The impacts of light and moderate cattle grazing on vegetative cover and species composition in areas surrounding cold-water springs on three watersheds on the Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center in California were examined. Three treatments (no grazing, light grazing, moderate grazing) were randomly applied to 3 spring creek systems in each of the three watersheds from 1993 through 1997. Cattle grazed following autumn germination (usually November), were removed for the winter and returned for spring season (February through April). Put and take stocking was used to meet residual dry matter stubble heights during the grazing season. Permanent vegetation transects were established and measure annually in the spring from 1992 through 1997. Species cover was estimated 6 times during the summer of 1997.
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.