Source: TRUST FOR CONSERVATION INNOVATION submitted to NRP
MANAGING GRAZING TO BENEFIT SOIL AND RIPARIAN ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN SEMI-ARID RANGELANDS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1028016
Grant No.
2022-67019-37134
Cumulative Award Amt.
$649,810.00
Proposal No.
2021-09793
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
May 1, 2022
Project End Date
Mar 31, 2027
Grant Year
2022
Program Code
[A1451]- Renewable Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment: Agroecosystem Management
Recipient Organization
TRUST FOR CONSERVATION INNOVATION
150 POST ST STE 342
SAN FRANCISCO,CA 94108
Performing Department
Working Lands Conservation
Non Technical Summary
In the western U.S., publicly-owned rangelands are used for livestock grazing, water supply, wildlife habitat, and recreation. As such, they provide a wide array of ecosystem services (ESs) of economic, environmental, and societal importance. Balancing these ESs to equally satisfy the needs of producers, land managers, and the public is challenging but necessary to develop sustainable agroecosystems. Innovative livestock grazing, however, has the potential to benefit diverse stakeholders by generating ESs valued by all. For example, our project team previously found that the length of time (duration), and the time of year (timing), livestock spend on a semi-arid rangeland affects water quality, plant recovery, and sage-grouse habitat. In this proposal, we build on these findings by addressing how grazing duration and timing affect four other ESs: soil health, soil carbon (C) sequestration, riparian stability, and herbaceous plant diversity. First, we will examine how historical grazing systems that differed in grazing duration (4-, 2-, and 0-months) and timing (early- and late-season) affected ES generation. Second, we will track how ES generation changes when an innovative short-duration variable-timing grazing system is implemented. Finally, we will determine if profits can be generated from selling the expected accumulation of soil C as offsets into the nascent voluntary C markets. Such an outcome has the potential to support producer livelihoods, benefit society in its fight against climate change, and present a new model of sustainable rangeland management that can be adopted by the rest of the western U.S.
Animal Health Component
30%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
40%
Applied
30%
Developmental
30%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1210110107040%
1210330107040%
1360330107020%
Knowledge Area
136 - Conservation of Biological Diversity; 121 - Management of Range Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0110 - Soil; 0330 - Wetland and riparian systems;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;
Goals / Objectives
The goal of our research is to examine whether innovative grazing strategies that alter traditional grazing duration and timing can balance livestock production with other valued rangeland ESs.Our project team previously found that the length of time (duration), and the time of year (timing), livestock spend on a semi-arid rangeland affects water quality, plant recovery, and sage-grouse habitat. In this proposal, we build on these findings by addressing how grazing duration and timing affect four other ESs: soil health, soil carbon (C) sequestration, riparian stability, and herbaceous plant diversity. First, we will examine how historical grazing systems that differed in grazing duration (4-, 2-, and 0-months) and timing (early- and late-season) affected ES generation. Second, we will track how ES generation changes when an innovative short-duration variable-timing grazing system is implemented. Finally, we will determine if profits can be generated from selling the expected accumulation of soil C as offsets into the nascent voluntary C markets.Objectives1. Examine how historical grazing systems employing different grazing durations and timings affect four target ESs across a semi-arid rangeland, including: soil health (supporting service), soil C sequestration (regulating service), stream bank stability (regulating service), and herbaceous biodiversity (supporting & cultural service).2. Examine how the implementation of an innovative watershed-scale time-controlled rotational grazing system will alter generation of these four ESs.3. Determine whether altering grazing management in semi-arid rangelands can generate profit for managers and ranchers.
Project Methods
Study Site: Research will take place across 56,900 ha of rRich County, UT rangeland historically grazed by beefcow-calf pairs via: season-long grazing or deferred rotation. Grazing duration lastseither 4 or2 months. 2mo systems are grazed early (May15-July15) orlate (July15-Sept15). We have 3 reps/system.We also sample inlarge exclosures as a no-grazing control. Beginning in 2022, a watershed scale time-controlled rotational grazing system will be implemented andthe rangeland will be grazed for shorter durations (2-4 wks). Grazing timingwill shift annually, and some pastures will be rested.Objective 1: Soil health & C storage We will measure 6 soil health metrics: infiltration, moisture, structural stability, bioavailable nitrogen, microbial biomass, and microbial respiration. We consider Soil C separately. Techniques: We will establish transects extending from riparian to upland areas in pastures employing the different grazing timing and duration. We will include 3 riparian areas/grazing system, and 5 transects in two Ecological Site Descriptions states.Transects will cross 3 zones characteristic of riparian areas, plus extend into uplands. We will collect data in each zone in Yr1 to determine baseline conditions. We will measure structural stability 1x/grazing season, and measure infiltration, soil moisture, bioavailable N, microbial biomass, and microbial respiration monthlyin the top 10 cm of soil. We will measure microbial respirationusing vented static greenhouse gas chambers. We will measure organic, inorganic, and, total C in the 2 soil horizons commonly found in our rangelands1x during the grazing season. We will measure soil bulk density. Analyses: We will use separate linear mixed effects models to determine legacy effects of different grazing systems on soil health and C. In models examining effects of grazing duration, fixed effects will be grazing duration, ESD transition state, and riparian zone, and random effects will be riparian area, transect, and month. In models examining the effects of grazing timing, fixed effects will be grazing timing, ESD transition state, and riparian zone, and random effects will be riparian area, transect, and month. Expected results: We expect soils will be 'healthier' and stocks of soil C will be higher closer to streams,in pastures historically grazed for short durations compared to those grazed for longer, andin pastures historically grazed early in the season compared to those grazed later.Stream bank stabilityTechniques: We will collect bank stability data across the 3 riparian areas per grazing systemmonthly from May-Septin Yr1. We willcollectdata in 80 plots along 110m of stream, using a 20x50 cm Daubenmire quadrants on greenline. We will include 3 replicated sections/grazing system. Data will include stream bank disturbance measured as bank alterations, herbaceous bank cover, and stubble height.we will collect data throughout the grazing season.Analysis: We will use separate linear mixed models to determine the legacy effects of different grazing systems on stream bank stability. In models examining effects of grazing duration, the fixed effect will be grazing duration, and random effects will be riparian area, transect, and month. In the models examining effects of grazing timing, fixed effect will be grazing timing, and random effects will be riparian area, transect, and month. Expected results: Stream banks will be more stable and less disturbed in riparian areas historically grazed for shorter durations, while timing will not lead to differences in bank stability. We expect streambanks in areas historically grazed