Effects of livestock grazing on rangeland grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) abundance
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Authors: K. M. O'Neill, B. E. Olson, M. G. Rolston, R. Wallander, D. P. Larson, and C. E. Seibert
Date: 2003
Journal: Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
Volume: 97
Number: 1-3
Pages: 51-64
Summary of Methods: The effects of grazing on grasshopper habitat and populations were studied for five years in southwestern Montana. Three grazing treatments were applied: control (no grazing), mosaic (low grazing intensity), and uniform (heavy grazing intensity). Grazing lasted 1-7 days from late May to late June. Climatic conditions and vegetative structure were measured once before and twice after grazing. Pre and post-grazing sampling on grasshopper communities were recorded.
Article Summary / Main Points: Overall grasshopper densities were highest in the ungrazed control and decreased with increased grazing intensity. However, some grasshopper species are more abundant in uniformly grazed (high grazing intensity) pastures. Grazing management may prove to be an effective way to reduce some grasshopper populations.
Vegetation Types: Intermountain Grasslands (includes Palouse Prairie and Canyon Grasslands)
MLRA Ecoregions: 44A Northern Rocky Mountain Valleys
Agrovoc Control Words: Grazing Rangelands Grasshoppers
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: cattle, grazing management, grasshopper assemblages, microclimate, pest management, montana, usa
Annotation: This was a replicated study conducted over five years and applies to intermountain valleys in the northern Rocky Mountains. The results are applicable to regions of similar topography, climate, vegetation, and the grasshopper species studied. Whether this relationship between grazing and grasshoppers on other types of rangelands would occur is unknown. The results include a description of changes in habitat structure and micro-climate before and after grazing in the control, low and high intensity grazing treatments. For additional studies concerning grazing effects on grasshopper populations refer to these articles on the RSIS website. Jepson-Innes and Bock (1989, Oecologia 78:430-431) showed that cattle grazing can have a positive or negative impact on grasshoppers, depending on the species and the type of forage relevant to that species. Joern (2004, Environ. Entomology 33:1617-1625; 2005, Ecology 86:861-873) studied the effect bison grazing and fire frequency has on grasshopper densities; with both Joern papers highlighting a positive correlation bison grazing has on grasshopper densities and species richness.
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