Grazing Effects on Stream Habitat and Fishes: Research Design Considerations

Abstract
A 4-year study of a montane stream from which cattle grazing had been excluded for 10 years indicated that stream bank vegetation and stability were markedly improved and that stream substrate fines were somewhat reduced, but it indicated that fish populations were unaffected. Shortcomings of this case history study are common to past similarly designed studies of grazing effects on fishes and their habitats. Three major deficiencies in research design are (1) lack of pretreatment data, (2) improper consideration of fishery management principles, and (3) linear positioning of treatments along a stream. Future research on riparian grazing effects must address these factors in addition to designs of long-term (10+ years) ecosystem (watershed) studies.

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