This study compared simulated values of surface runoff and erosion from two current erosion prediction technologies (WEPP and GLEAMS) to observed data for two grazing pressures on three pasture vegetation types (switchgrass, bermudagrass, and tall fescue), in the Tennessee Valley of Alabama. GLEAMS preformed better than WEPP, although neither model predicted sediment loss within an acceptable level. It was determined that grazing pressure had no significant impact on runoff and erosion from the experiment plots, so the data for each forage were pooled over the same grazing pressure and the correlation between observed an simulated data were analyzed. When sediment loss was analyzed, GLEAMS predicted values were correlated with observed data whereas WEPP predicted values were not. The study suggests that these models may be useful as aids in pasture management in the southeastern U.S., but more refinement to the models and available input data is necessary before predictions will be consistently accurate.
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.