Abstract
The effects of livestock grazing systems on infiltration rates and sediment production were studied at the
Buchuma Range Research Station, Kenya. Four livestock grazing treatments were studied: high intensity, low
frequency (HILF), sampled at the end of the rest period (HILFl) and at the end of the graze period (HILF2);
rotation grazing (RG), sampled at the end of the rest period (RGI) and at the end of the graze period (RG2);
moderate continuous grazing (MCG) and no livestock grazing (EXC). A combination of cattle and goats were
utilized in each grazing treatment. The EXC pastures had the greatest infiltration rate although it was not
significantly different from HILFl, or RG 1 pastures at the end of the rest period and the RG2 pasture after the
grazing period. The MCG pasture infiltration rates were less than the other pastures although they were not
significantly different from RG pastures. During August the greatest sediment production occurred from the
MCG pastures although it was not significantly greater than RG pastures. During December the greatest
sediment production was from RG2 pastures at the end of the rest period although it was only significantly
greater than the EXC. Litter accumulation, grass standing crop, and surface soil organic matter content and
aggregate stability explained 80% of the August and December variation in infiltration rates. These same
variables respectively accounted for 73% and 54% of the variation in August and December sediment
production. This research supports the idea that rest from grazing and the ratio of graze to rest period are
important in maintaining hydrologic health and rangeland productivity.
