Memmott et al. measured cryptogamic crust cover after two years of spring, summer or winter grazing, to determine how grazing in different seasons effects this fragile vegetative cover. Grazing in all seasons reduced lichen cover, however, moss cover was only reduced in spring and summer grazed pastures. Total cryptogamic crust cover varied among grazing treatments; it was lowest in the summer grazed pasture, intermediate in the spring grazed pasture, and greatest in the winter grazed pasture. The authors suggest that frozen soils reduce the hoof impact caused by cattle grazing in winter and believe that long-term spring and summer grazing could significantly decrease cryptogamic crust cover and increase erosion in this ecosystem.
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.