Cattle Grazing Influence on a Mountain Riparian Zone

Abstract

A combination of management and physical topographic constraints caused cattle to concentrate on the riparian zone early in the grazing season in 1977 and 1978. A large percentage of cattle days and vegetation utilization on the riparian zone occurred in the first 4 weeks of the grazing period. Utilization on herbaceous vegetation was 76 and 72% in 1977 and 1978, respectively. Impact of grazing on the most prevalent species, Kentucky bluegrass was minimal. Shrub use increased with increased maturity of herbaceous vegetation. Utilization of major shrubs was not excessive in either year, and very likely had no long-term effects on either the abundance or vigor of the shrubs.