Effects of burning and grazing on a coastal California grassland
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Authors: D. A. Hatch, J. W. Bartolome, J. S. Fehmi, and D. S. Hillyard
Date: 1999
Journal: Restoration Ecology
Volume: 7
Number: 4
Pages: 376-381
Summary of Methods: Fall burning and continuous grazing of California coastal prairie on upper, middle, and lower slopes had varied effect on 3 native perennial grasses. Foliar cover of California oatgrass (Danthonia californica) increased by 10% under a 10-year or more continuous grazing regime, but decreased in both cover and frequency when grazing was excluded. Despite response to grazing, California oatgrass was unaffected by fire. In contrast, purple needlegrass (Nassella pulchra) and foothill needlegrass (Nassella lepida) did not respond consistently to grazing limitation or fire, actions often prescribed for restoration of native perennials in California grasslands. Hatch et al. note that the current practice of managing to enhance single species of native plants (e.g., N. pulchra) may be detrimental to other equally important native species.
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: burning, grazing, management, california, coastal grassland, restoration
Annotation: The area exclusive of experimental exclosures was grazed yearlong by approximately 15 dairy cows and 200 sheep. Utilization (obtained by comparing standing crop in grazed and ungrazed treatments) was 29%, 46%, and 73% in 1990, and 14%, 43%, and 50% in 1991.
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