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plawrence
I've always found it odd and a bit of an oxymoron that on land that's designated as "wilderness" that the Forest Service allows cattle grazing.

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plawrence

The L.A. Times article didn't delve too deeply how the cattle grazing specifically impacts the survivability of California's golden trout. I know the major impact grazing has on the meadows itself, but exactly what's the negative impacts on the streams and creeks in regards to the golden trout? quote]

I would guess it has a lot to do with poo and a little bit to do with destruction of habitat. Cow poo gets into the water and introduces harmful microorganisms (harmful mostly to people) along with nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients stimulate algae growth and lead to Eutrophication (increase of "microplant" biomass) of lakes and streams. We re talking lots and lots of algae & phytoplankton. All the phytoplankton and algae choke the oxygen out of the water. If the water does not contain enough dissolved oxygen, the fish die. The reduction in dissolved oxygen will be compounded by increasing surface water temperatures which is also not good for fish. The increased temperature increases the chance of the release of toxins by cyanobacteria blooms (I think these can hurt the fish but I am not 100% certain of that). In addition to their impact on nitrogen cycle and "lake death by eutrophication I would imagine cows destroy habitat by trampling the banks and changing the way the river flows through a meadow. Perhaps they flatten the banks and broaden the river bed making the river more shallow and less hospitible for the fish. The cows are not only a threat to fish, they are also a threat to the water qualtiy of the Sierras and those who drink the water that flows from her magnificent peaks. I personally would like to see them go...

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riverkat

Quote
plawrence

The L.A. Times article didn't delve too deeply how the cattle grazing specifically impacts the survivability of California's golden trout. I know the major impact grazing has on the meadows itself, but exactly what's the negative impacts on the streams and creeks in regards to the golden trout?

I would guess it has a lot to do with poo and a little bit to do with destruction of habitat. Cow poo gets into the water and introduces harmful microorganisms (harmful mostly to people) along with nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients stimulate algae growth and lead to Eutrophication (increase of "microplant" biomass) of lakes and streams. We re talking lots and lots of algae & phytoplankton. All the phytoplankton and algae choke the oxygen out of the water. If the water does not contain enough dissolved oxygen, the fish die. The reduction in dissolved oxygen will be compounded by increasing surface water temperatures which is also not good for fish. The increased temperature increases the chance of the release of toxins by cyanobacteria blooms (I think these can hurt the fish but I am not 100% certain of that). In addition to their impact on nitrogen cycle and "lake death by eutrophication I would imagine cows destroy habitat by trampling the banks and changing the way the river flows through a meadow. Perhaps they flatten the banks and broaden the river bed making the river more shallow and less hospitible for the fish. The cows are not only a threat to fish, they are also a threat to the water qualtiy of the Sierras and those who drink the water that flows from her magnificent peaks. I personally would like to see them go...