Interactive effects of fire, bison (Bison Bison) grazing and plant community composition in tallgrass prairie
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Authors: M. A. Vinton, D. C. Hartnett, E. J. Finck, and J. M. Briggs
Date: 1993
Journal: American Midland Naturalist
Volume: 129
Number: 1
Pages: 10-18
Summary of Methods: Over two years, bison (Bison bison) on the Konza Prairie were 3 times as likely to graze recently burned watersheds as unburned areas, especially in spring and summer. Bison also preferentially grazed big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and other warm-season grasses, as well as areas with high grass-to-forb ratios. As a result, rhizome biomass of big bluestem and biomass of forbs adjacent to grazed patches were significantly higher than in grazed areas. Vinton et al. suggest that through preferential selection of specific species and vegetation types on both watershed and patch levels, bison increase plant community heterogeneity across the landscape.
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: grazing, konza prairie research national area, bison, bison bison, perennial grasses
Annotation: Bison were introduced onto 469 ha of Konza in October and during the study the maximum number of animals was 45.
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