for shorter timeframes to recover more quickly upon the implementation of the new grazing system, compared to areas historically grazed for longer durations.Herbaceous biodiversity Techniques: We will collect species diversity data in bench and adjacent riparian upland areas per grazing systemusing point-intercept methods in Yr1. We will collect species composition data every 0.25 m along 50 m transects. In the riparian areas, transects will be located within 1m of the streambank and run parallel to streams, and we will collect data in July,when vegetation is easy to identify. In the adjacent riparian upland areas, transects will be located in areas with a mix of riparian and upland vegetation, and we will collect data in June. Analysis: We will use separate linear mixed models to determine the legacy effects of different grazing systems on herbaceous diversity in riparian and adjacent upland areas. In models examining the effects of grazing duration, the fixed effect will be grazing duration, and random effects will be riparian area, transect, and month. In models examining the effects of grazing timing, fixed effect will be grazing timing, and random effects will be riparian area, transect, and month. Expected results: We expect the intermediate amount of grazing disturbance found in shorter duration grazing systemsto result in the highest species diversity among our treatments. For the comparison between deferred rotation early vs late treatments, we expect to find less species diversity in early-grazed systems because early grazing coincides with rapid plant growth in this area, potentially allowing livestock to reduce potential for some species to survive and seed.Objective 2: Technique: We will collect the same ES data describe above for 3 years after the new grazing system is implemented. The data on the metrics of soil health, stream bank stability, and herbaceous diversity will be collected in Yrs 2-4, soil C will be collected only in Yr4. Analysis: We will use separate linear mixed models as described above but will include time since imposition of the new grazing systems as an additional fixed effect to determine how the shift in grazing systems affects each ES. Expected results: We expect soil health will improve post-implementation, particularly in riparian areas. We expect riparian areas will store a larger amount of C per area compared to adjacent uplands. We expect that soils historically grazed for long durations will show the greatest improvement in soil health and store more C due to lower initial C stocks; We expect stream bank stability will increase after implementation of shorter grazing duration. We expect streams in pastures historically grazed for long durations will show the greatest improvement in stability but take longer to recover than those historically for shorter durations; We expect herbaceous species diversity to increase in both riparian and upland areas, with populations of disturbance-loving plants declining while those not able to withstand constant disturbance increasing. We also expect to see larger changes in herbaceous species diversity in early-grazed deferred systems but not late systems because early grazing coincides with rapid plant growth in this area.Objective 3: Technique & Analysis: To determine potential profits to producers, we will calculate the price of C offsets generated with the implementation of the new grazing system, minus the cost of measuring soil C sequestration. Costs will include labor, sample collection, and sample analysis for baseline data collection in Yr1, and monitoring for accrual in Yr4. An innovative piece of our study is the inclusion of riparian areas in the calculation of rangeland C offsets. Because in semi-arid rangelands, much of the biological activity occurs in the riparian area, we predict that these areas may sequester a disproportionate amount of C. Expected Results: We expect that when riparian areas are excluded from C accrual accounting, the cost of measuring soil C will exceed the revenue that could be generated via the voluntary C markets. However, we expect that if riparian area C accrual is included in rangeland offset calculations, offsets created from altered grazing management can generate small, but significant returns for rangeland managers.

Progress 05/01/23 to 04/30/24

Outputs
Target Audience:A key element of this work is sharing results with managers and ranchers we collaborate with in Utah and across the US West, plus sharing findings with managers and scientists more broadly. WLCalso strongly believes in mentoring young scientists hired for field crew and managerial positions. We reached the following Target Audiences using the listed Efforts: 1. Local, State, and National Ranchers - Extension & Outreach: Invited Three Creeks Grazing Projectpresentationabout multiple ecosystem services at the UT Section Meeting of the Society for Range Management. November 2023. InvitedThree Creeks Grazing Projectpresentationabout soil carbon sequestration in UT rangeland soilsat the UT Section Meeting of the Society for Range Management. November 2023. A booth at the UT Section Meeting of the Society for Range Management todiscuss / consultabout the Three Creeks Grazing Project. November 2023. A Three Creeks Grazing Projectfield tourwith members of the Rich County Coordinated Resource Management (CRM) group. July 2023. Co-hosted with Utah Grazing Improvement Program (UGIP) aYoung Rancher Workshopthat took place over a long weekend on the Tavaputs Ranch in central UT to help young ranchers to manage their operation sustainability for their way of life and the next generation. Attended by 20 ranchers and 10 UT rangeland managers. July 2023. Invited Three Creeks Grazing Project presentation at a meeting discussing future restoration work by the BLM. Attendees included upper management of the Salt Lake City field office, the Three Creeks LLC board, BLM's IRA project manager, UGIP partners. February 2024. 2 InvitedThree Creeks Grazing Projectpresentationsabout soil carbon sequestration in UT rangeland soilsat the Soil Health in the West Conference. Feb 2024. Invited Three Creeks Grazing Projectpresentationabout multiple ecosystem services at the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition Annual Meeting. Feb 2024. Fourmeetings / consultationswith the UT SRM Board (as a member). November 2023, January, March, April 2024. These reports, presentations, and discussions led the local community of producers to invite us to participate in the following: Discussion / Consultationabout job opportunities in the fields of rangeland science and management at the Rich County High School Job Fair. February 2024. 2. State and Federal Rangeland Managers (only unique activities listed below, some overlap with activities listed above) - Extension & Outreach: Multiplemeetings / consultationswith the staff and Director of UGIP. > 12meetings / consultationswith staff from the BLM UT State Office and District Office. Multiplemeetings / consultationswith staff from the UT Geologic Survey to synergize on the research taking place on the Three Creeks Grazing Project. A Three Creeks Grazing Projectfield tourwith staff of the BLM UT Salt Lake City office. June 2023. Invited Three Creeks Grazing Projectpresentationduring afield tourwith staff from the EPA and UT Agencies. 15 participants. July 2023. Invited to workshop re: riparian monitoring tool by BLM; shared need for collaboration with local ranchers. February 2024. Invitedpresentationabout carbon sequestration in western rangeland and carbon markets to UT DNR. Feb 2024. 3. Postdoctoral Students and Other Full-Time Employees - Experiential Learning Opportunity: WLC's Lead Scientist is mentoring two early career female scientists. The firstjoined our team (May 2021) as a post-doctoral researcher, and was moved to a full-time Research Scientist position in May 2022 and promoted to Soil Science Program Directory in May 2024. The second joined our team (April 2023) as a newly graduated MS student. 