The animal science department is involved in a number of rangeland resource research projects. Many of these projects have been funded in part by the Agricultural Research Initiative.
Effects of High Density-Short Duration and Open Cattle Grazing on Oak Woodland/Savanna Rangeland
00-3-014 || Hall, Michael
Evidence shows that grazing by domestic livestock plays an important role in the ecological system of California's 40 million acres of rangeland. Two different types of grazing regimens, high intensity-short duration (HISD) and open grazing will be compared against no grazing to quantify the affect that grazing has on forage diversity, productivity and quality. Limited scientific research has been conducted to quantify the affect that grazing has on our California ecosystem. The objective of this study will quantitatively assess the impact of HISD on natural ecosystems, and particularly on the oak/woodland savanna (OWS) rangelands that are so important to the cattle industry in California. Specifically, the research consists of quantitative comparisons in grazed and ungrazed areas and will include detailed measurements of the following:
- Beef production
- Forage productivity and quality
- Soil quality, erodeability, and soil nutrient content
- Pasture cover and species diversity
- Natural oak recruitment
The working hypothesis of the research is that good grazing practices will enhance forage production and quality, therefore increasing beef productivity.
Implementation and Comparison of Best Management Practices in Reducing Non-Point Pollution and Improving Water Quality in the Brizzolara and Stenner Creeks on the Cal Poly Campus
01-3-006 || Hall, Michael H.
Documented evidence shows that grazing of domesticated animals in riparian areas is a cause of non-point source water pollution. No longer can cattlemen allow their livestock to freely roam pastures when riparian areas are present without causing detrimental effects to the landscape and water quality. Cal Poly's outside laboratories and grazing land offer a tremendous opportunity to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) which will provide an excellent laboratory for monitoring research and instruction for good stewardship of our Western rangelands. Specifically, objectives of this project are to:
- Identify sediment load and turbidity, monitor stream temperature
- Identify BMPs which would reduce non-point source pollutants
- Implement selected BMPs, and assess the impact of the selected BMPs on non-point source pollutant reduction.
Paired Watershed monitoring for Water Quality and Sustainable Range Management, Morro Bay Watershed, California
00-3-026 || Moody, Lynn
The Morro Bay estuary is arguably the most important wetland system on the South Central Coast of California. The estuary and its watershed, representing a diverse biological and economic resource to the people of California, are impacted by various pollutants, with sediment of particular concern. As part of a U.S.-EPA-funded National Monitoring Program, a paired watershed study on Cal Poly's Escuela Ranch has shown that BMPs aimed at reducing erosion and sedimentation associated with cattle grazing appear to result in improvement of water quality. The same BMPs have resulted in an increase in residual vegetation that is harvested by the cattle during the dry season. The objective of this proposed study is to extend monitoring of hydrology and water quality for an additional year, and to monitor range forage quality (protein and fiber) for three years.
