Some relationships of black-tailed prairie dogs to livestock grazing
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Authors: C. J. Knowles
Date: 1986
Journal: Great Basin Naturalist
Volume: 46
Number: 2
Pages: 198-203
Summary of Methods: Knowles notes that the most black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies were located in areas with intensive livestock grazing, livestock watering sites, and where human activity had disturbed the topsoil. Cattle (Bos taurus) occurred more often on quarter sections with prairie dog colonies than on quarter sections without prairie dog colonies. This association, however, had more to do with the water sources located in these quarter sections, rather than the presence of prairie dog colonies. Prairie dogs grazed equally on grasses and forbs when ungulates were present, whereas grasses were their primary forage on areas without ungulate grazing. Prairie dog colonization appeared to follow intensive grazing and soil disturbance at livestock watering sites and homesteads.
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: cynomys ludovicianus, bos taurus, water source, ungulate, livestock watering site, human activity
Annotation: Surveys of cattle were made in two of four pastures under a rest-rotation grazing system. Grazing from April 1-July 31.
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