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Grazing
Management - Techniques for Reducing
Intensity of Use by Influencing Distribution
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Figure
3-14
Chiseling
upland areas of club moss that have western wheat-grass in
them has allowed sedge and willow regeneration along this
stream in eastern Montana.
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Improve
Upland Forage
Another
approach to draw livestock out of the riparian area is to improve
upland forage. For example, chiseling of upland areas may result
in significant increases in western wheatgrass when upland conditions
are appropriate. This early growing, palatable forage can pull livestock
out of adjacent bottoms in the early spring when streambanks and
adjacent meadows are most vulnerable to trampling and compaction.
The riparian vegetation in Figure 3-14 recovered significantly after
the upland areas in the background were chiseled. Especially noticeable
is the increase in sandbar willows, which are excellent bank stabilizers
of the fine-grained soils in the riparian area.
In Wibaux County,
Montana, extended rest between grazing has resulted in vigorous
upland plant communities (Figure 3-15). These, in turn, have contributed
to exceptionally healthy woody draws.
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Figure
3-15
Woody draws,
like other riparian area, are closely linked to the surrounding
uplands. |
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