@mastersthesis {52234, title = {Grazing effects on a desert grassland}, year = {1975}, note = {//NMSU//NONE//}, month = {1975}, pages = {37}, school = {New Mexico State University}, type = {M.S. Thesispp}, address = {Las Cruces, New Mexico}, abstract = {Grazing effects were studied on aerial and underground phytomass, soil cover condition, and on bulk density, organic matter and texture of the soil, on the New Mexico State University Ranch near Las Cruces in August 1975. Total phytomass was not significantly different (P> 0.1) between ungrazed and grazed treatment. However, grazing did change its composition. Grasses made up 78.7 percent and 7.3 percent; forbs 21.3 percent and 92.7 percent of the total phytomass on the ungrazed and grazed areas, respectively. Fluff grass was the only grass that increased in absolute value on the grazed area. Black grama was the most affected grass, decreasing from 483.8 kg/ha on the ungrazed area to 1.6 kg/ha on the grazed area. Total forb phytomass was higher (P<0.01) on the grazed treatment than on the ungrazed treatment. Snakeweed was the most important species on the grazed area. Twoleaf senna was the only forb found on the grazed and not on the ungrazed area. There was 20 percent more bare ground and five times less plant cover on the grazed area than on the ungrazed area. Clay percent in the soil was significantly less (P<0.05) on the grazed area. Organic matter percent was significantly higher (P<0.01) on the ungrazed than on the grazed area.}, keywords = {cattle grazing, effects on plants, dissertation, dissertations, plant, grazing effects, theses, thesis}, author = {Ibarra Gil, Humberto} }