GRAziNq MANAqEMENT \N RIpARJAN ArEAS 



A riparian area is the green zone immediately adjacent to streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds. Water and land interact here, and the plant community is 

 shaped by the presence of water. Riparian areas often feature sedges and rushes, willows, alders, cottonwoods, and other deciduous shrubs and trees. 



Although riparian areas are special, don't think of them as separate lands to 

 be managed by themselves. They should be integrated into the overall grazing 

 management plan — as part of larger grazing units — with consideration given 

 to specific riparian resource concerns and management objectives. To develop 

 management plans tor riparian areas consider the following guidance. 



• Tailor the grazing approach to the specific riparian area under consider- 

 ation. While streams and riparian areas can be categorized or classified 

 into types, each remains unique; and what constitutes "appropriate man- 

 agement" will be specific to your site and your objectives. 



• Incorporate management of riparian areas into the overall management 

 plan for the whole operation. Riparian areas comprise only a small 

 portion of any ranch or grazing allotment, and proposed actions on them 

 must be managerially feasible as well as ecologically sound. Consider the 

 impact on the overall operation of actions intended to improve or main- 

 tain riparian areas. Remember: what is done in the riparian areas may 



affect uplands and vice versa. '^ riparian area is ihi- green 7imc nwmduady cuijiic 



ponds. 



Although rifiariun areas arc special, don't think of them as separate 

 lands to he t}\anagcd hy theinst'k't'.s. 



Select a season or seasons of use so grazing occurs, as often as possible, during peri- 

 ods compatible with animal behavior and conditions in the riparian area. No season is 

 "best" for grazing Inestock in riparian areas. Li\-estock will affect riparian vegetation 

 and physical conditions differently depending on many factors, including the time of 

 year, the site's physical characteristics and condition, the stage of plant communities in 

 both the riparian area and the uplands, and the current weather. 



Control the distribution of livestock within the targeted pasture. Ultimately, it is not 



iIk- length of time cattle are in the pasture, but the amount of time they are actually ill 

 the riparian area of that pasture that determines the amount of grazing impact. It is 

 important to encourage livestock to move away from the stream. 



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