Effects of bison and cattle on growth, reproduction, and abundance of five tallgrass prairie forbs
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Authors: S. A. Damhoureyeh, and D. C. Hartnett
Date: 1997
Journal: American Journal of Botany
Volume: 84
Number: 12
Pages: 1719-1728
Summary of Methods: Damhoureyeh and Hartnett measured the growth and reproduction of five forb species in tallgrass prairie pastures in Kansas that were grazed by bison or cattle, and burned every year or every four years for the length of the study. The response of vegetation to grazing varied by forb species, grazer species and burning frequency. Since forbs were not grazed, forbs in pastures stocked with bison and cattle tended to produce more vegetative and reproductive biomass following removal of grasses, however in some cases, production was reduced due to the negative effects of grazing disturbances. These results indicate that the impacts of grazing are dependant on several variables in tallgrass prairie pastures and the authors suggest that the impacts of land management plans on forb species should be determined prior to their implementation since forbs provide valuable habitat and forage for wildlife in the tallgrass prairie.
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: fire, forbs, grazing, tallgrass prairie, bison, cattle
Annotation: Cattle graze from May to October but bison graze year long.,Grazing intensity was defined as "ungrazed" and "grazed".
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