Plant response to defoliation in a subalpine green fescue community
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Authors: S. H. Sharrow, and D. E. Kuntz
Date: 1999
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 52
Number: 2
Pages: 174-180
Summary of Methods: Sharrow and Kuntz measured the level of elk (Cervus canadensis) grazing on three subalpine green fescue (Festuca viridula) meadows in Mt. Rainier National Park, and simulated grazing at different intensities (25, 50, 75%) and times during the growing season (early, mid, late). Elk utilization of forage in subalpine meadows was very low during the two years of the study. Less than half of the green fescue plants showed signs of browsing and only about 10% of the phytomass was removed on the majority of grazed plants, indicating that concerns about increased elk use in this area may not be valid. In the clipping experiment, as the level of defoliation increased total phytomass production increased, while the number of reproductive stems and standing phytomass at the end of the growing season decreased. The results of this study suggest that the forage species in the subalpine meadows of Mt. Rainier National Park can tolerate heavy grazing at varying times throughout the growing season. However, although grazing does not reduce vegetative production, reproduction is limited by heavy grazing and therefore if elk grazing intensity dose increase in the future, management may be required to maintain the composition of these grasslands.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: elk, cervus canadensis, grazing, green fescue, festuca viridula, alpine climate, grazing tolerance, species composition
Annotation: Utilization of plants by herbivores was investigated using an ocular estimate technique. Surveys were conducted in mid-growing season (August) of 1986 and 1987. Thirty, 9-m2 plots were randomly assigned to 3 replications of 10 defoliation treatments. Treatments included all combinations of 3 defoliation times (early, mid-, and late-growing season) and 3 intensities of defoliation (25, 50, and 75% of plant phytomass removal) plus undefoliated control plots. Defoliation plots were hand clipped in late-July, mid-August, and early September.
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