USE OF ANNUAL PLANTS IN CALIFORNIA FOOTHILLS 45 



The basic set of utilization standards (9, 5) consists of three photographs 

 illustrating light, moderate, and close utilization, with descriptions of 

 the kind of grazing typical of each degree of utilization. A numerical 

 index scale (6) was also developed to simplify recording of intermediate 

 degrees, but for practical ranch operation the three photographs are 

 sufficient. 



By comparing the appearance of the grazed range with the three 

 photographs, the degree of grazing obtained that year can be readily 

 recognized. Two criteria should guide the ratings: (1) the pattern of 

 grazing over the different sites, and (2) the extent to which the soil 

 surface and small ground objects are masked from view by ungrazed 

 herbage. The first criterion is usually adequate for rating the degree of 

 grazing, but attention to the second helps evaluate the amount of herbage 

 left to protect the soil. 



Under light utilization (fig. 18), grazing appears uniform over the 

 slopes; most spots are lightly cropped, but a few spots are cropped as 

 closely as 2-inch stubble height. The swale bottoms (wet-swale sites) 

 are closely cropped, often to a stubble height of less than 1 inch; swale 

 margins (dry-swale sites) show little use or a patchy use (fig. 19). Low- 

 hanging shrub canopies, fallen branches, and the edges of rocks are 

 mostly obscured by ungrazed herbage. The soil surface and small 

 objects on the ground are almost completely masked from view at distances 

 of 20 feet or more. The landscape has a yellowish or straw-colored cast 

 from ungrazed grass at the time of the first fall rains. 



Under close utilization (fig. 20) grazing appears very uniform ; few lightly 

 grazed tufts above 2-inch stubble height remain. Both the swale bottoms 

 (wet-swale sites) and the swale margins (dry-swale sites) are uniformly 

 grazed. Low-hanging shrub canopies, fallen branches, and the edges of 

 rocks stand out in bold relief, and the soil surface and small objects on 

 the ground are everywhere visible through the short stubble. There is 

 generally a brownish cast over the slopes from ungrazed filaree and other 

 broadleaved herbs at the time of the first fall rains. 



Under moderate utilization (fig. 21) grazing appears very patchy; 

 lightly cropped spots are intermixed with spots cropped to about 2-inch 

 stubble height. The swale bottoms (wet-swale sites) are cropped to 

 less than 1-inch stubble height; swale margins (dry-swale sites) show 

 patchy use. Low-hanging shrub canopies, fallen branches, and the 

 edges of rocks are partially obscured by ungrazed herbage. The soil 

 surface and small objects on the ground are partially masked from view 

 at distances of 20 feet or more. The yellowish cast of ungrazed grass 

 is dulled in the closely grazed spots by the brownish undertones of dry 

 broadleaved herbs at the time of the first fall rains. 



These photographic standards for recognizing and rating degree of 

 grazing of annual-plant vegetation, evolved by group effort of the range 

 staff, were tested in the experimental pastures and have proved adaptable 

 for use on almost all kinds of California foothill range. 



SUMMARY 



Annual plants, which dominate California foothill ranges, grow l/ from 

 fall until spring. Growth starts with the first effective rains (0.5 to 1.0 

 inch), usually in October, but is limited during the fall and winter by 

 intervals of low temperature or insufficient precipitation. Plants grow 



