Effects of long-term livestock grazing on fuel characteristics in rangelands: an example from the sagebrush steppe
-
Published source details
Davies K.W., Bates J.D., Svejcar T.J. & Boyd C.S. (2010) Effects of long-term livestock grazing on fuel characteristics in rangelands: an example from the sagebrush steppe. Rangeland Ecology & Management (previously Journal of Range Management 1948-2004), 63, 662-669.
Published source details Davies K.W., Bates J.D., Svejcar T.J. & Boyd C.S. (2010) Effects of long-term livestock grazing on fuel characteristics in rangelands: an example from the sagebrush steppe. Rangeland Ecology & Management (previously Journal of Range Management 1948-2004), 63, 662-669.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
Action | Category | |
---|---|---|
Increase number of livestock Action Link |
-
Increase number of livestock
A randomized, replicated, paired, controlled study in 1936-2009 in eight sagebrush steppe sites in Oregon, USA (Davies et al. 2010) found that increasing the number of livestock decreased grass and herb cover, but did not significantly alter shrub cover. Grass and herb cover in grazed areas were lower (grass: 9%, herb: 17%) than in areas that were not grazed (grass: 18%, herb: 24%). However, shrub cover was not significantly different in grazed (16%) and ungrazed (16%) areas. Eight 2 ha fenced areas excluding livestock were established in 1936, and areas adjacent to the fenced areas were grazed by cattle from 1936-2008. Four 20 m transects were established in each study area and vegetation cover was assessed using a line intercept method.
(Summarised by: Phil Martin)
Output references
|