Rates of vegetation change associated with prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) grazing in North American mixed-grass prairie
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Authors: S. Archer, M. G. Garrett, and J. K. Detling
Date: 1987
Journal: Plant Ecology
Volume: 72
Number: 3
Pages: 159-166
Summary of Methods: Expansion of a 6-year old prairie dog colony to a previously uncolonized site resulted in loss of perennial grasses and their replacement by annual forbs within 3 years. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), needleandthread grass (Stipa comata), and green needlegrass (S. viridula) decreased most rapidly, followed by western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii) and sun sedge (Carex heliophila). In contrast,buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides) and blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) persisted in the oldest part of the colony. During the first two years, bare ground increased by a factor of 3, but then stabilized at 35%, as a result of increased forb cover.
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: black-tailed prairie dogs, cynomys ludovicianus, agropyron, bouteloua, detrended correspondence analysis, diversity, ecotype, herbivory, stipa, structure
Annotation: None
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