Severson and Debano conducted a study designed to determine whether goats in a short duration grazing system can be used to reduce chaparral in Arizona, and to evaluate the impact of goat browsing on the vegetation and soil resource. Crushing brush increased the effectiveness of the goats; mean total shrub cover was lower on paddocks where brush was crushed vs not crushed. While there were no differences in shrub live oak (Quercus turbinella) prior to any treatment, by the last sampling date the moderately and heavily stocked, crushed paddocks contained less oak cover than any of the uncrushed paddocks except the heavily stocked ones. Shrubs least preferred by goats were not affected, while preferred browse was impacted at all stocking levels. Goat stocking and brush treatments did not affect perennial herbs, while annuals were generally increased by soil disturbance. Less litter accumulated under shrubs subjected to heavy stocking levels compared to unbrowsed paddocks. Concentration of N and P in the soil were also affected under desert ceanothus (Ceanothus greggii) where the soil bulk density was also increased. The results of this study suggest that goats, with or without initial shrub crushing, can be used to reduce shrub cover in Arizona's chaparral region. However, the authors caution that goat browsing may increase erosion, reduce browse available for wildlife, and negatively affect nitrogen cycling in this area if intensive goat management is not practiced.
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