4. Undergraduate Students and Recent College Graduates, Including People Traditionally Underrepresented in STEM Disciplines as well as Range Management Positions - Experiential Learning Opportunity: Hired & mentored 4 college and early career natural resource students as part of our field crew. This crew consisted of 1male undergraduate student, 1 female student, and 2 recently graduated female students. Hired a field crew for the 2024field season. This crew consists of 3femaleundergraduate students from Utah State University. Provided an opportunity for one of the summer field crew members who recently graduated to join the WLC staff in a full-time position starting Oct 2023. 5. Academic Researchers - Extension & Outreach: Invited presentation at Utah State University's Ag Teacher Range Camp to discuss rangeland health and soils. June 2023. A Three Creeks Grazing Projectpresentationabout multiple ecosystem services at the Annual WSARE PI meeting. December 2023. A co-organizedworkshopwith WLA entitled, "Co-laboring in the West: Stewardship Economies and Rangeland Conservation" at the Society for Range Management Annual Meeting. >60 attendees. January 2024. An invitedpresentationentitled, "The Three Creeks Grazing Consolidation Project: A story of livestock grazing and stewardship in Northern Utah" that featured byCollaborator Taylor Payne(UGIP) andThree Creeks LLC President and rancherat the Society for Range Management Annual Meeting. >60 attendees. January 2024. PI is currently serving on the Advisory Board for NIFA/AFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) grant: Villabla et al. - Using smart foodscapes to transform cowherd nutrition on western rangelands (2021-2024). 6. Nonprofit groups/Foundations - Extension & Outreach: A Three Creeks Grazing Projectfield tourwith a staff member of WLC's host organization, Multiplier. August 2023. Adiscussion / consultationof the Three Creeks Grazing Project at a Rangeland Ecosystem Service and Policyworkshopin southern CO hosted by the Woodwell Foundation. 50 attendees. September 2023. A Three Creeks Grazing Projectreportandfield tourwith the Board Members of WLA. 25 attendees. September 2023. Threemeetings / consultationswith The Nature Conservancy (TNC) about further investment in Three Creeks Grazing Project. January & February 2024. Invited meeting / consultationat a 2-day workshop hosted by The Meridian Group and Walton Foundation regarding most important issues currently facing rangeland managers in the US. January 2024. >50 meetings with Western Landowners Alliance Stewardship Director, Bre Owens about WSARE work & future collaborations. 7. Regional Policy Makers - Extension & Outreach: Meeting / consultationwith TNC about how the Three Creeks Grazing Project could inform a rancher-TNC partnership in Escalante CO. January 2024. Twomeetings / consultationswith Soil Health Advisory Committee scoping group (USDA) about water quality standards used across the Three Creeks Grazing Project. January 2024. 8. Public - Extension & Outreach: Multipleeducational toolsabout innovative cattle grazing, rangeland health, and multiple ecosystem services posted to the WLC website. May 2023 - April 2024. Research scientist participated in a podcast with Decode6 about soil carbon sequestration in rangelands.May 2023. Invited Three Creeks Grazing Project presentation at the Soil Carbon Meeting at Colorado State University. 150 attendees. Sept 2023. A booth at the Society for Range Management Annual Meeting todiscuss / consultabout the Three Creeks Grazing Project. January 2024. Invitedpresentationabout carbon sequestration in western rangeland and carbon markets in Quivera Coalitions Webinar series. Feb 2024. Manymeetings / consultationswith WLA about the production of a documentary featuring the Three Creeks Grazing Project. Feb - April 2024. Interviewedfor a Western Landowner's Alliance podcast about landscape scale conservation, ecosystem services, and carbon sequestration in rangelands. Feb 2024. All of WLC staff spent the day visiting science classes at the Randolph High School talking to students about grazing, soil carbon, and rangeland health. Randolph is the town where we are conducting our research (May 2024). Changes/Problems:In 2023, stream bank stability data were collected one month later than previous years due to a late snow season. This late season also led to a shortened window to collect data and we thus did not sample riparian upland areas for biodiversity because we could not complete all data collection within the shortened season. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project does not have key objectives dedicated to conducting workshops or professional training seminars. However, a key element of our work is sharing results with land managers and ranchers in Utah and across the US West. We also strongly believe in serving as mentors to young scientists hired for field crew, managerial, and post-doctoral positions, particularly those that are members of underrepresented groups in both STEM sciences and range management. As such, we have been involved in a number of opportunities to mentor and share knowledge in this reporting period. Training Each summer, WLC hires a field crew to collect field data (May - September). Our 2023crew consisted of one Project Managerwho is a recent Utah State University (USU) graduate, and four technicians. Two technicians were USU students, one a recent USU graduate, and the other a recent graduate from Colorado State University. Three of these technicians are women. We provide field skills training for crews and serve as mentors throughout the field season. Skills training included foundational field research monitoring techniques such as: soil health assessments, soil sampling, riparian health assessments, point-line intercept, biomass collection, and plant identification. The PI and Research Scientist mentor all students and young employees about how to advance their careers. To do this, we discussed future job opportunities and encouraged them to think about what jobs they want after working with WLC. We shared job opportunities received from colleagues at Federal and State agencies, as well as provided introductions to other natural resource professionals. We consider this kind of mentoring critical for undergraduate students or recent graduates togain skills at applying for jobs and developing a professional network. One technician went on to work for the UT Department of Natural Resources (DNR), one is working for the Nature Conservancy on aranch in Southern Utah, one came to work with us full time starting in October 2023, and the last took a job as a brew master in Salt Lake City, but is going to be joining our group for some field work related to a different project starting in August 2024. This year, the Project Manager for this project moved to a position at the UT DNR. As such, we hired a new Project Manager, who is a recent MS graduate from USU. The PI and Research Scientist will mentor this early-career female employee. The PI continues to mentor one early-career PhD-level female employee who was recently promoted to WLC's Soil Science Program Director, and is leading the soil work on this projet. She was hired as a post-doctoral researcher to expand the work we are undertaking through this project in 2021, and promoted to WLC's full time staff in 2022. She has contributed to ongoing work, and has successfully developed a soil health and C study using our established experimental framework. She spearheaded the development of, and acquired a, USDA WSARE grant for this work, and her expertise was pivotal to WLC gaining a recent Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities grant. Some professional development goals we have outlined include: grant writing skills, presentations at outreach events, and building our research network to include soil experts. Professional development In-field tours: WLC staff participated in a number of field tourswhere we networked with other nonprofits, academic scientists, agency managers, and rancher. These included a tour of the Three Creeks Grazing Project with the BLM, Western Landowners Alliance, EPA, and Rich County Coordinated Resource Management Group. Conferences: WLC staff participated and presented at the Utah Society for Range Management Annual Meeting; WLC staff participated and presented at the National Society for Range Management Annual Meeting;WLC's PI and Outreach Coordinatorpresented at the Soil Health in the West Conference; WLC's PI presented at both a NIFA PI meeting and a WSARE PI meeting; and theWLC Soil Science Program Director presented at the Ecological Society of America Meeting and the NM Society for Range Management meeting. Workshops: WLC's PI attended a number of workshops where she networked with scientists, ranchers, policy makers, and foundations focused on creating sustainable rangeland systems. These included a workshop hosted by Woodwell Foundation, a workshop hosted by the Meridian Group (nonprofit) and Waldon Foundation, and a workshop hosted by Colorado State University (also attended by the Soil Science Program Director). Podcasts: WLC's PI and Soil Science Program Director wereinterviewed about soil organic C sequestration in rangelands of the US west in apodcast hosted by Western Landowners Alliance and Decode6. