Livestock grazing impacts on infiltration rates in a temperate range of Pakistan.

Abstract

This study was conducted in a temperate range of northern Pakistan in 1987 and 1988. The main purpose of the experiment was to determine a suitable residual phytomass level for the moist temperate ranges of Pakistan. Data were collected for 2 consecutive growing seasons. A completely randomized design, with 4 treatments and 2 replications, was used. The treatments were 4 different residual phytomass levels. A rainfall simulator applied rainfall to 48 flexible circular plots (1m2). Analysis of variance and the LSD multiple mean comparisons determined treatment differences, and stepwise multiple regression identified the important vegetation and soil variables affecting infiltration. The control (no grazing) resulted in the highest infiltration while the treatment having the lowest residual phytomass had the lowest infiltration. Among the independent variables, standing phytomass was the most important variable affecting infiltration. Foliar and basal cover were also highly correlated to infiltration.