10.5061/DRYAD.QC264
Larson, Danelle M.
Kansas State University
Dodds, Walter K.
Kansas State University
Whiles, Matt R.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Fulgoni, Jessica N.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Thompson, Thomas R.
Missouri Department of Conservation
Data from: A before-and-after assessment of patch-burn grazing and
riparian fencing along headwater streams
Dryad
dataset
2016
before-after control impact (BACI)
vegetation buffer
Pyric herbivory
Water quality
prairie
2016-05-31T20:32:58Z
2016-05-31T20:32:58Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12692
9368894 bytes
1
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Fire and grazing are common in grasslands world-wide to maintain grass
cover and cattle production. The effects of fire, cattle grazing and
riparian fencing efficacy on prairie stream ecology are not well
characterized at catchment scales. We examined alterations to stream water
quality and biology from patch-burn grazing (PBG) in tallgrass prairie
during a five-year, replicated, catchment scale experiment that used a
Before-After/Control-Impact (BACI) design and was analysed by
mixed-effects models. Treatments included two patch-burned control
catchments (fire but no grazers) and PBG in two riparian-fenced and two
unfenced catchments. We assessed the effectiveness of riparian fencing for
mitigating potential water quality impacts by monitoring water quality and
riparian usage by cattle via Global Positioning System. Riparian fences
effectively excluded cattle; however, in unfenced pastures, cattle
aggregated along streams 10–20% of the grazing season. After initiation of
PBG, we detected large increases in some nutrients, Escherichia coli,
algal biomass, primary productivity and community respiration in all
catchments with PBG. Some water quality variables, such as E. coli
concentrations, recovered quickly after cattle were removed from pasture,
which indicated resiliency. Riparian fencing moderately reduced the
impacts to stream variables, indicating either overland flow and/or
subsurface flow allowed nutrients and bacteria to enter the streams.
Synthesis and applications. Patch-burn grazing is a measurable disturbance
that can alter the ecological condition of streams. Riparian fencing
lessened the degree of impact, yet some water quality variables still
exceeded regional reference conditions. Managers will need to assess the
costs of riparian fencing compared to the moderate benefits that fencing
provides to water quality.
Areas of watersheds, burn areas, and riparian zonesSummary data table of
watershed areas, riparian zone areas, and burn areas for each of the study
years.Water and Burn Areas.csvWater Chemistry DataData for years 2009-2013
at Osage Prairie, Missouri. Variables include: ammonium, nitrate, total
nitrogen, total phosphorus, soluble reactive phosphorus, total suspended
solids, organic suspended solids, inorganic suspended solids and
metabolism (gross primary production, community respiration, and net
ecosystem production).Water Chemistry.zipCattle Positions in ArcGISRaw
data files for ArcGIS analysis of cattle location position in 4 watersheds
at Osage Prairie.
Osage Prairie
United States of America
Missouri