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Please see the answer in the 'Target Audience' Tab. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period we will do the following to reach our goal of demonstrating that innovative grazing strategies can maintain a diverse suite of ESs on public lands while also supporting producer livelihoods: Obj. 1 In YR3, we will use data collected in YR1 to continue the development of three peer-reviewed publications in the scientific literature. We will also continue to share these data with target groups and project partners. Obj. 2 In YR3, we will continue to collect soil health and C, streambank stability, and herbaceous biodiversity data by: Hiring and training a 3-4 person field crew; Appling for supplemental funding to continue to support this research. Obj. 3 In YR3,we will continue to collect data on the cost/benefit analysis of estimating landscape-scale organic C. These data already include the labor, travel, and supplies associated with collecting and analyzing soil for organic C. By the end of YR4, the data will also include the labor, travel, and supplies associated with collecting and analyzing a new set of soil for organic C, as well as the potential financial return if sequestered C were to be sold in a voluntary C marketplace. We will also continue to share results with local producers and collaborating rangeland managers, plus managers, researchers, and policy makers beyond Utah. Other activities include the following: Write and submit multiple papers to peer-reviewed scientific journals based on collected data. Share project results with ranchers through local Coordinated Resource Management meeting presentations andpresentations to the rancher-run grazing LLC that manages grazing on public lands in the project area. Share project results through personal meetings and invited seminars with BLM, US Forest Service, Utah Grazing Improvement Program, Utah Department of Environmental Quality, and National Resources Conservation Service managers and policy makers. Present results at the Society for Range Management and Ecological Society of America Annual Meetings. Produce and post information on our WLC website. Post project updates on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Participate in field-days showcasing ecosystem services before & after altering grazing on public lands.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Obj. 1 Activities Completed field work for the 2022 field season. Data We collected the following data alongside streams and across multiple historical gazing durations and timings: Soil health and C: Bulk density (1x/season), infiltration (1x/season), moisture (1x/mo/season), bioavailable N (1x/mo/season), microbial biomass (1x/mo/season), respiration (2x/season), and organic C (1x/season) across three streamside vegetative zones (riparian bench, riparian upland, and adjacent upland); Streambank stability: BLM MIM (2x/season); Herbaceous biodiversity: Species richness, invasive plant cover, and sage-grouse preferred forb cover across two streamside vegetative zones (riparian bench and riparian upland; 1x/season). Results Soil health and C: All soil health metrics were affected by grazing duration and/or timing within the vegetative zones: Bulk density was smallest, infiltration fastest, moisture highest, and bioavailable N, microbial biomass, respiration, and organic C greatest within the riparian bench and riparian upland of the exclosures and pastures historically grazed for short durations (all P<0.01); High moisture within the riparian bench and riparian upland of the exclosures and pastures historically grazed for short durations was sustained throughout the grazing season (P<0.01); Only moisture was highest, infiltration fastest, and bioavailable N, microbial biomass, and respiration greatest within the adjacent upland of the pastures historically grazed for short durations (all P<0.05); The soil health and C data indicate that historically short grazing durations led to the healthiest soils with conditions that favor a relatively more active microbial community and the accumulation of relatively more organic C. This suggests that the rangeland soil has the capacity see restored health following the implementation of the new grazing system. Streambank stability: Streambank stability was affected by grazing duration and timing: Streambank stability was greatest in the exclosures (P<0.01) and pastures historically grazed later in the season (P<0.05). The streambank stability data indicate that removing the disturbance of grazing all together, or only early in the season when the vegetation is actively growing may be important for stabilizing riparian areas. It is uncertain, though, if general reductions in grazing duration - as will be experienced with the implementation of the new grazing system - will improve streambank stability since it appears that any length of disturbance leads to similar levels of degradation. By contrast, we expect altering grazing timing - as will also be experienced with the implementation of the new grazing system - will improve streambank stability since pastures will not always be grazed early in the season. Herbaceous biodiversity: Metrics of herbaceous biodiversity were affected by either grazing duration or timing but only within the riparian bench: Species richness was highest in the pastures historically grazed for medium durations (P=0.01); Invasive plant cover was highest in the exclosures (P= 0.01) Sage-grouse preferred forb cover was highest in the pastures historically grazed early in the season (P<0.01). The herbaceous biodiversity data indicate that some level of grazing disturbance may be beneficial for controlling the cover of invasive plant species and promoting high species richness. We, therefore, expect that reductions in grazing duration with the implementation of the new grazing system will increase species richness and reduce invasive plant cover, specifically within the pastures historically grazed for long durations. We also expect that altering grazing timing with implementation of the new system will increase sage-grouse preferred forb cover, specifically within the pastures historically grazed later in the season. Key Outcomes The results from Obj. 1 indicate that grazing duration and timing can affect levels of ESs generated in rangelands. For example, short grazing durations led to healthier soils, more organic carbon, and more stable streambanks. However, short grazing durations did not benefit all ESs. By contrast, medium grazing durations led to greater herbaceous biodiversity in species richness and sage-grouse preferred forb cover. Obj. 2 Activities Completed field work for the 2023 and 2024 grazing season following the implementation of the new grazing system. Data We collected the same data from Obj. 1 for Obj. 2. Results Soil health and C: Two years following the implementation of the new grazing system, we found that: Some