Postfire succession in big sagebrush steppe with livestock grazing
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Authors: J. D. Bates, E. C. Rhodes, K. W. Davies, and R. Sharp
Date: 2009
Journal: Rangeland Ecology & Management
Volume: 62
Number: 1
Pages: 98-110
Summary of Methods: The effects of cattle grazing on post-fire recovery of herbaceous vegetation were evaluated during 3 growing seasons between 2003 and 2005 in the Northern Great Basin Experimental Range, 34.8 miles west of Burns, Oregon (4593 feet altitude). The experiment was conducted in 5, 12.6-ha blocks where 6 treatments were applied in 2.1-ha plots for each block. The plots were burned in late Sept - early Oct 2002, killing 90% of the Wyoming big sagebrush. The treatments were grazing the first 2 summers after fire (Summer 1), grazing the 2nd and 3rd summer after fire (Summer 2), grazing the 2nd and 3rd spring after fire (Spring 1), grazing the 3rd spring after fire (Spring 2), burn no grazing after fire, and unburned not grazed. Summer grazing treatments were applied in early August, and the spring grazing treatments in early to mid May. Vegetation measurements (canopy cover, density, number of species, standing crop, herbage yield, and perennial grass seed production) were taken 2 years pre-treatment and 4 years post-fire using 6 permanent 50m transects within each treatment. Annual herbaceous yield was determined by separating current year's growth from standing crop for perennial grasses.
Article Summary / Main Points: Moderate livestock grazing (removal of 40-50% of herbaceous standing crop) after one growth cycle following fire does not slow or reduce the recovery of herbaceous plant communities in Wyoming big sagebrush steppe. Spring grazing, during vegetative growth of perennial bunchgrasses, of Wyoming big sagebrush communities after 1 or 2 years of rest following burning does not adversely affected the response of herbaceous community (annual yield). Herbaceous cover, standing crop, and annual yields in burned and burn-grazed Wyoming big sagebrush communities were not different with unburned communities 2 and 3 years after burning. Burning Wyoming big sagebrush communities may not increase the abundance or yield of perennial forbs.
Vegetation Types: Sagebrush Steppe
MLRA Ecoregions: 23 Malheur High Plateau
Agrovoc Control Words: Sagebrush Grasses Grazing
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: sagebrush steppe, fire, bluebunch wheatgrass, idaho fescue
Annotation: This experiment was well conducted; however, the interpretation of this study needs to be considered under the conditions the study was conducted. The study was conducted in small plots where uniform grazing use was assessed. Therefore, as the authors stated in larger pastures and longer grazing duration levels of herbaceous recovery may be different.
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