Influence of mesquite on vegetational changes under two grazing strategies in southern New Mexico

TitleInfluence of mesquite on vegetational changes under two grazing strategies in southern New Mexico
Publication TypeThesis
Year of Publication1983
AuthorsMcNeely RP
Number of Pages61
Date Published1983
UniversityNew Mexico State University
CityLas Cruces, New Mexico
Thesis TypeM.S. Thesispp
Call Number00213
Keywordscattle, grazing strategies, dissertation, dissertations, grazing strategies, mesquite, grazing strategies, mesquite, vegetation changes, plant,Prosopis, Prosopis, vegetation change, rangeland, grazing strategies, rangeland, influence of mesquite, theses, thesis, vegetation change,mesquite influence
AbstractSeasonal suitability and continuous yearlong grazing systems were initiated in 1967 on desert rangeland on the College Ranch in southern New Mexico. Cover, composition and production were measured on 220 permanent transects in 1968 and 1982. Herbicide was applied to mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) between 1958 and 1964 on extensive areas of the study pastures. Mesquite cover and density were significantly lower (P<.10 in="" the="" herbicide-treated="" areas="" than="" nontreated="" between="" herbicide="" treatments="" and="" years="" black="" grama="">Bouteloua eriopoda) and dropseed (Sporobolus spp.) cover did not increase significantly (P>.10). Threeawn (Aristida spp.) cover increased (P<.10 between="" and="" in="" nontreated="" areas.="" the="" principle="" of="" seasonal="" suitability="" system="" is="" to="" provide="" a="" grazing="" for="" areas="" which="" different="" vegetation="" types="" range="" condition="" classes="" are="" found.="" data="" indicated="" that="" did="" not="" prove="" superior="" yearlong="" varied="" condition.="">