Three new predictions of grazing impacts on arid rangelands: (plant species richness will exhibit a negative but moderate decrease with grazing; a separate degradation state within the impact zone of water points; a suite of plants species will be restricted to grazing relief refuges) were examined in the Simpson Desert in western Queensland, Australia. Two large pastoral properties (23° 20’ S, 138° 30’ E) were used. The study area was concentrated within dune swales that had not been buried by wind-blown sand. Prior to 1980, grazing was light to intermittent grazing, but has since been intensively grazed following the installment of bores/water wells. During prolonged dry periods, pasture become exhausted and as a result, stocking rates are reduced. Vegetative sampling began March 2007 on 68 sites, and conducted using a 31-meter tape line for regular sampling points along with central axis 2-meter wide quadrat where species presence was assigned abundance values. Also, dung density calculations, soil samples and soil penetration tests were conducted along the 31-meter tape line sampling transects and around watering points. A cumulative grazing index (CGI) was created and incorporated surrounding water points with associated grazing history along with distance from water point to water point, thus allowing a spatial grazing score to be applied to sampling sites.
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.