Heitschmidt et al. measured vegetation dynamics in 14- and 42- paddock rotational grazing systems on Texas grasslands. During 1981, estimated aboveground net primary production (ANPP) in the two RG-14 paddocks averaged 4,088 kg/ha as compared to 5,762 in the single RG-14 paddock. Following subdivision, aboveground net primary production in the RG-14 paddocks averaged 2,533 kg/ha as compared to 2,670 kg/ha in the RG-42 paddocks Although ANPP varied among the 4 years of the study it was not affected by density treatment. Likewise, harvest efficiency varied among years but was unaffected by density treatment. Average harvest efficiency over the 4 years was about 42%, and aboveground biomass dynamics were generally not affected by density treatments.
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.