Wednesday, November 7, 2007 - 1:35 PM
238-3

Grazing and Military Vehicle Affects on Grassland Vegetation.

Heidi Howard1, Alan Anderson1, and Ryan Limb2. (1) ERDC-CERL, 2902 Newmark Drive, Champaign, IL 61822, (2) Oklahoma State University, 008 Agriculture Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078

Vehicle training, a common disturbance of military lands, is part of a suite of land uses that also includes cattle grazing. Yet, few studies have examined their interaction. Our objective was to assess the effects of vehicle training and grazing on grassland vegetation. Both grazing and training alter vegetation. While the effects of grazing largely depend on stocking rate, vehicle training causes greater disturbance when wet soils are driven on, when vehicles are turned sharply, and as the number of vehicle passes increases.