Soil samples from pastures in Wyoming, which were grazed for 11 years using three management practices, were collected and compared to those subjected to light grazing and livestock exclosures. Results of the study indicate that responsible grazing strategies implemented 11 years earlier did not detrimentally affect soil organic carbon and nitrogen levels in the active and important upper 30 cm of the soil profile under native mixed-grass rangeland. Soil organic carbon and nitrogen in the surface 7.6 cm of soil were significantly lower in the exclosure compared to all of the grazing management strategies. No differences existed between any of the grazing strategies, except that in the 3.8-7.8 cm soil depth the organic carbon was significantly lower under the continuous-light grazing strategy than under any heavily grazed management, but was still significantly greater than in the exclosure. The data indicate that grazing enhanced the overall soil quality as assessed by these parameters, and that plant production should be sustainable.
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.