Effects of grazing intensity on growth, reproduction, and abundance of three palatable forbs in Kansas tallgrass prairie
-
-
Authors: K. R. Hickman, and D. C. Hartnett
Date: 2002
Journal: Plant Ecology
Volume: 159
Number:
Pages: 23-33
Summary of Methods: Composition, growth, and reproduction of Aster ericoides, Ruellia humilis, and Amorpha canescens were measured in pastures that were ungrazed or stocked lightly, moderately, or highly with cattle to determine the impacts of different grazing intensities on these subdominant forbs. Stem height and biomass of R. humilis and A. ericoides decreased as grazing intensity increased. Reproductive effort and height of A. canescens decreased with increasing grazing intensity but plant biomass was similar among all grazing intensities. Vegetation response varied among forb species but grazing generally had negative effects on the growth and reproduction of all three forbs, suggesting that these subdominant species would not increase and become dominant in tallgrass prairie pastures exposed to heavy grazing.
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: aster ericoides, ruellia humilis, amorpha canescens, stocking density, grazing intensity, species composition
Annotation: Pastures were stocked at different densities: Low- 0.26 AU/ha, Moderate- 0.36 AU/ha, and High- 0.56 AU/ha. Pastures were burned annually each April prior to grazing.
-
Get article
Cite article with DOI
-