Document Type

Report

Publication Date

1985

Abstract

Cover, yield, and nutrient concentrations of grasses were sampled on tree-harvested and nonharvested plots on north, west, and south aspects of a singleleaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla)-Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) stand. Grass cover increased rapidly the first 2 years following tree harvest, but the rate of increase declined over the next 2 years. Grass yield varied among aspects and soil microsites on tree-harvested plots but not on the nonharvested plots where tree competition masked aspect and microsite effects. All grass species had greater yield and greater percentage nitrogen and phosphorus on harvested than on nonharvested plots. Low digestibility of some species may reduce potential livestock gains. On tree-harvested plots, the tree-associated microsites (duff and transition) had higher grass yield per unit area than the interspace microsites between trees. Tree harvesting decreased the area required per animal unit month from 27 to 7 acres (11 to 3 ha) (north) and 42 to 5 acres (17 to 2 ha) (west), but had no effect on the south aspect (40 acres, or 16 ha). Protein levels were adequate for livestock on tree-harvested plots (north and west) but below levels recommended for deer.

Comments

SuDocs call # A 13.78:INT-334

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