Long-term grazing had minimal impacts on soil microarthropod populations and their depth distribution. Linotetranidae exhibited the only considerable difference in depth distribution from grazing, with a mean depth of 14 cm under light grazing and 28 cm under heavy grazing. There was 19% more soil water on the heavily grazed treatments. This positive effect of grazing may have offset a negative effect such as less vegetation and litter biomass, leading to an overall trend of grazing not having a large influence on soil microarthropods. Several soil microarthropod groups such as Pseudococcidae, Ascidae, Tenuipalpidae, and Acaridae increased with heavy grazing. Whereas groups such as Tardigrade and Bdellidae decreased with heavy grazing. No relationships between orders or families that increased or decreased with grazing were prevalent. Grazing impacts may have been obscured due to grazing plot differences such as slope position.
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.