Chambers and Norton examined natality, mortality, and population turnover of dominant salt desert shrub species under different seasons (winter vs. spring) and intensities (light vs. heavy) of grazing, during a drought period on the Desert Experimental Range in southwestern Utah. Plant responses varied by species, grazing intensity and season of use. The negative effects of grazing were exacerbated by drought conditions, however, in some instances grazing enhanced plant survival and reproduction. In general, spring grazing and heavy grazing had the greatest negative effects while light winter grazing was least detrimental, often beneficial to the shrub species measured in this study.
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