Laserfiche WebLink
• If the range is overgrazed, the proportion of preferred forage plants <br />decreases and the proportion of less preferred forage plants increases. <br />Therefore, livestock grazing should be managed so that the desired balance of <br />preferred species is maintained in the plant community. <br />Other management practices suitable for use on this unit are proper range <br />use, deferred grazing, rotation grazing, and brush management. Brush manage- <br />ment improves deteriorated areas of range that are producing more woody shrubs <br />than were present in the potential plant community. <br />If the range vegetation is seriously deteriorated, seeding is needed. <br />The main limitation for seeding is steepness of slope. The plants selected <br />for seeding should meet the seasonal requirements of livestock or wildlife, or <br />both. Seeding late in fall helps to ensure that soil moisture will be <br />adequate for the establishment of seedlings the next spring. <br />If this unit is used for irrigated hay, there are few limitations except <br />• in areas where the slope exceeds 12 percent. Runoff is excessive and even <br />distribution of water is difficult in these areas. Corrugation irrigation is <br />suited to this unit. To avoid overirrigating and leaching of plant nutrients, <br />applications of irrigation water should be adjusted to the available water <br />capacity and the permeability of the soil and the crop needs. Fertilizer is <br />needed to insure optimum growth of grasses and legumes. <br />If this unit is used for nonirrigated crops, the main limitation is the <br />hazard of water erosion on steeper slopes. Crop residue left on or near the <br />surface helps to conserve moisture, maintain tilth, and control erosion. All <br />tillage should be on the contour or across the slope. <br />If this unit is used for homesite development, the main limitations are <br />shrink-swell potential and very slow permeability. If buildings are <br />constructed on the soil in this unit, properly designing foundations and <br />footings and diverting runoff away from buildings help to prevent structural <br />damage because of shrinking and swelling. Septic tank absorption fields of <br />• <br />Ex. 16-7 <br />