressure provides a useful index for predicting the potential for trampling damage of lodgepole pine seedlings by cattle.