Residual Biomass
Residual biomass refers to the weight of vegetation remaining after grazing is concluded. Residual biomass has important rangeland management ramifications because it acts as the source of future plant growth and as soil protection. For these reasons, residual biomass is a useful goal upon which to interpret utilization and base decisions concerning stocking rates. Residual biomass can be directly sampled using any of the methods to determine biomass.
References and Further Reading
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Bartolome, J.W., M.C. Stroud, and H.F. Heady. 1980. Influence of natural mulch on forage production on differing California annual range sites. Journal of Range Management 33:4-8. (pdf)
Bement, R.E. 1969. A stocking rate guide for beef production on blue-grama range. Journal of Range Management 22:83-86. (pdf)
Heady, H.F., and R.D. Child. 1994. Rangeland ecology and management. Westview Press, Boulder, CO. pp. 175-179.
McClaran, M.P., and D.N. Cole. 1993. Packstock in wilderness: Use, impacts, monitoring, and management. General Technical Report INT-301. Intermountain Research Station, United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Ogden, UT. pp. 10-12.