COMPARISON OF LIGHTLY GRAZED AND UNGRAZED RANGE IN THE FESCUE GRASSLAND OF SOUTHWESTERN ALBERTA

Abstract

The influence of grazing on the vegetative cover of fescue grassland in southwestern Alberta was assessed by studying two adjoining sites, one lightly grazed, the other ungrazed. Percentage basal area, yield, water-intake rate, soil temperature, soil moisture, and amount of root material were compared on a paired plot basis.The data showed that light grazing resulted in the development of a richer flora dominated by Danthonia parryi. Protection from grazing appeared to simplify the flora with a trend toward a cover consisting largely of Festuca scabrella. There was little evidence of difference in productivity between the two sites. Cooler and moister conditions prevailed in the upper 12 inches of the soil profile of the ungrazed site as a result of heavy accumulation of mulch. Considerably more root material to a depth of 54 inches was present on the lightly grazed site. The harmful effects of herbage removal, shown by clipping studies, were not apparent in the field study under a light rate of grazing.