Seasonal Variation in Chemical Characteristics of Soil Organic Matter of Grazed and Ungrazed Mixed Prairie and Fescue Grassland

Abstract

At Manyberries and Stavely, Alberta, Mixed prairie and Fescue Grassland ranges were grazed at various intensities for 19 and 22 years, respectively. In 1973, 13 chemical characteristics were determined on the organic matter developed in the soils of the ungrazed and heavy grazed treatments at the two locations. Samples were taken in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Organic matter characteristics at both locations were closely associated with seasonal fluctuations and grazing-induced pressures; therefore, the time of sampling and the type of management before sampling soils should be defined in range studies. The results further emphasize the fragility of the equilibrium under which the organic matter of the soil of heavily grazed Mixed prairie at Manyberries forms and exists.