Upland Water and Deferred Rotation Effects on Cattle Use in Riparian and Upland Areas – A Reply to Carter et al. 2017

Abstract

A recent publication by Carter et al. (2017) presents research on the effects of deferred rotation grazing and water provisioning on a suite of environmental variables. We detail issues that call into question the validity of the results and conclusions reported by the authors. Data were not collected in a scientifically rigorous way. Sufficient detail is not presented for the study to be replicated. The authors do not adhere to standard statistical definitions or assumptions. The study suffers from unaccounted for pseudoreplication. The authors draw conclusions beyond the reasonable scope of inference.