Heavy grazing of Canadian bluejoint to enhance hardwood and white spruce regeneration
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Authors: W. B. Collins
Date: 2001
Journal: Northern Journal of Applied Forestry
Volume: 18
Number: 1
Pages: 19-21
Summary of Methods: Heavy grazing was initiated on wet, disturbed sites in southcentral Alaska to try and reduce competition from herbaceous species, namely Canadian bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), and increase regeneration of paper birch (Betula papyrifera) and white spruce (Picea glauca). Grazing decreased total herbaceous production and litter cover by 40%, although it increased bluejoint production by 200-300 kg/ha, presumably because of reduced competition and earlier greenup. However, paper birch and white spruce regeneration was not improved, and although these species increased in grazed sites, compared with their decrease in ungrazed sites, numbers remained considerably lower than the minimal reforestation requirement. Since a) grazing did not have a detrimental affect on runoff water quality, b) livestock did not switch diets to utilize leaves or twigs of willow, spruce, or birch, and c) seedling loss to trampling was not observed, heavy grazing may still be considered as an alternative site preparation technique.
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: canadian bluejoint, calamagrostis canadensis, alaska, paper birch, betula papyrifera, willow, salix, white spruce, picea glauca, browse, forest regeneration, wildlife, livestock grazing
Annotation: Heavy grazing of 0.084 ha / AUM, first year by cattle, and 3 years by horses. ,Four years prior to grazing, initiation plots were reforested (burning, scarification, planting of containerized white spruce seedlings), but failed because of overtopping bluejoint and snow press damage. ,Livestock were allowed on the site for multiple 7 day periods. This kept bluejoint phenologically young and nutritious, which helped to keep livestock grazing the target plants.
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