Swanson, Sherman

Wyman, Sandra

English

University of Kentucky

University of Kentucky UKnowledge International Grassland Congress Proceedings 21st International Grassland Congress / 8th International Rangeland Congress Grazing Management Processes and Strategies for Riparian Wetland Areas Sandra Wyman Bureau of Land Management Sherman Swanson University of Nevada, Reno Follow this and additional works at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc  Part of the Plant Sciences Commons, and the Soil Science Commons This document is available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/21/7-1/29 The 21st International Grassland Congress / 8th International Rangeland Congress took place in Hohhot, China from June 29 through July 5, 2008. Proceedings edited by Organizing Committee of 2008 IGC/IRC Conference Published by Guangdong People's Publishing House This Event is brought to you for free and open access by the Plant and Soil Sciences at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in International Grassland Congress Proceedings by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact UKnowledge@lsv.uky.edu. 瞯 ]846　 瞯 　 Multifunctional Grasslands in a Changing World 　 Volume Ⅰ 　Grasslands/Rangelands Resources and Ecology ———Water Resources in Grasslands/RangelandsGrazing management processes and strategies for Riparian Wetland areasSandra W yman , BLM , National Riparian Serv ice Team , 3050 NE 3rd .St .Prinev ille , OR 97754 USA andSherman Swanson , U .o f Nev ada , 1000 V alley Rd .Reno , NV 89512 USA ssw anson＠ cabnr .unr .eduKey words :Grazing management , riparian‐wetland areas , livestock , adaptive managementIntroduction In arid rangelands , cattle often focus grazing near riparian areas . Excess intensity or duration of grazing generallyleaves inadequate riparian vegetation to stabilize stream banks against the cutting action of flowing water . Woody plants maylose diverse age structure needed for maintaining channel form or fish habitat .An excessively eroding channel may incise orentrench forming a gully that accelerates erosion . An incised stream does not access ( flood) its floodplain so flood waters cannot recharge an aquifer . Water rushes downstream in the wet season or during storm events , increasing downstream impactsrather than soaking into upstream floodplain soil and aquifers where it could have supported vegetation , dry‐season flows ,forage , and habitat .Methods A technical reference Graz ing Management Processes and Strategies f or Riparian Wetland A reas ( Wyman et al２００６) was developed to assist livestock operators and land managers in developing successful riparian‐wetland grazingmanagement strategies across a wide array of land types .Because of the complexity of riparian‐wetland areas and issues , thistechnical reference does not set forth a formula or rules for identifying the type of grazing strategy best suited for an area .Rather , it provides information to help livestock managers collaborate to design appropriate grazing strategies for soil ,vegetation , water , wildlife , and livestock needs .Results and discussion Basic topics covered in this technical reference include riparian‐wetland area attributes and processes ,riparian resource assessments and inventories , development of resource management objectives , management strategy factors ,grazing treatments , and collaborative monitoring .Alternatives to passive continuous grazing , employing rest or deferment fromgrazing when appropriate , and considering the associated uplands and the entire water catchment and its resources helps themwhen developing a grazing management strategy .Examples of tools , techniques , treatments , and success stories are provided .The reference is intended to provide the background and information needed for management of riparian area resources whilemaintaining the economic viability of the grazing enterprise . It ensures that everyone involved clearly understands riparianfunction and management objectives , and understand how they can benefit from proper management and improved riparianconditions . Flexibility in the grazing management plan accommodates changes in weather and what is learned from monitoringinformation , in a timely manner .Conclusions It is important to manage grazing so that water loving plants grow vigorously and retain the structure needed todissipate the energy of high flows post‐grazing to permit natural stream function . Consequently , it is important to consider theentire water catchment and its resources when developing a grazing management strategy . A successful grazing managementstrategy meets the needs of the operator , livestock , wildlife , and upland and riparian resources . Monitoring how well thestrategy meets these needs and adapting as necessary perpetuates success .ReferencesWyman , S . , D .Bailey , M .Borman , S .Cote , J .Eisner , W .Elmore , B .Leinard , S .Leonard , F .Reed , S .Swanson , L .VanRiper , T .Westfall , R .Wiley , and A .Winward .２００６ .Riparian area management : Grazing management processes andstrategies for riparian‐wetland areas .Technical Reference １７３７‐２０ .BLM /ST /ST‐０６ /００２ ＋ １７３７ .U .S .Department of theInterior , Bureau of Land Management , National Science and Technology Center , Denver , CO .１０５ pp .http :/ / www .blm .gov / or / programs/ nrst / files/ Final％ ２０TR％ ２０１７３７‐２０ .pdf

Grazing Management Processes and Strategies for Riparian Wetland Areas

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Grazing Management Processes and Strategies for Riparian Wetland Areas

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