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  1. Effect of fertilizer applications and grazing exclusion on species composition and biomass in wet meadow restoration in eastern Washington.

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    Author(s): John Beebe; Richard Everett; George Scherer; Carl Davis
    Date: 2002
    Source: Res. Pap. PNW-RP-542. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 15 p
    Publication Series: Research Paper (RP)
    Station: Pacific Northwest Research Station
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.2737/PNW-RP-542
    PDF: Download Publication  (1.09 MB)

    Description

    Fertilizer applications and grazing exclusion were used as restoration strategies in degraded wet meadows in eastern Washington to grow biomass in the root systems where it could not be grazed. We used a split-block design to test vegetation responses to six fertilizer rates, eight fertilizer types, and three grazing treatments after three growing seasons. Little change in plant composition was detected, but weed biomass was reduced by 50 percent in cattle plus elk grazing. Although forb shoot biomass did not increase, grass shoot biomass doubled but was influenced by grazing treatments. Root biomass doubled under fertilizer applications. A 10-percent decline in soil bulk density suggested a reduction in soil compaction. These responses were attributed to the increased root biomass. Optimum fertilization rates of 100 kg/ha were recommended along with carefully administered grazing schedules for meadow community restoration.

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    Citation

    Beebe, John; Everett, Richard; Scherer, George; Davis, Carl. 2002. Effect of fertilizer applications and grazing exclusion on species composition and biomass in wet meadow restoration in eastern Washington. Res. Pap. PNW-RP-542. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 15 p

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    Keywords

    Meadow restoration, grazing treatments, soil bulk density, root biomass, weed reduction, plant composition

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