Theme 04: Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
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Publication Date
2001
Location
Brazil
Description
The effects of 12 years of grazing management strategies on carbon (C) distribution and sequestration were assessed on a semi-arid mixed-grass prairie in Wyoming, USA. Five grazing treatments were evaluated: non-grazed exclosures; continuous, season-long grazing at a light (22 steer-days ha-1) stocking rate; and, rotationally-deferred, short-duration rotation, and continuous, season-long grazing, all three at a heavy stocking rate (59 steer-days ha-1). Non-grazed exclosures exhibited a large buildup of dead plant material (72% of total aboveground plant matter) and forb biomass represented a large component (35%) of the plant community. Stocking rate, but not grazing strategy, changed plant community composition and decreased surface litter. Light grazing decreased forbs and increased cool-season mid-grasses, resulting in a highly diversified plant community and the highest total production of grasses. Heavy grazing increased warm-season grasses at the expense of the cool-season grasses, which decreased total forage production and opportunity for early season grazing. Compared to the exclosures, all grazing treatments resulted in significantly higher levels of C (6000-9000 kg ha-1) in the surface 15 cm of the soil. Higher levels of soil C with grazing are likely the result of faster litter decomposition and recycling, and redistribution of C within the 0-60 cm plant-soil system. Grazing at an appropriate stocking rate had beneficial effects on plant composition, forage production, and soil C sequestration. Without grazing, deterioration of the plant-soil system is indicated.
Citation
Reeder, J. D.; Schuman, G. E.; Morgan, J. A.; LeCain, D. R.; and Hart, R. H., "Impact of Grazing Management Strategies on Carbon Sequestration in a Semi-Arid Rangeland, USA" (2001). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 42.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/19/4/42)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Impact of Grazing Management Strategies on Carbon Sequestration in a Semi-Arid Rangeland, USA
Brazil
The effects of 12 years of grazing management strategies on carbon (C) distribution and sequestration were assessed on a semi-arid mixed-grass prairie in Wyoming, USA. Five grazing treatments were evaluated: non-grazed exclosures; continuous, season-long grazing at a light (22 steer-days ha-1) stocking rate; and, rotationally-deferred, short-duration rotation, and continuous, season-long grazing, all three at a heavy stocking rate (59 steer-days ha-1). Non-grazed exclosures exhibited a large buildup of dead plant material (72% of total aboveground plant matter) and forb biomass represented a large component (35%) of the plant community. Stocking rate, but not grazing strategy, changed plant community composition and decreased surface litter. Light grazing decreased forbs and increased cool-season mid-grasses, resulting in a highly diversified plant community and the highest total production of grasses. Heavy grazing increased warm-season grasses at the expense of the cool-season grasses, which decreased total forage production and opportunity for early season grazing. Compared to the exclosures, all grazing treatments resulted in significantly higher levels of C (6000-9000 kg ha-1) in the surface 15 cm of the soil. Higher levels of soil C with grazing are likely the result of faster litter decomposition and recycling, and redistribution of C within the 0-60 cm plant-soil system. Grazing at an appropriate stocking rate had beneficial effects on plant composition, forage production, and soil C sequestration. Without grazing, deterioration of the plant-soil system is indicated.
