WATERTON, Alta. – A pasture may look green and lush from the road but a walk across the land presents a different picture.
For the pasture manager, a close examination may reveal a landscape of bare patches, noxious weeds and weak grass growth.
A pasture school in southwestern Alberta adjacent to Waterton Lakes National Park showed participants what to look for in a healthy meadow and how to rebuild an overgrazed paddock.
Amanda Bogan with the Cows and Fish program told the group they need to start with a baseline assessment of what is there and what is lacking. Photographs of the same site every few years could help to measure improvements or deterioration.
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Producers need to ask, “are my grasslands healthier and are they productive?” she said.
There are five basic questions to answer when diagnosing grasslands.
The first is to identify the plants on site and determine the percentage of desirable species such as rough fescue or June grass. This measure does not have to be exact, but over time changes will be noticed. It may also take a few years to become adept at assessments and learn to identify plants at different stages of their life, said Bogan.
The second step is determining the layers of plant life. They include low shrubs, tall grasses, medium height plants and ground cover such as lichens and moss. Some layers could be missing.
“In a grassland, you would expect to have all kinds of layers,” she said.
In addition, a healthy community of plants is reflected underground because the root systems will be stratified as well.
The third question is whether the site retains moisture and if there is enough dried plant litter. Litter acts as a physical barrier to heat and water flow at the soil surface. It puts organic material back in the soil and prevents evaporation and erosion. It may also serve as extra feed during drought.
To assess litter, take a frame one quarter of a metre square or two boot lengths on each side to calculate cover. Rake the enclosed area up by hand and if there are about two handfuls present, that is adequate. There may be less litter around watering sites or salt licks.
The next question deals with erosion and the cause of bare ground. Are there many rodent burrows or is the land overgrazed?
Human damage may be caused by overgrazing, all terrain vehicle trails or industrial activity.
An indicator of erosion is when plants appear to be raised on a pedestal. Take note if the area has thin soils where it is harder to establish plants. Are there naturally occurring sand dunes leading to general instability of the soil?
Finally, consider the number of noxious weeds and the level of infestation. Invasive plants can come from roadsides or disturbances from activities like oil and gas exploration or pipeline installation.
Noxious weeds compete against more desirable plants and downgrade pastures. It is advisable to check provincial weed lists because these change over time, said Jennifer Carlson of the provincial lands branch.