physical (e.g., infiltration and moisture [both P<0.01]) and microbial (e.g., bioavailable N [P<0.01]) soil health metrics exhibited the same patterns within the three vegetative zones and across the historical grazing systems as was found after completing Obj. 1. Considering that the soil health metrics measured following the second year of the new grazing system exhibited the same patterns across the historical grazing systems that were found before implementation, there appears to be no overall improvement in soil health. It may take more time, however, for improvements in soil health to manifest with the new grazing system. Streambank stability: Two years following the implementation of the new grazing system, we found that: Streambank stability increased in the pastures historically grazed late in the season (P<0.05), and was similar to the stability of streambanks in the pastures historically grazed early in the season; Streambank stability increased in the pastures historically grazed for long durations (P<0.05), and was similar to the stability of streambanks in the exclosures. We were surprised to find that the stability of streambanks in the pastures historically grazed for long durations was recovering relatively quickly. This may be because that the grazing rotations used in 2023 and 2024 resulted in many of these particular pastures being completely rested, or grazed briefly as cattle trailed through to another pasture. Herbaceous biodiversity: Two years following the implementation of the new grazing system, we found that: Species richness, invasive plant cover, and sage-grouse preferred forb cover did not change as a result of altered grazing duration (P>0.05) or timing (P>0.05); Sage-grouse preferred forb cover did appear to increase within the pastures historically grazed late in season after the first year of the implementing the new grazing system (P=0.03), but this trend was no longer apparent after the second year (P=0.78). It is possible that changes to some herbaceous biodiversity metrics may require more time to manifest following the implementation of the new grazing system. It may also be possible that some metrics (e.g., sage-grouse preferred forb cover) may respond more strongly to changes in grazing timing than duration and will, thus, change annually with each new grazing rotation. Key Outcomes The results from Obj. 2 indicate that altering grazing duration and timing can lead to changes in ESs but across a variety of timeframes. This highlights a need for continued ES monitoring to better understand the response times to grazing changes. Quantifying these rates of change will be vital in linking grazing changes to wanted outcomes. Obj. 3 Activities While completing Obj. 1, we collected financial data to understand the costs of sampling and analyzing soil organic C. Data We collected the following data: Total expenses: $12,739.16; Labor: Two people and 415 hours spent on sample collection, processing, and analysis ($8,853.80); Travel: Three field campaigns to collect baseline C samples, including lodging, mileage, and per diem ($913.59); Supplies: To collect, process, and analyze samples for C ($2,971.86). We will continue to collect data as we complete a resampling of C in YR4. We will also calculate the potential profit generated if accumulated C were to be sold in a C marketplace.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Hulvey, Kristin B. 2023. Managing timing & duration to support multiple ecosystem services in UT rangelands: Examples from the Three Creeks Grazing Project. Utah Society for Range Management Annual Meeting. Richfield, UT.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Hulvey, Kristin B. 2024. Carbon on the Range: The Effects of Livestock Grazing on Soil Organic Carbon and How to Measure it Accurately. Soil Health in the West. St. George, UT.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Hulvey, Kristin B., Taylor Payne, Megan Nasto 2024. Using innovative livestock grazing systems to manage multiple riparian-based ecosystem services on public rangelands. NIFA PI Meeting. Kansas City, KS
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Hulvey, Kristin B., Megan Nasto 2023. Building collaborative partnerships to manage ecosystem services in Western Rangelands. WSARE Building Partnerships for Agricultural Sustainability Summit. Pheonix, AZ
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Nasto MK, K Hulvey, K Siesel, T Payne. 2023. The effects of livestock grazing on soil health & organic carbon in semi-arid rangelands: A case study from northern Utah. UT Section Meeting of the Society for Range Management, Richfield, UT.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Nasto MK, K Hulvey, B Owens, J Juen. 2024. Eastern New Mexico Adaptive Management Partnership: Measuring soil organic carbon to promote collaborative land stewardship. NM Section Meeting of the Society for Range Management, Alamogordo, NM.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Nasto MK, K Hulvey, J Danninger, T Payne. 2023. The effects of livestock grazing duration and timing on soil health and organic carbon sequestration in a semi-arid rangeland of the western U.S. Ecological Society of America, Portland, OR.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Nasto MK, B Riley. 2024. Data-informed adaptive management of wildlife and cow habitat in eastern NM. Society for Range Management, Sparks NV.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Nasto MK, K Hulvey, B Owens, J Juen. 2024. Measuring soil organic carbon as a means for promoting land stewardship by cattle ranchers and state and Federal agencies in the southern great plains grasslands of eastern New Mexico. Society for Range Management, Sparks, NV.


Progress 05/01/22 to 04/30/23

Outputs
Target Audience:A key element of this work is sharing results with managers and ranchers we collaborate with in Utah and across theUS West, plus sharing findings with managers and scientists more broadly. The leadership team at WLC, also strongly believes in mentoringyoung scientists hired for field crew and manager positions. We reached the following Target Audiences using the listed Efforts: 1. Local, state, and national ranchers: Extension & outreach: Presented at the Rich County Coordinated Resource management meetingto ~30 local & regional stakeholders. This is where local work on resource management is shared among partners. Attendees includeranchers, state & federal managers, non-profits, & universities (June 2022, April 2023). Research presentation to the La Sals Sustainability Coalition in Moab, UT. Lead Scientist (Dr. Kris Hulvey)joined the group'squarterly meeting to discuss possible collaboration that stems from the Three Creeks work(~25 attendees; July 2022). Annual report summing research results for BLM managers and Three Creeks LLC board(Aug 2022, April 2023). Lead Scientist (Dr. Kris Hulvey) presented at the Idaho Rangeland Center's Fall Forum(Pocatello, ID):Monitoring Conservation Outcomes: The Three Creeks Grazing Project (Oct 2022). Lead Scientist & Research Scientist presentedat the'A Community on Ecosystem Services' Conference (DC) (Dec 2022) Managing for multiple ecosysteem services in sei-arid rangelands The effects of livestock grazing on soil health and carbon in semi-arid rangelands Lead Scientist& Research Scientist presented at Society for Range Management Annual Meeting (Boise, ID) (Feb 2023). How do we manage for stacked ecosystem services in semi-arid rangelands? The effects of livestock grazing on soil organic carbon in semi-arid rangelands: A case study from northern Utah Lead Scientist & Research Scientistpresented at the West Box Elder Coordinated Resource Managementmeeting on soil health, soil carbon, and soil carbon sequestration (March 2023). 