Plant community homogeneity was not influenced by the cattle (Bos taurus) grazing treatments used. Plant diversity increased under all cattle grazing treatments, until a persistent drought led to a decline in diversity. By the end of the study, the cattle stocking rates had more of an impact on phytomass than the grazing system. The seasonal dynamics of the phytomass were greatly influenced by precipitation for all of the forage classes. Forb phytomass was not impacted by stocking rate or grazing system. Important white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) forage, grass and grass-like plants, decreased under short-duration grazing compared to continuous grazing and was greater under moderate stocking rates compared to heavy stocking rates. Ortega et al. suggest continuous grazing and moderate stocking rates to maintain better white-tailed deer habitat.
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