GEOG M107 Chapter Notes - Chapter 12: Rangeland Management, Rangeland, Lolium Perenne
Document Summary
Describe erosion rates on different types of land-management systems. Erosion rates normally low on well managed pasture-, range-, and forestland, because good managers maintain an adequate cover of perennial vegetation. Reduces water erosion: intercepts drops reducing erosion from rain, plants reduce velocity of surface flow, greater infiltration. Reduces wind erosion: roots anchoring soil, decreasing wind velocity. Accumulation of organic materials in trees, grasses, and plant residues is credited with reducing global warming by sequestering (trap and store) carbon (that would otherwise accumulate as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere) Intensively managed grazing area in humid climate or irrigated areas in arid/semiarid climates. Unplowed areas where native grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees are used for forage. Some ranges may be fertilized and reseeded to native or exotic grasses, but are seldom or never plowed. Vegetation: native grasses, forbs, shrubs, trees are intensively grazed by animals. Area with growing trees or soil capable of growing trees.
