Review and analysis of cattle grazing effects in the arid West, with implications for BLM grazing management in southern Utah: a literature review submitted to the Southern Utah Landscape Restoration Project

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This report summarizes ecological literature about cattle grazing in the arid West, reviewing study results conducted in the Colorado Plateau and the Intermountain West, particularly on lower-elevation sites such as those administered by the BLM in Utah. The information is then used to analyze certain aspects of BLM grazing management in light of both the Utah Standards and Guidelines for Healthy Rangelands (USGHR) (1997) and the findings of the ecological literature review. Ecological impacts reviewed included effects on vegetative communities (community composition, proliferation of exotics, cattle impact studies on plants, and conclusions about cattle grazing in arid vegetative communities); effects of cattle grazing on faunal communities (small and large mammals, birds, fish, and their habitats); and effects of cattle grazing on specific endangered plant and animal species on Utah’s portion of the Colorado Plateau. Summary discussions and conclusions are included regarding cattle grazing in xeric habitats and resulting changes to the physical structure of ecosystems (vegetative structure, soil stability/erosion, presence of cryptobiotic crusts); disruption of critical ecosystem processes; and impacts to hydrology, to stream channel morphology and aquatic habitats, and to wetlands and riparian zones. The often negative effects of cattle grazing improvement projects (such as fencing, stock tanks and other water developments, and vegetation treatments) are included. In light of literature review findings/summaries, an analysis of BLM grazing management in southern Utah is then provided, including compliance issues and tools, evaluation methods, timing of grazing, setting of forage utilization levels. Cattle grazing on Utah lands prevents BLM from meeting the USGHR, and Utah at the time of this review ranked lowest of western states in compliance with the National Fundamentals of Rangeland Health (2001). The review and analysis report seeks to provide extensive evidence with which to steer a better management plan on Utah BLM lands. An extensive literature cited section is provided.

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Electronic File - Zoology: Multiple Species

Generic citation: Jones, Allison. 2001. Review and analysis of cattle grazing effects in the arid West, with implications for BLM grazing management in southern Utah: a literature review submitted to the Southern Utah Landscape Restoration Project. 54 p. Available at: http://wildutahproject.org/files/theLitReview.pdf.
[Sponsored by: the Wyss Foundation.]