The effect of timber harvest on the range resource

Abstract

My work is primarily concentrated at the Manatwa Forest, in the ponderosa pine zone about 28 miles northwest of Rock Springs. The area is primarily cattle grazing land, with most of the grazing occurring in the natural openings of the pine zone. Additional livestock grazing occurs in the small openings among the trees, and very little underneath the dense canopy. In terms of herbage, protected grasslands in this area get up to nearly 2,000 pounds per acre, while if they are grazed at all we get somewhere between 12-1300 pounds. In the open timber type herbage levels drop down to about 500 pounds per acre: in the dense timber type it's less than 100 pounds per acre. By thinning out densely stocked stands it is possible to develop stands with sufficient herbage for livestock grazing in a matter of a few years after the harvest has been completed.

Citation

Currie, Pat O. 1974. The effect of timber harvest on the range resource. In: Forest industry's role in land use. Proceedings of the Rocky Mountain Forest Industries Conference; March, 1974; Cheyenne, WY. p. 82-83.