2. State and Federal rangeland managers (only unique activities listed below, some overlap with activities listed above) -Extension & outreach: Organized & participated in MIM training with BLM Riparian Specialist and Utah State University students (and field crew members), and WLC researchers (May 2022). Lead Scientist presented in a 2-day field tour organized by the BLM for Utah State University researchers. Discussed the Three Creeks Grazing Project and NIFA research to about 8 participants (Aug 2022). Lead Scientist & Research Scientist participated, presented & distributed a fact sheet focused on this NIFA research during a Sage-grouse Workshop Field Tour organized by the Utah Department of Wildlife. Discussed the Three Creeks Grazing Project and NIFA research with about 140 participants (Aug 2022). >20 meetings with Utah Grazing Improvement Program (Utah Dept of Ag and Food) Manager & NIFA collaborator Taylor Payne to discuss project logistics, potential future developments, applying for further project support, initial research results 1 meeting with BLM specialist about soil carbon sequestration in Utah rangelands. Throughout this reporting period, WLC scientistscontinued to develop a collaboration with NRCS scientists to partner on additional studies at our Three Creeks field site. This partnership will assess rangeland soil health and carbon sequestration across the Three Creeks area and will complement the work sponsored by this current NIFA project. WLC Research Scientist traveled to Missoula, MT (Jan/Feb 2023) to work with NRCS scientsits on their MIR instrument. This analysis technique complements our current technique for analyzing soils, which is cumbustion. 3. Postdoctoral students and other full time employees - Experiential learning opportunity: WLC Lead Scientistis mentoring one early career female scientist to join our team (May 2021) as a post-doctoral researcher. Moved this position to a full-time Research Scientistposition May 2022. 4. Undergraduate students and recent college graduates, including people traditionally underrepresented in STEM disciplines as well as range management positions -Experiential learning opportunity: Lead Scientist & Research Scientist mentoredfield crews for the 2022 field season. This crew consisted of2 male undergraduate students, 1 female student, and 2recently graduated male students. They hired, a field crew for the 2023 field season. This crew consists of 1 female and 1 male undergraduatestudent from Utah State University, and 1 recently graduated female student from Colorado State University. Lead Scientist & Research Scientist worked with Project Manager to analyze and interpret collect plant composition data throughout winter/spring of 2022 & 23. Provided opportunity for the WLC Project Manager to attend the National Society for Range Management meeting in Feb 2023. 5. Academic researchers - Extension & outreach: Throughout the Summer and Fall of this reporting period, WLC's Research Scientistcontinued to collaboratewith Utah State University Soil Scientist Paul Grossl, working in his laboratory as needed and sharing information onsoil analyses. Throughout this reporting period, WLC's Research Scientist continued collaboration with University of Nevada, Reno Soil Scientist, Benjamin Sullivan. This collaboration opens the potential to compare data collected from two distinct areas of the Great Basin onsoil carbon. PIis currently serving on the Advisory Board for NIFA/AFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) grant: Villabla et al. - Using smart foodscapes to transform cowherd nutrition on western rangelands (2021-2023) 6. Nonprofit groups/Foundations - Extension & outreach: Throughout the summer 2022 the PIcontinued to work with the Western Landowners Alliance on a soils-focused project sponsored by NFWF in Roswell NM.We also learned that four additionalgrants we submitted together last year were funded: 1 NFWF, and 3 Partners for Climate Smart Commodities. Through these additional grants we will continueto expand research that focuses on how grazing management affects multiple rangeland ecosystem services including soil carbon sequestration, and soil health. Lead Scientistpresented about Three Creeks research during the TNC's monthly Sage-grouse and Sagebursh Ecosystem call(Sept 2022). >50 meetings with Western Landowners Alliance Stewardship Director, Bre Owens about WSARE work & future collaborations. PI invited to & attended Stanford Univerisity's Ninth Annual Eccles Family Rurual West Conference. Two of the four focal areas included regenerative agriculture and soil carbon sequestration potential. 7. Regional Policy Makers - Extension & outreach: Invited member of a working group focused on stream restoration in the US Southwest and restoration of stream resilience, ecosystem service provision, and carbon sequestration (2 in person meetings & ~ 10 virtual meetings). This bult upon work begun via this NIFA grant. Invited talk by Lead Scientist and partner agency specialist about the Three Creeks Project including the economics, community dynamics, ecosystem service benefits, and carbon sequestration benefits (April 2023). 8. Public - Extension & outreach: Lead scientist participated in a short video about carbon sequestration in rangelands produced by the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commision: Carbon Sequestration in Rangelands: An introduction (Oct 2022). Research scientist participated in a podcastwith Decode 6 about soil carbon sequestration in rangelands (May 2023). All of WLC staff spent the day visiting science classes at the Randolph High School talking to students about grazing, soil carbon, and rangeland health. Randolph is the town where we are conducting our research (May 2023). Changes/Problems:Objective 1: Collection of data for stream bank stability using MIM protocol: In pilot data, we noticed that conducing MIM sampling monthlycausedpaths to form on the streamsides, which we believe can affect monthly assessments of plant composition and cover and hinder recovery of streambanks with the switch in grazing across our sites.We discussed this problem with the BLM partners who manage the streams where our project is taking place. It was mutually decided that we should limit our monitoring to 2x per season, including 1x early season and 1x late season (early June and mid sept). The mid sept date corresponds to historical monitoring conducted for MIM at our sites. The early June date will allow our team to capture early season species cover and composition after most plants have grown significantly so they can be identified, and after woodies have leafed out so we can discern any browsing on woodies across the season. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project does not have key objectives dedicated to conducting workshops or professional training seminars. However, a key element of ourwork is sharing results with land managers and ranchers in Utah and across the USWest.Wealso strongly believe in serving asmentors to young scientists hired for field crew, managerial, and post-doctoral positions, particularly those that are members of underrepresented groups in both STEM sciences and range management. As such, wehave been involved in a number of opportunities to mentor and share knowledge in this reporting period. Training: Each summer, WLChires a field crew to collect field data (May-Sept). Our2022 crew consisted of one Project Manager who isa recent Utah State University (USU) graduate, and sixtechnicians. Four technicianswere USU students, one was a recent USU graduate, and the other was a recent graduate from Cal Poly Humboldt. One of these technicianswas awoman. Weprovidefield skills training for crews and serveas mentors throughout the field season. Skills training included use of foundational field research monitoring techniques including: soil health assessments,soil sampling, riparian health assessments, pointline intercept, biomass collection, andplant identification. The PI and Research Scientist mentorall students and young employeesabout how to advance their careers. To do this, wediscuss future job opportunities and encourage them to think about what jobs they want after working with WLC. Weshare job opportunities received from colleagues at Federal and State agencies, as well as provide introductions to other natural resource professionals. Weconsider this kind of mentoring critical for