http://hdl.handle.net/10150/635557 2026-03-07T00:35:34Z http://hdl.handle.net/10150/650516 Journal of Range Management, Volume 42, Number 3 (May 1989) Complete digitized issue. 1989-05-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10150/645108 Vegetation and soil responses to short-duration grazing on fescue grasslands Dormaar, Johan F.; Smoliak, Sylvester; Willms, Walter D. The effects of animal impact on soil chemical and physical properties as well as range condition were measured over a 5-year period to test the hypothesis that animal impact can improve the nutrient and water status of the soil and promote grassland succession. A seventeen-pasture short-duration grazing system was established in 1981 on 972 ha. The pastures were stocked on average with 278 cows with calves from 1982 to 1986, which was about twice to triple the recommended rate of 0.8 AUM/ha. Increased grazing pressure reduced range condition as reflected by a loss of desirable species such as rough fescue (Festuca scabrella Torr.). Soil moisture was always higher in soils of ungrazed exclosures. Soil bulk density increased while hydraulic conductivity decreased with grazing. Litter was not significantly incorporated into the soil with hoof action. Chitin-N, as a measure of fungal biomass, decreased significantly under the increased grazing pressure. The hypothesis that animal impact would improve range condition was rejected since impact, in the manner applied during the study, resulted in retrogression of the grasslands. 1989-05-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10150/645104 Understory-overstory relationships in ponderosa pine forests, Black Hills, South Dakota Uresk, Daniel W.; Severson, Kieth E. Understory-overstory relationships were examined over 7 different growing stock levels (GSLs) of 2 size classes (saplings, 8-10 cm d.b.h. and poles, 15-18 cm d.b.h.) of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) in the Black Hills, South Dakota. Generally, production of graminoids, forbs, and shrubs was similar between sapling and pole stands. Trends among GSLs were also similar between these tree size classes. Graminoids and forbs were most abundant in clearcuts and the 5 m2/ha basal area. Intermediate amounts were produced at GSLs of 14-23 m2/ha and lowest in unthinned stands which had basal areas ranging from 27-33 m2/ha and 37-40 m2/ha in sapling and pole stands, respectively. Total understory production followed the same trends. Shrubs, however, appeared to produce most at intermediate stocking levels but were variable. Graminoid and forb production were best estimated by the model logY=a+bX. Relationships for total production were better described by Y=a+bX. However, variability of shrub production precluded selection of a single model; the best model varied between tree size classes. Standard errors of the estimate indicate that reasonably good predictive models can be developed for pole and sapling stands considered separately or combined. When years were combined, however, SEs increased markedly, indicating less reliable models. 1989-05-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10150/645092 Technical Note: Evaluating revegetation practices for sandy cropland in the Nebraska sandhills Oldfather, S.; Stubbendieck, J.; Waller, S. S. S. Supplemental irrigation generally increased seedling density the seeding year; however, this response was not maintained the year following seeding. Above-average precipitation minimized the importance of irrigation the seeding year. Seeding mixture appeared important with a 6- and 4-species mixture providing better establishment than a 2-species mixture. This was apparently due to the relatively large proportion of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) in the 2-species mixture and its generally poor establishment. The reduced seeding rate resulted in better stand establishment than the recommended rate on a tilled seedbed (1.1 and 0.7 seedlings/0.1 m2, respectively), while neither seeding rate provided an acceptable stand (>0.5 seedlings/0.1 m2) with the no-till treatment in small plot evaluations. Seedbed tillage also resulted in a higher seedling density than no-tillage (1.3 and 0.5 seedlings/0.1 m2, respectively) for the production-level field trial. Seedling density was doubled with depth bands (1.2 vs. 0.6 seedlings/0.1 m2). These results suggested that a tilled seedbed on sandy cropland with adequate moisture results in successful stands. A native, warm-season grass mixture (4 or more species) is recommended with a seeding rate of 15 PLS/0.1 m2 using equipment with depth bands. 1989-05-01T00:00:00Z