Daniel et al assessed soil compaction, on Oklahoma tallgrass prairie pastures, 10 years after grazing treatments were installed, using penetration resistance, bulk density values, and rate of water infiltration. Long-term grazing increased compaction of soils but only in the top 0 to 10 cm. Penetration resistance indicated that only the heavy stocking density had an impact on soil compaction, while bulk density measurements showed that both moderate and heavy stocking densities had a significant impact. For the clay loam soil, the ungrazed treatment had the largest infiltration rate at 29.5 cm/day, while the silt loam was 27.5 cm/day. All grazing treatments had a substantial decrease in the infiltration rate by an order of magnitude, regardless of soil type. Regardless if the effects of compaction are permanent or not, the impact of grazing in this study resulted in a reduced rate of infiltration, and potentially an increase of surface runoff and erosion. Reduced rainfall infiltration can cause loss of pasture acreage and a reduction in forage production.
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.