The objective of this study was to determine the effects of season and intensity of grazing on infiltration capacity in mixed prairie and fescue grassland ecosystems of Alberta, Canada. Grazing regimes were of light to very heavy intensities, grazed early, late, and continuously during the growing season. Infiltration rate was reduced more by heavy intensity and/or early season grazing than by light intensity and/or late season grazing as compared to infiltration rates in the controls. In foothills fescue, the moderate grazed treatment was intermediate between the heavy and very heavy grazed treatments and the light grazed and control treatments. Management practices should create a soil surface conducive to absorbing precipitation.
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.