Open AccessEffect of canopy and grazing on soil bulk density
Author(s) -
Kenneth W. Tate,
Dennis M. Dudley,
Neil K. McDougald
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of range management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2162-2728
pISSN - 0022-409X
DOI - 10.2458/azu_jrm_v57i4_tate
Subject(s) - grazing , canopy , loam , bulk density , environmental science , grazing pressure , agronomy , soil water , forestry , hydrology (agriculture) , geography , ecology , soil science , biology , geology , geotechnical engineering
This study compared soil surface bulk density between: 1) sites not grazed by cattle > 26 years; 2) sites not grazed for 6 years; 3) sites grazed for 15 years to October residual dry matter levels of > 1100 kg ha-1; 4) sites grazed for 15 years to October residual dry matter levels of 670 to 900 kg ha-1; 5) sites grazed for 15 years to October residual dry matter levels of 0.05) between sites not grazed > 26 years and sites not grazed for 6 years. Grazing to residual dry matter levels of > 1100, 670 to 900, and 6 or 26 years. For the purpose of maintaining soil surface bulk density current residual dry matter recommendations for sites with canopy cover > 50% appear appropriate, but recommendations for open grasslands need additional review. In particular, residual dry matter level must be directly linked to soil surface infiltration capacity.