This four year study looked at the relationship of the timing of cattle grazing and riparian degradation. The moisture content of the stream bank, stream flow and the timing of grazing was recorded for nine paddocks with equal riparian and upland areas. Grazing started in late June and ended in early October; each pasture was grazed for 14 days. Authors concluded that the high soil moisture caused the streambank to be more easily damaged by cattle grazing, and in turn, more erosion occurred during high water than in paddocks grazed when the soil moisture levels were lower. This study suggests that the combination of soil moisture, high water flow, and cattle grazing all lead to streambank alteration.
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.