For 6 years, Willms et al measured changes in vegetation composition and root dynamics inside and outside of exclosures on seeded, mixed-grass and fescue prairie sites, managed with time controlled grazing. Sites exposed to grazing had lower range condition, vegetation density and root mass than areas inside exclosures. Grazing altered species composition in fescue prairie and seeded grasslands by increasing the composition of weeds and decreasing the composition of rough fescue plants. Based on these results the authors concluded that the time-controlled grazing system does not enhance range condition under heavy stocking rates in the seeded, mixed-grass and fescue prairies of Alberta.
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