To better understand the effects of a grazing strategy, small exclosures show what occurs in the absence of grazing pressure. Each year ecological data about plant diversity, abundance and vigor is collected both inside and outside, these observations help provide information for land managers. In general, within the exclosures there is a noted increase in thatch and decrease in total species. Just outside the exclosure where cattle have grazed is something more like the ancient California prairies which evolved with huge herds of hungry beasts and seasonal fire. The first photo was 2017, the year it was built and the other two show summer 2021 and spring 2020 respectively.
