Soil Bulk Density as Influenced by Grazing Intensity and Soil Type on a Shortgrass Prairie Site

Abstract

Soil bulk densities were measured on 2 soil groups under 3 grazing intensities on shortgrass prairie in northeastern Colorado. On coarse-textured soils, soil bulk density means of the 3 grazing treatments were not significantly different. On fine-textured soils, average bulk density in the heavily grazed pasture was 13.4% and 11.8% higher than the lightly grazed and moderately grazed pastures, respectively. For both soil groups combined, bulk density on the heavily grazed pasture was only 6% higher than on the lightly grazed pasture. A significant grazing intensity × soil texture interaction was present, indicating that soil compaction from grazing occurred primarily on fine-textured soils on the study site.