The Ecological role of Cattle Grazing in Montane Meadows of Sierra Nevada Mountains, California

Date of Award

2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

McCord, Elzie

Keywords

Cattle: Livestock, Grazing, Montane Meadow, Sierra Nevada Mountains, Public Lands, Biodiversity, Campgrounds, Road Density

Area of Concentration

Biology

Abstract

The Californian Sierra Nevada Mountains contain a unique ecosystem that supports a high diversity of endemic species. Meadows comprise only a tiny portion of the Sierras, however, their importance to the Sierra Nevada ecosystem far outweighs their size. Grazing has occurred in Sierras for over 100 years. Historically overgrazing has lead to detrimental changes in Sierran meadow vegetation. Today a cattle grazing in the Sierras meadows remains controversial. In this study, I examined the impact of grazing in 10 montane meadows in the Central Sierra Nevada Mountain range. Plant biodiversity and exotic species cover was compared across grazed meadows and grazing protected meadows. Biodiversity and exotic richness among meadows was also compared to proximity of roads and recreation sites. No significant differences were found among grazed and ungrazed meadows. Nor were recreation site and road proximity correlated to biodiversity or exotic ground cover. I conclude that cattle grazing, at the current stocking densities, do not significantly impact meadow biodiversity. Literature concerning the impacts of livestock in the Sierra Nevada ecosystem is reviewed and livestock impacts on vegetation and wildlife populations are discussed.

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