Seasonal and Livestock Influences in Estimating Foliage Density of Vegetation

Abstract

A knowledge of the influence of advance in season and activity of grazing animals on foliage-density estimates is necessary to properly assess trends or evaluate range treatments. Foliage-density estimates were made at 14-day intervals from June 20 through August 17 of the years 1964 and 1965 at the Scotts Bluff Experimental Range. Significant differences were found in foliage densities of various species among dates of sampling. These differences varied between years of the study. Grazing and trampling of livestock had little effect on foliage-density estimates. Optimum time for estimating foliage density of mixed-prairie vegetation was established as being the period one week prior to and one week following July 20. Grazing influences did not alter these dates.