Four different management systems were examined in this southwestern Wisconsin study: grass buffer strips, woody buffer strips, rotational grazing and continuous grazing. Among the treatments, woody buffer strips, rotationally grazed and continuously grazed riparian areas had greater plant species richness than grassy buffer strips, and woody buffer strips had the greatest native plant species richness. Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) was prevalent in grassy buffer strips, common in woody buffer strips, and rare in sites that were rotationally or continuously grazed. The authors found that the rotational grazing on riparian areas offers good erosion control, good aquatic habitat and has higher native grasses than the continuous grazing.
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.