Suppression of grasshoppers in the Great Plains through grazing management
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Authors: J. A. Onsager
Date: 2000
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 53
Number: 6
Pages: 592-602
Summary of Methods: The effects of grazing on grasshopper abundance in western North Dakota (47° 35’ to 47° 50’ N; and 104° 00’ to 103° 45’ W) were studied for five years. Two grazing treatments (twice-over rotation and season-long) were compared. For the first 2 years vegetation cover data was measured periodically throughout the grazing season. Grasshopper abundance and population data was sampled every 2-10 days from spring until fall for all five years. Climate trends were also tracked over the course of the study.
Article Summary / Main Points: The study the area had hot, dry weather which corresponded with an increase in grasshopper abundance. Grasshopper populations were lower with a twice-over rotational grazing system. Outbreaks are also more likely to occur on pastures that are grazed season-long. Vegetation data showed that grasshoppers consumed more forage on season-long grazing sites compared to rotational sites, due to the greater density of grasshoppers present on season-long grazing sites.
Vegetation Types: Northern Mixed Prairie
MLRA Ecoregions: 54 Rolling Soft Shale Plain
Agrovoc Control Words: Grazing Rangelands Grasshoppers
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: grasshopper management, twice-over grazing system, rotational grazing, melanoplus sanguinipes
Annotation: This pseudo-replicated study conducted over 5 years and the associated findings are applicable to the northern mixed prairies. These results are most applicable to regions of similar topography, plant communities, and especially climatic factors. Measuring grasshopper populations on an ungrazed pasture to compare with both grazed pastures would have been beneficial. For additional studies concerning grazing effects on grasshopper populations refer to these articles available in the RSIS database. Jepson-Innes and Bock (1989, Oecol. 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 available relevant to that species. Joern (2004, Environ. Entomol. 33:1617-1625; and 2005, Ecology 86:861-873) studied the effect bison grazing and fire frequency has on grasshopper densities; with both Joern papers highlighting the positive correlation bison grazing has on grasshopper densities and species richness.
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