Influence of topographic and edaphic factors on vulnerability to soil degradation due to cattle grazing in humid tropical mountains in northern Honduras

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
The use of sloping areas for cattle grazing may lead to significant soil degradation and therefore the AA. examined the influence of the slope gradient on soil degradation in pastures in a humid tropical mountainous area in northern Honduras. Understanding this relationship permits estimates of the physical carrying capacity of the soil, which in turn may help to improve livestock use within the study area. Variables examined included soil bulk density, texture, organic matter content and consistency as well as visual indicators of soil and vegetation degradation. There is a significant positive correlation between the bulk density as a proxy for soil degradation and slope gradient. Furthermore, it was found that when soils are water-saturated grazing leads to severe degradation.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Catena (Giessen), issn : 0341-8162, 2011, vol. 86, n°. 2, p. 130-137, nombre de pages : 8, Références bibliographiques : 37 ref.

Date :
2011

Editeur :
Pays édition : Allemagne, Cremlingen-Destedt, Catena