Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Grazing history affects willow communities in a montane riparian ecosystem
Author
Holl, K. A., W. C. Leininger, M. J. Trlica
Publication Year
1969
Body

The effects of grazing intensity on a montane willow community in the Sheep Creek riparian ecosystem located in Roosevelt National Forest (40˚ 56.46’ N, 105˚ 39.55’ W) of Colorado was investigated. Twelve grazed and ungrazed areas were compared and the impacts of grazing intensities were examined over an 11-year period (1988 to 1999). In 4 grazing treatments: long-term grazing (early 1900s), long-term grazing exclusion (exclosures built in the 1950s), recent grazing (exclosures opened in 1988), and recent grazing exclusion (exclosures built in 1988) willow (Salix spp.) population characteristics such as canopy cover, species diversity, height, and stem density in a riparian ecosystem were recorded. Grazing was season long from June until September.

Language
en
Keywords
Salix
population dynamics
cattle grazing
grazing exclusion
riparian areas
willow height
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