Navarro et al. measured the long-term (1952-1999) effects of livestock use on range condition and species composition in the Chihuahuan Desert. Range condition was the same after 47 years, however, changes in range condition during the study were generally related to precipitation; being lower during drought and was greater when precipitation was above normal. Compared to 1952, perennial grass cover and shrub cover was similar in 1999 at most sites, however, shrub cover did increase on 2 sites (out of 41 total sites) by the end of the study. Overall, grazing use of forage across sites and years averaged 34% or conservative. Controlled livestock grazing is sustainable on Chihuahuan Desert rangelands receiving from 26-35 cm annual precipitation. These results suggest that light grazing is sustainable and that long term trends in range condition and vegetation are more related to precipitation than impacts caused by light grazing in the Chihuahuan desert.
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