Naeth and Chanasyk monitored soil water and evapotranspiration in four grazing treatments (short duration, heavy and severe grazing treatments, and continuous, heavy and severe grazing treatments), as well as a control. Surface soil water was lowest in control and highest in continuous, severe treatments. However, total profile soil water showed the opposite trend. Soil water was generally below permanent wilting point by mid-summer and profile soil water was similar across treatments by the autumn. Soil water was near or over field capacity each spring, showing the importance of snow melt. Only summer rainstorms greater than 75mm recharged soil water to field capacity.
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.