| The integration of cattle grazing and timber production on forested lands has become a significant resource management issue on Alberta public lands where there is demand to satisfy both uses. This innovative project examined interactions between cattle grazing and forestry operations within rangelands containing recently harvested deciduous and coniferous cut blocks of west-central and south-western Alberta during 2008 and 2009. Two and 3 years following logging, cattle avoided regenerating deciduous and coniferous cut blocks. Cattle forage use was positively associated with greater forage biomass, crude protein concentration, and distance to roads, but was negatively associated with increasing distance to water, and greater elevation, slope gradient, slash accumulation and tree regeneration densities. Cattle-related damage to trees was minimal, yet reflective of stocking rate. Results confirm that cut block reforestation can occur despite cattle presence given sustainable grazing management. |
