In this study, soil water dynamics were measured in pastures that were seeded with annual (Triticosecale, Triticosecale and Hordeum vulgare) or perennial (Bromus inermis, Bromus riparius) species and exposed to three grazing intensities. Pastures seeded with perennial species had greater evapotranspiration rates, water use efficiency and plant production than pastures seeded with annual species, which had greater accumulated soil water. Increasing grazing intensity tended to decrease water use efficiency and heavy grazing enhanced surface and accumulated soil water, possibly due to decreased interception by vegetative cover. These results indicate that plant species and grazing intensity affect different aspects of soil water dynamics and are factors determining the amount of water available for plant growth in pastures.
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.