Dry-year grazing and Nebraska sedge (Carex nebraskensis)

Authors

Raymond D. Ratliff, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fresno, California
Stanley E. Westfall, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fresno, California

Abstract

In 1984 (a dry year), Tule Meadow, in the Sierra National Forest, California, was well grazed after several years of light use. This situation provided the opportunity to study responses of Nebraska sedge (Carex nebraskensis), an important forage species in mountain meadows, to protection and grazing. Rooted shoot frequencies and densities in fall 1984 and spring 1985 were the same within an exclosure and on the grazed area. Residual herbage (shoot weight) in fall and shoot heights in spring were greater within the exclosure. Lower spring shoot heights on the grazed area may relate to fall regrowth and reduced insulation induced by grazing. Nitrogen and potassium content of fall herbage was greater on the grazed area. Phosphorus content was the same both inside and outside the exclosure.

Recommended Citation

Ratliff, Raymond D. and Westfall, Stanley E. (1987) "Dry-year grazing and Nebraska sedge (Carex nebraskensis)," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 47: No. 3, Article 6.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol47/iss3/6