Long‐term Effects of Grazing Management and Buffer Strips on Soil Erosion from Pastures. Issue 2 (1st March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pilon, C.; Moore, P. A.; Pote, D. H.; Pennington, J. H.; Martin, J. W.; Brauer, D. K.; Raper, R. L.; Dabney, S. M.; Lee, J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of Environmental Quality. Volume 46:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 364
• Page End: 372
• Publication Date: 2017-03-01
• Subjects: Agricultural ecology -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Periodicals; 630
• DOI: 10.2134/jeq2016.09.0378
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0047-2425

Abstract

Abstract : High grazing pressure can lead to soil erosion in pastures, causing increased sediment delivery to waterways. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the impact of grazing management and buffer strips on soil erosion by assessing soil physical properties, hydrology, and sediment loads from pastures fertilized with broiler litter. Field studies were conducted for 12 yr on 15 small watersheds. Five management strategies were evaluated: hayed (H), continuously grazed (CG), rotationally grazed (R), rotationally grazed with a buffer strip (RB), and rotationally grazed with a fenced riparian buffer (RBR). Broiler litter was applied every year at a rate of 5.6 Mg ha −1 . Bulk density and penetration resistance were highest for CG watersheds. Runoff volumes, sediment concentrations, and loads were lowest for the H and RBR treatments and highest for CG. Average runoff amounts were 48, 84, 77, 60, and 81 mm yr −1 for the H, R, RB, RBR, and CG treatments, respectively. Annual average sediment loads were 25, 30, 58, 71, and 110 kg ha −1 for H, RBR, R, RB, and CG, respectively. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, Version 2 was reasonably effective at predicting soil loss for the R, RB, and RBR treatments, but it greatly overpredicted soil loss from the CG and H treatments. Converting a pasture to a hay field or using rotational grazing in conjunction with a fenced riparian buffer appear to be effective options for reducing soil erosion and runoff to waterways from pasture soils. Core Ideas: Bulk density and penetration resistance increased in continuously grazed watersheds. Continuous grazing increased total suspended solids load in runoff. Haying resulted in the lowest runoff volumes and sediment loads of all treatments. Rotational grazing with a fenced riparian buffer was effective in reducing erosion.