In this study, Willms et al. measured vegetative and soil properties on two soil types (Chernozemic and Solonetzic), in Alberta pastures that were grazed or protected from grazing for 70 years. Protection from grazing did not affect species richness, species evenness or plant nitrogen on either soil type, but increased herbage and nitrogen yield, while at the same time altering species composition on the Chernozemic soil type. The positive and neutral plant and soil responses detected on the Chernozemic and Solonetzic soil types most likely varied because of inherent soil properties and differences in grazing pressure, litter cover and nutrient cycling that occurred. The results of this study indicate that grazing is not required to maintain the grassland plant community on these Alberta pastures, and that some protection may even be beneficial to plants and soils, especially on the Chernozemic soil type.
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