. Best management practices for grazing Montana . Grazing; Range management. SElECiiNq key areas aincI kEy spEciEs In rIparIan areas. Key grazing areas should be selected to serve as indicators of grazing management for the entire grazing unit. A key area in a riparian area should be indicative of the rest of the riparian areas in the pasture. If the riparian area is part of a riparian pasture, it should be representative of the pasture. Key areas in riparian grazing units must contain key plant species selected based on their ability to provide streambank stabilization and filtering capabili-
. Best management practices for grazing Montana . Grazing; Range management. SElECiiNq key areas aincI kEy spEciEs In rIparIan areas. Key grazing areas should be selected to serve as indicators of grazing management for the entire grazing unit. A key area in a riparian area should be indicative of the rest of the riparian areas in the pasture. If the riparian area is part of a riparian pasture, it should be representative of the pasture. Key areas in riparian grazing units must contain key plant species selected based on their ability to provide streambank stabilization and filtering capabili- ties, such as native sedges and other deep-rooted grasses and shrubs. On sites where both woody and herbaceous plants will grow, select key species of each type. Several key areas may be selected in a riparian grazing unit. Where uplands and riparian areas are managed in the same grazing unit, select key areas along the riparian zone as well as in upland sites. Areas of animal concentration, such as stream crossings, watering points, fence lines, or gates, should not be selected as key areas because they do not represent the grazing unit as a whole. These types of areas would he considered critical areas. Critical areas are established to monitor a specific re- source concern or goal. Do monitor these areas and redistribute livestock to prevent resource damage, particularly when animals concentrate in the riparian zone. However, critical areas should not be used to evaluate the condition or health of the rest of the pasture. The critical area only tells you what is happening in that critical area! Management options to maintain or restore the health of riparian areas: • Alternate livestock turn in locations from year to year. • Set grazing periods and specific rest periods to protect streambank stability. • Alrernate the season of use from year to year. • Set target grazing use levels to maintain both herba- ceous and woody plants (according to the site's potential) an
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, booksubjectgrazing, booksubjectrangemanagement
