Impacts of mule deer and horse grazing on transplanted shrubs for revegetation
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Authors: D. D. Austin, P. J. Urness, and S. L. Durham
Date: 1994
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 47
Number: 1
Pages: 8-11
Summary of Methods: Horse grazing in the spring increased winter browse for mule deer in Northern Utah. Horses removed about 50% of the herbaceous biomass, while deer used slightly more than 50% of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), but only 10% of rubber rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus albicaulis). The decline in the number of surviving big sagebrush plants was different between treatments (horses only, deer only, combined, control); with the largest mortality of 3-year old sagebrush plants occurring in the combined grazing treatment. Percent bare ground was lowest in the control and deer treatments compared to horses and deer combined. Percent annuals were highest in the deer treatment compared to the combined. Rubber rabbitbrush remained unaffected by treatments variables.
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: big sagebrush, artemisia tridentata, rubber rabbitbrush, chrysothamnus nauseosus albicaulis, winter range, northern utah, grazing, reseeding
Annotation: Large differences in herbage production between years (1987-1989 drought). Stocking of horses ranged from 1 - 0.4 horse/ha which resulted in 34% -71% utilization. The 5-year mean indicated 60 deer-days/ha in the winter.
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