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Large ungulate effects on nitrogen dynamics in riparian ecosystems of Colorado

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dc.contributor.authorPrzeszlowska, Agnieszka, author
dc.contributor.authorTrlica, M. J., advisor
dc.date.accessioned2024-03-13T20:12:30Z
dc.date.available2024-03-13T20:12:30Z
dc.date.issued2008
dc.description.abstractLarge ungulates can affect feedbacks between aboveground and belowground N pools, nutrient mineralization rates, and soil food webs at different temporal and spatial scales. Little is known about the effects of ungulates on nutrient dynamics in riparian zones which are important systems that provide habitat and forage for wildlife and livestock, and act as sediment and nutrient buffers between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Livestock grazing is a predominant land use on public and private lands in the western US while bison are more prevalent in National Parks and Monuments. The main goal of my studies was to investigate if bison and cattle alter N dynamics in riparian ecosystems of the Great Sand Dunes region or Sheep Creek of north-central Colorado. Studies of terrestrial ecosystems have shown accelerating, decelerating, or neutral effects of ungulates on N cycling (N pools or N fluxes). I hypothesized that cattle or bison grazing would accelerate N cycling in riparian zones because they are fertile and productive systems. Bison grazing in Great Sand Dunes riparian corridors and wet meadows did not increase potential net N mineralization while cattle did not affect net N mineralization in wet meadows. Cattle grazing in the Sheep Creek montane riparian zone did not increase aboveground production, aboveground or belowground plant N pools, soil N pools, soil microbial biomass, litter decomposition, net N mineralization or denitrification in the riparian zone as a whole. Cattle also did not affect stream or groundwater NO3- and NH4+ concentrations. Signs of accelerated N cycling were detected only near the stream bank where potential soil net N mineralization was 35% higher in cattle grazed than excluded sites. This could be attributed to more frequent cattle utilization of streambank sites compared with areas further away from the stream. Although there was no strong evidence for accelerated N cycling in riparian zones grazed by bison or cattle, results suggest that increased N cycling is more likely in riparian sites that have a long history of grazing or are grazed frequently at moderate intensity. Season-long, light-to-moderate cattle grazing does not appear detrimental to N cycling and riparian functioning.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediumdoctoral dissertations
dc.identifierETDF_Przeszlowska_2008_3332770.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/237912
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.rights.licensePer the terms of a contractual agreement, all use of this item is limited to the non-commercial use of Colorado State University and its authorized users.
dc.subjectbison
dc.subjectcattle grazing
dc.subjectherbivory
dc.subjectnitrogen cycling
dc.subjectriparian
dc.subjectungulates
dc.subjectecology
dc.subjectsoil sciences
dc.subjectrange management
dc.titleLarge ungulate effects on nitrogen dynamics in riparian ecosystems of Colorado
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineForest, Rangeland, and Watershed Stewardship
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

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