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10 June 2019 Livestock Riparian Guidelines May Not Promote Woody Species Recovery Where Wild Ungulate Populations Are High
Joshua P. Averett , Michael J. Wisdom , Bryan A. Endress
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Abstract

Stubble height, streambank alteration, and woody species use are indicators used to monitor livestock impacts on riparian areas in the western United States. Effects of wild ungulates on riparian conditions are often not monitored and assumed to be represented by indicators developed for livestock. We tested this assumption by evaluating effects of elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) on grazing indicators along Meadow Creek, a salmonid-bearing stream in northeastern Oregon. Wild ungulates reduced stubble height by 20% to 30%. Mean streambank alteration was 1.1% (ranged from 0.3–8%). Woody species use was negatively related to stubble height and positively related to streambank alteration (P < 0.05). Despite maintenance of stubble height and streambank alteration within regulatory guidelines, wild ungulate use of preferred woody species was moderate to high (> 50%). Adherence to guidelines developed for livestock may not result in desired riparian conditions where wild ungulate populations are high.

© 2018 The Society for Range Management. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Joshua P. Averett , Michael J. Wisdom , and Bryan A. Endress "Livestock Riparian Guidelines May Not Promote Woody Species Recovery Where Wild Ungulate Populations Are High," Rangeland Ecology and Management 72(1), 145-149, (10 June 2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2018.07.008
Received: 11 June 2018; Accepted: 10 July 2018; Published: 10 June 2019
KEYWORDS
riparian monitoring
streambank alteration
stubble height
wild ungulate herbivory
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