Cattle grazing has varying impacts on stream-channel erosion in oak woodlands

Gerlach, J; George, M; Larsen, R; McDougald, N; Fulgham, K; Tate, K

Cattle grazing has varying impacts on stream-channel erosion in oak woodlands

Authors

John D. Gerlach
Melvin R. George
Royce E. Larsen
Neil K. McDougald
Kenneth O. Fulgham
Kenneth W. Tate

Authors Affiliations

J.D. Gerlach, Jr., is Post-Doctoral Researcher, Department of Agronomy and Range Science, UC Davis; M.R. George is Extension Rangeland Management Specialist, Department of Agronomy and Range Science, UC Davis; R.E. Larsen is Watershed Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE), Paso Robles; N.K. McDougald is Livestock, Range and Natural Resources Advisor, UCCE Madera; K.O. Fulgham is Professor of Range Management, Humboldt State University, Arcata; K.W. Tate is Extension Rangeland Watershed Specialist.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 58(3):138-143. DOI:10.3733/ca.v058n03p138. July 2004.

PDF of full article, Cite this article

Abstract

We conducted a 5-year study on the impact of grazing on stream-channel bare ground and erosion, and a 3-year study of cattle-trail erosion on intermittent stream channels draining grazed oak-woodland watersheds. While the concentration of cattle along stream banks during the dry season resulted in a significant increase in bare ground, we were unable to detect stream-bank erosion resulting from any of the grazing treatments applied. However, we did find that cattle trails are an important mode of sediment transport into stream channels. While cattle trails are common on grazed rangeland, excessive trailing often indicates that stock watering points are too far apart.

References

Bartolome JW, Frost WE, McDougald NK, Connor JM. Guidelines for Residual Dry Matter (RDM) Management on Coastal and Foothill Annual Rangelands in California. 2002. Oakland, CA: UC DANR Pub 8092. 8p.

Bauer SB, Burton TA. Monitoring Protocols to Evaluate Water Quality Effects of Grazing Management on Western Range-land Streams. EPA 910/R-93-017. 1993. Washington, DC: US Environmental Protection Agency. 179 p

Bonham CD. Measurements for Terrestrial Vegetation. 1989. New York: J Wiley. 338 p

Clary WP, Webster BF. Recommended riparian grazing practices. Proc XXI Int Erosion Control Assoc. 1990. Washington, DC.: p 75–81

Frost WE, McDougald NK, Clawson WJ. Supplemental feeding location in riparian areas of the south Sierra Foothills of California. Proc Western Section, Amer Soc Animal Sci. 1989. p 73–5

George MR, Bartolome JW, McDougald NK, et al. Annual Range Forage Production. 2001. Oakland, CA: UC DANR Pub 8018. 9 p

George MR, McDougald NK, Tate KW, Larsen R. Sediment Dynamics and Sources in a Grazed Hardwood Rangeland Watershed. USDA Forest Service Gen Tech Rep PSW-GTR-184. 2002. p 65–73

Hall FC, Bryant L. Herbaceous Stubble Height as a Warning of Impending Cattle Grazing Damage to Riparian Areas. USDA Forest Service Gen Tech Rep PNW-362. 1995. 10 p

Hooke JM. An analysis of the processes of river bank erosion. J Hydrol. 1979. 42:39-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1694(79)90005-2

Kauffman JB, Krueger WC. Livestock impacts on riparian ecosystems and streamside management implications: A review. J Range Manage. 1984. 37:430-8. https://doi.org/10.2307/3899631

Lewis DJ, Singer MJ, Dahlgren RA, Tate KW. Hydrology in a California oak woodland watershed: A 17-year study. J Hydrol. 2000. 230:106-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-1694(00)00337-1

Lewis DJ, Tate KW, Harper JM, Price J. Survey identifies sediment sources in North Coast rangelands. Cal Ag. 2001. 55(4):32-8.

Marlow CB, Pogacnik TM. Time of Grazing and Cattle Induced Damage to Stream Banks. USDA Forest Service Gen Tech Rep RM-120. 1985. p 270–84

Marlow CB, Pogacnik TM, Quinsey SD. Stream bank stability and cattle grazing in southwestern Montana. J Soil Water Conserv. 1987. 42:291-6.

Rosgen D. Applied River Morphology. 1996. Pagosa Springs, CO: Wildland Hydrology. 290 p

Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project. Status of the Sierra Nevada: Assessment Summaries and Management Strategies. Wild-land Resources Center Rep No 36. 1996. UC Davis: 209 p

Trimble SW, Mendel AC. The cow as a geomorphic agent — A critical review. Geo-morphol. 1995. 13:233-53.

Wells WG, Wohlgemuth PM. Sediment Traps for Measuring Onslope Surface Sediment Movement. USDA Forest Service Res Note PSW-393. 1987.

Wolman MG. Factors influencing erosion of a cohesive river bank. Amer J Sci. 1959. 257:204-16.

Also in this issue:

Comparison of vector-virus relationships of strawberry crinkle plant Rhabdovirus in two aphids (Chaetosiphon fragaefolii and C. jacobi) infected by injection

Water quality key to state's prosperity

Letters

Correction on GE cotton in California

Sudden oak death genome mapped

No safe place to sit in tick-infested forests

West Nile virus spreads

Courses help ranchers, farmers mitigate water-quality impacts

Dairy workers learn husbandry, management skills

Preventing Johne's disease is good all-around dairy practice

Long-term grazing study in spring-fed wetlands reveals management tradeoffs

Transparency tube provides reliable water-quality measurements

Aerial application of clopyralid demonstrates little drift potential and low toxicity to toads

Alternative techniques improve irrigation and nutrient management on dairies

Accuracy of cotton-planting forecasts assessed in the San Joaquin Valley

California handlers describe marketing issues for organic kiwifruit