Naeth and Chanasyk quantified the effects of short duration and continuous (season-long) grazing systems on runoff and sediment yield from sloped areas of the foothills fescue grasslands of Alberta. The majority of annual runoff occurred during snowmelt. Snowmelt runoff decreased with increasing grazing intensity and was generally higher from the two heavy treatments and the control than from the severe treatments, due to the higher accumulated snow in the former treatments, which in turn, was due to higher standing vegetation and litter in those areas. Thus, any grazing regime that reduces vegetation markedly, will also reduce snowmelt runoff in this area. Snowmelt sediment yield to runoff volume under snowmelt were generally similar across grazing treatments and dates. Few summer storms caused runoff, and runoff volumes from summer rainstorms were low. As grazing increased, so did rainstorm runoff coefficients and sediment yields. Rainstorm runoff coefficients increased compared to the control due to grazing; with intensity of grazing generally increasing the coefficients consistently only under short duration grazing and occasionally under continuous grazing. Antecedent soil moisture conditions appear to play a significant role in determining whether summer runoff occurs.
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.