Managing grazing of riparian areas in the Intermountain Region

Clary, Warren P.; Webster, Bert F.

doi:10.2737/int-gtr-263

Cited by 57 publications

(55 citation statements)

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“…Meadow communities are among the most productive components of the riparian corridor (Kauffman and Krueger 1984, Knopf et al 1988, Chambers 1994, Chambers et al 1999 and, consequently, often have been degraded by livestock grazing (Kauffman and Krueger 1984, Abel 1989, Clary and Webster 1989, Belsky et al 1999. Livestock trampling decreases soil macropore spaces resulting in soil compaction, reduced root growth, and lowered plant production (Orr 1960, Laycock and Conrad 1967, Bohn and Buckhouse 1985.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Restoring degraded riparian meadows: Biomass and species responses

Martin¹,

Chambers²

2001

REM

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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...

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Restoring degraded riparian meadows: Biomass and species responses

Martin¹,

Chambers²

2001

REM

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“…Strategies with heavy or heavy-to-moderate forage utilization levels, received the lowest overall ranking as suitability for riparian grazing. Clary and Webster (1989) For personal use only. utilization level was the most important factor in determining riparian area health.…”

Section: Forage Utilizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Third, protection from grazing is required during vulnerable periods when banks are saturated and easily damaged, or in autumn when woody species are most vulnerable to browsing. The literature emphasizes several options (Platts and Nelson 1989;Kinch 1989;Clary and Webster 1989) for developing riparian grazing strategies that address the conditions Platts (1991) has highlighted. These include: 1.…”

Section: Riparian Grazing Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can cows and fish co-exist?

Fitch¹,

Adams²

1998

Can. J. Plant Sci.

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. Our paper provides an ecological perspective on the interrelationship between livestock grazing and riparian areas through a review of topical literature. We also describe the Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Project (also known as "Cows and Fish"), and draw upon our experience to provide a perspective on future riparian management actions. Those actions should begin with an understanding that prairie landscapes evolved with herbivores, in a grazing regime timed and controlled by season and climatic fluctuations where grazing by native grazers was followed by variable rest periods. Prevailing range management principles represent an attempt to imitate the natural system and describe ecologically based grazing systems. Traditionally, range management guidelines have focused on grazing practices and impacts in upland, terrestrial rangelands, with a lack of attention devoted to riparian areas.Three decades of riparian investigation have quantified the effect unmanaged livestock grazing can have on range productivity and watershed function. We contend that suitable grazing strategies for riparian areas will be developed first by understanding the function of riparian systems and then by applying range management principles to develop riparian grazing strategies. A key step towards determining the fit of livestock grazing is an understanding of the formation of riparian systems and their ecological function. We describe riparian structure, function and process to provide linkages between livestock grazing, riparian vegetation health and stream channel dynamics. We summarize the effects of unmanaged livestock grazing on riparian habitats and fish and wildlife populations. The general conclusion is that unmanaged grazing results in overuse and degradation of riparian areas. The literature provides several options for the development of riparian grazing strategies. We provide an overview of strategies suitable for riparian areas in Southern Alberta which should maintain ecological function and sustained use. Nous examinons dans une perspective écologique les interrelations entre la paissance par les animaux de ferme et les zones de rivage telles qu'elles se dégagent d'une analyse bibliographique. En outre nous décrivons le Projet de gestion des habitats riverains de l'Alberta (également connu sous le vocable « Des poissons et des vaches » et nous puisons à même notre expérience pour offrir un éclairage sur les futures mesures de gestion des rivages. Ces mesures devraient s'appuyer sur le postulat que les paysages pastoraux ont évolué avec les herbivores selon un régime de paissance réglé par les saisons et par les fluctuations climatiques et dans lequel les phases de pâture par les herbivores naturels étaient suivies de phases de repos plus ou moins longues. Les principes acceptés de gestion des parcours naturels constituent une tentative d'imitation du système naturel. Nous décrivons plusieurs systèmes de pâturage écologique. Depuis toujours, les théoriciens de la gestion des parcours se sont intéressés surtout au...

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“…Season-long use is considered detrimental to riparian meadow habitats (Gillen et al 1985). Clary and Webster (1989) note that the complex array of factors controlling community dynamics seem to confound the theoretical benefits of various grazing regimes in riparian habitats. Wet meadows are relatively resilient, however.…”

Section: Ri~arian Habitatsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vegetation Description, Rare Plant Inventory, and Vegetation Monitoring for Craig Mountain, Idaho.

Mancuso¹,

Moseley²

1994

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Managing grazing of riparian areas in the Intermountain Region

Cited by 57 publications

References 0 publications

Restoring degraded riparian meadows: Biomass and species responses

Restoring degraded riparian meadows: Biomass and species responses

Can cows and fish co-exist?

Vegetation Description, Rare Plant Inventory, and Vegetation Monitoring for Craig Mountain, Idaho.

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