The selection of key soil physical properties (SPPs) for studying the impact of livestock
treading is an unexplored research topic, especially in studies that analyze the influence of livestock
management on the degradation process. The objective of this work was to demonstrate that the key
SPPs for studying the impact of livestock treading depend on the objectives of the research and the
environmental characteristics of the study site. This work used discriminant analysis to establish the
most significant SPPs among the following: bulk density (BD), total porosity (P), field capacity (FC),
infiltration capacity (IC), and aggregate stability (AS). Results showed that (1) IC and BD are the key
properties for identifying the areas affected (bare patch) and unaffected (vegetated patch) by livestock
treading, (2) none of the SPPs are significant under increasing stocking rates, and (3) BD is the key
property for analyzing livestock impact with increasing stocking rate, using soil calcium carbonate
content, slope exposure, and grass cover. We concluded that the relationship between physical soil
degradation and stocking rate is not linear because it depends on environmental factors; therefore, to
establish the key SPPs, it is necessary to take this fact into account.