undergraduate students or recent graduatesto gain skills at applying for jobs and developing a professional network. One technician now works as a botonist for a for-profit company, one is a wildlife guide for Yellowstone National Park, one works in USU Extension, one works in Alaksa, and one works in a wildlife laboratory at USU. The PIand Research Scientist continueto mentor one early-career female employee who is a recent graduate of USU to be the Project Manager for the USDA NIFA AFRI funded research (Since May 2020). We have worked together to analyze species composition data. This researcher has also assembled and printed a stunning plant identificationbook for our field site, whichwe distributed to the ranchers we work with and all of our Federal and Stateagency partners. Finally, she just completed another extremelysuccessful summer field season leading our field crew. She has continued presenting at outreach events and creating content for our various social media platforms. The PI continues to mentor one early-career PhD-level female employee (Dr. Megan Nasto), who is now WLCs Research Scientist leading the soil work on this NIFA grant. She was hired as a post-doctoral researcher to expand the work we are undertaking through this USDA NIFA AFRI grant in 2021, and promotedto WLC's full time staff in 2022. Megan has contributed to ongoing work, and has successfuly developed a soil health and carbon study using our established experimental framework.She spearheaded the development of, and aquired a, USDA WSARE grant for this work, and her expertise was pivotal to WLC gaining a recent Partners for Climate Smart Commodities Grant. Some professional development goals we have outlined include: grant writing skills, presentations at outreach events, and building our research network to include soil experts. Professional development: In-field riparian Ecological Site Description (ESD) training with NRCS specialist: For ongoing WLC work, we are increasingly working to classify riparian areas for management and restoration. To further our knowledge, I organized an NRCS specialist to teach WLC researchers, regional NRCS employees, and local BLM riparian specialists about developing and classifying riparian ESDs. In-field training with BLM agency partners: This field season we worked with BLM riparian scientists to conduct one in-field MIM training session. During this session, we learned how to classify pools and riffles in rangelandstreams according to the Multi-Indicator Monitoring (MIM) protocol used by the BLM to monitor riparian health. Invited members of a working group focused on stream restoration in the US South West and restoration of stream resilience, ecosystem service provision, and Csequestration (3 in person meetings and10 virtual meetings). Conferences: Our whole full-time staff participated and presented at theSociety for Range Management Annual Meeting. This was ourProject Manager's first conference presentation. The PI and Research Scientist also presented at the A Community on Ecosystem Services Annual Meeting. Webinars: PI presented at a webinarorganized by Western Landowners Alliance, entitled,'Putting People and Data to Work: Collaborative Monitoring Successes'. Podcasts:WLCs Research Scientist was interviewed about soil organic C sequestration in rangelands of the US westin a podcast hosted by Decode6; PI participated in a podcast about soil carbon in rangelands byby the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commision How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Please see the answer in the 'Target Audience' Tab. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period we will do the following to reach our goal of demonstrating that innovative grazing strategies can maintain a diverse suite of ecosystem services on public lands while also supporting producer livelihoods. Objective 1:Examine how historical grazing systems employing different grazing durations and timings affect four target ESs across a semi-arid rangeland, including: soil health, soil C sequestration, stream bank stability, and herbaceous biodiversity. We completed collected data for this objective in YR1. In YR2, we willuse these data to begin the development of three peer-reviewed publications in the scientific literature.We will also continue to share these data with target groups and project partners. Objective 2:Examine how the implementation of an innovative watershed-scale time-controlled rotational grazing system will alter generation of these four ESs. We synergized on a collaborative grazing project occurring on Utah public lands that is allowing ranchers to implement innovative grazing due to a successful National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. We will use a before / after experimental design to measure improvements in ecosystem service provision now that grazing has switched from commongrazing systems to an innovative, watershed scale time-controlled rotation. In YR2, we will do the following to address this objective. Hire and train a 3-4 person field crew to collect 2023 field data, including data on soil health and organic C sequestration, riparian stability, and herbaceousdiversity. Begin to analyze these collected data. Apply for supplemental funding to continue to support this research Objective 3: Determine whether altering grazing management in semi-arid rangelands can generate profit for managers and ranchers. In YR2, wewill begin toDetermine whether altering grazing management in semi-arid rangelands can generate profit for managers and ranchers. We will do so by starting tocalculatethe price of C offsets generated with the implementation of the new grazing system, minus the cost of measuring soil C sequestration. In Yr 2 we continue to add information to our cost spreadsheet about the cost of sampling and analyzing soil carbon, including any additional sampling costs we incurred in Yr2. Our cost spreadsheet includes information about the costs of labor, sample collection (supplies, travel), and sample analysis (supplies, travel). The total C offset price will be determined in the last year of the grant. Extension and Communication:In YR2, we will continue to share results with local producers and collaborating rangeland managers, plus managers, researchers, and policy makers beyond Utah. Other activities include the following: Write and submit multiple papers to peer-reviewed scientific journals based on collected data. Share project results with ranchers through local Coordinated Resource Management meeting presentations and presentations to the rancher-run grazing LLC that manages grazing on public lands in the project area. Share project results through personal meetings and invited seminars with BLM, US Forest Service, Utah Grazing Improvement Program, Utah Department of Environmental Quality, and National Resources Conservation Service managers and policy makers. Present results at the Society for Range Management and Ecological Society of America Annual Meetings. Produce and postinformation on our WLC website. Post project updates on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Participate in field-days showcasing ecosystem services before & after altering grazing on public lands.