The effects of grazing and drought on runoff, erosion, and nutrient transport were measured over three years with 12, 50 m² lysimeters on native grassland near Miles City, Montana on the Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory (46˚ 22’ N; 105˚ 5’ W). Five treatments combinations, testing 2 precipitation levels (drought-reduction of growing season precipitation by 80% during second year of the study, non-drought) and 3 levels of grazing (rest-no grazing, grazing during drought only, grazing during and after drought) were applied. Drought treatments were applied during the second year of the study. Six ewes and their twin lambs grazed for one day in early June and early July to achieve moderate use levels (40-50% utilization). Soil chemical and physical properties were measured at the beginning of the study. Storm runoff was measured at each site from the first of May to the end of October with runoff and sediment samples collected from each runoff event.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.