Ungulate grazing in sagebrush grassland: mechanisms of resource competition
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Authors: N. T. Hobbs, D. L. Baker, G. D. Bear, and D. C. Bowden
Date: 1996
Journal: Ecological Applications
Volume: 6
Number: 1
Pages: 200-217
Summary of Methods: Three densities of elk (Cervus elaphus canadensis) were grazed in the winter and early spring to determine how each effected the availability and use of forage by cattle (Bos taurus) in the spring. Elk grazing removed live and dead plant biomass, reducing forage dry matter, digestible energy, and nitrogen available for cattle consumption. Average digestibility and nitrogen content of perennial grasses was improved due to elk grazing, resulting in a shift of dead to live forage available to cattle. For the conditions of this study, a 45 gm/m2 of live and dead forage supply threshold exists. Strong competition will occur between elk and cattle if elk are allowed to remove forage beyond this level. Elk grazing has both facilitative and competitive effects on cattle.
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: elk, cervus elaphus canadensis, cattle, bos taurus, facilitative effects, competitive effects
Annotation: Elk were grazed at these three intensities: 5.1 ha/AUM (9.3 animals/km2), 3.04 ha/AUM (15.4 animals/km2), and 1.5 ha/AUM (31.4 animals/km2). Cattle were grazed to achieve 50% removal of net annual aboveground production of perennial grasses in control pastures.
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