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Vegetation changes which occurred during 12 years of protection from grazing were documented in mountain meadows of north-central Idaho. Plant composition changes were evident on all five sites studied, whereas herbage production was significantly less on the grazed than ungrazed areas at two of the sites. Season-long grazing by cattle has apparently been responsible for decreasing production and retarding plant succession. A change in grazing systems would likely increase the carrying capacity for herbivores.
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Leege et al. (1981) studied this question.
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