The authors of this study hypothesized that livestock use around a watering point would reduce soil microtopography and consequently reduce perennial grass composition and cause desertification in the Chihuahuan desert. The results indicate that perennial grass composition was strongly related to microtopography and that microtopographical changes were greater farther away from livestock watering points. Other studies have suggested that the reduced microtopography and perennial grasses around watering points causes increased soil erosion and decreased water storage, which can decrease the ability of desert grassland plant to survive droughts. Based on the evidence provided by this and other studies, the authors suggest that increased livestock use around watering points causes desertification in these areas of the Chihuahuan desert.
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