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? After one year of study, we found that some target ESs can be improved by managing grazing duration and sometimes grazing timing. For example, shorter duration of grazing leads to healthier soils, increased soil carbon storage, and more stable streambanks. However, shorter grazing durations did not benefit all ESs. For example, medium duration grazing rather than no grazing or short-duration grazing led to higher overall herbaceous species diversity and greater cover of sage-grouse preferred forbs. Obj1: Comparison of ESS across historical grazing systems Activities:Completed field work; Applied for and acquired funding from: Western SARE (2022, 2023), BLM (2022), Partners for Climate Smart Commodities (2022), NFWF (2023). Data: Soil health & soil carbon: Collected data on seven soil health metrics (water-holding capacity,bioavailable nitrogen, microbial biomass(1x/mo; May - Sept);soil respiration(2x/season); infiltration,bulk density, organicC(1x/season)), across three locations (riparian bench, riparian upland, adjacent upland), on multiple streams with different historical grazing durations & timings. Stream bank stability: Usedthe BLM MIM (Multiple Indicator Monitoring) protocol tocollect bank stability datamonthly in May and Sept. Herbaceous biodiversity:Collected diversity datain bench(in July) and adjacent riparian upland areas (in June) using point-intercept methods. Statistics: Soil health: Grazing duration affected all indicators of soil health, though the effects varied across the riparian zones.Grazing timing affected onlybulk density and only in in the Riparian Bench. Riparian Benches had the most biologically activesoils e.g.water-holding capacity (P<0.001), bioavailable nitrogen (P<0.001), microbial biomass (P<0.01), soil respirationwerehighest (P<0.01), and bulk densitylowest (P=0.02), in these areas.Infiltration didn't vary by zone (P=0.32). The 'healthiest' soils across all study locationsare found in historically ungrazed pastures and those grazed for short-durations (0.5 mo) e.g. highestwater-holding capacity (P<0.01), bioavailable nitrogen (P<0.001),microbial biomass (P<0.01), and soil respiration(P<0.01),fastestinfiltration(P=0.01), and lowest bulk density (P<0.001). Notably, bulk densitywas also statistically similar to areasgrazed for medium-durations (2 mo/season)late in the season. The relationships within the Riparian Bench are the same as those listed above. Within Riparian Uplands, water-holding capacity(P=0.04), bioavailable nitrogen(P<0.001), microbial biomass(P<0.01), and soilrespiration(P<0.01) were highest in pastures historically excluded from grazing and grazed for short-durations,infiltration(P<0.001) was fastest in ungrazed pastures, and bulk density(P<0.01) was lowest in pastures historically grazed for short-durations. Within Adjacent Uplands, water-holding capacity (P=0.03),bioavailable nitrogen (P<0.001), microbial biomass (P<0.01), and soil respiration (P<0.01)were highest, and infiltration (P<0.001) fastest, in pastures historically grazed for short-durations. Bulk density didn't vary these areas(P=0.62). Organic C (OC): Grazing duration but not timing affected soil carbon in riparian bench (P=0.04) and riparian upland areas P<0.01). Here, short grazing durations increased soil OC but only at the surface (0-15 cm; P<0.001). OC was highest in the pastures that had no grazing, and those grazed for short duration. OC did not differ by grazing duration or timing on adjacent uplands (P=0.17). Stream bank stability: Both grazing duration and timing affected stream stability (P=0.003, 0.046, respectively). Streams thatwere not grazed were more stable than those grazed for either 2- (P=0.005) or 4-months (P=0.053). Any grazing led to a loss of stability, regardless of length of grazing (2mo=4mo stability, P=0.558). Stream areas grazed later in the season were more stable than those grazed earlier (P=0.046), indicating that reducing disturbance early in the season when plants in this system are actively growing is important for streambank stabilization. Herbaceous biodiversity:Results are for riparian bench areas; we have not yet analyzed riparian upland data. Grazing duration affected richness (P=0.015) and invasive plant cover (P=0.011) but not sage-grouse preferred forb (SGPF) cover (P=0.223). Grazing timing only affected SGPF cover (P<0.001). Richness (used 2020 & 2021 data): Medium duration grazing (2 mo) led to more species (~30sp) than long duration grazing (4 mo; ~21sp; P=0.023). While there was a trend that medium duration grazing also led to more species than short duration grazing (0.5 mo; ~24sp) and no grazing (exclosures; ~27sp) these relationships were not significant. This suggests that some cattle disturbance in pastures leads to more species compared to no-, short-, or season-long disturbance. Sage-grouse preferred forb (SGPF) cover (used 2021 data): Areas grazed earlier (May-Jun) in the season had about twice as much SGPF cover than those grazed later in the season (Jul-Sept). One reason for this may be reduced competition with other plants when cattle graze early, thus encouraging forb growth. Invasive plant (IP) cover (used 2021 data): In this first year, the highest cover of IP was found in areas with no grazing, followed by areas grazed using medium durations, then both short and long durations. This suggests that some cattle disturbance in pastures may help control IP, when compared to no grazing, or less grazing. We didn't have large populations of invasive plants at sampling sites, so additional years of data will strengthen results. Obj2: ESS metric comparison before vs after implementation of new grazing practices Activities:Began field work in 2022. Data:Same as Obj 1. Statistics: Soil health, Soil Cabon, Stream bank stability: Nothing to report. Though, data collected for Obj 1 implies that implementing the time-controlled rotational grazing systemwill lead to improved soil health, increased OC stocks, and improved stream bank stability. Herbaceous biodiversity Results are for riparian bench areas. We expect implementation of the new grazing system might lead to changes in diversity across some pastures (ie those on Three Creeks grazed historically with medium or long durations), while having no effect on other pastures (ie our control pastures on a private ranch - historically grazed with a 'short' duration; and those on Three Creeks in exclosures). Evidence of this would be a significant 'interaction' term (grazing duration * grazing system change or grazing timing * grazing system change) for diversity metrics. We found no evidence of such interactions for richness or invasive species cover. The interaction is significant when examining timing for SGPF cover (P=0.024), but not for duration. After implementation of new grazing practices, pastures moved from having more SGPF cover in early-grazed pastures to having equal cover in historically early- and late-grazed pastures. It doesn't appear that cover declined in historically early-grazed pastures after the grazing shift, rather, it seems to have increased in those that previously were late-grazed. Since these forbs support the insects that sage-grouse chicks eat later in the season, this could be a good development. Obj 3: Activities:Began collecting financial data in 2022 to understand the expenses incurred to sample soil carbon. Data:Total expenses = $12,739.16 Labor: A Research Scientistand Field Technician spent 415 hours on sample collection, processing, and analysis, with pay rates ($22.60, $14.00/hr) and fringe benefits (45%,10%) = $8.853.80. Travel: Three tripsto collect baseline soil organic carbon samples, including: lodging ($72/trip), vehicle mileage ($172.50/trip), per diem ($60.00/trip) = $913.59 Supplies: To collect, process, and analyze soil samples for organic carbon = $2,971.86.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Hulvey, Kristin B. 2022. Monitoring Conservation Outcomes: The Three Creeks Grazing Project. The Idaho Rangeland Center's Fall Forum, Pocatello, ID.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Hulvey, Kristin B. 2022. Managing for multiple ecosystem services in sei-arid rangelands. 'A Community on Ecosystem Services' (ACES) Conference. Washington DC.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2022 Citation: Nasto, Megan. 2022. The effects of livestock grazing on soil health and carbon in semi-arid rangelands. 'A Community on Ecosystem Services' (ACES) Conference. Washington DC.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2023 Citation: Hulvey, Kristin B. 2023. How do we manage for stacked ecosystem services in semi-arid rangelands? Society for Range Management Annual Meeting. Boise, ID.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2023 Citation: Nasto, Megan. 2023. The effects of livestock grazing on soil organic carbon in semi-arid rangelands: A case study from northern Utah. Society for Range Management Annual Meeting. Boise, ID.