The Influence of Livestock Trampling Under Intensive Rotation Grazing on Soil Hydrologic Characteristics

Abstract

Infiltration rate decreased significantly and sediment production increased significantly on a site with a silty clay surface soil devoid of vegetation following periodic trampling typical of intensive rotation grazing systems. The deleterious impact of livestock trampling generally increased as stocking rate increased. Damage was augmented when the soil was moist at the time of trampling. Thirty days of rest were insufficient to allow hydrologic recovery. Soil bulk density, aggregate stability, aggregate size distribution and surface microrelief were related to the soil hydrologic response of the trampling treatments.