Plant morphology and grazing history: Relationships between native grasses and herbivores
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Authors: E. L. Painter, J. K. Detling, and D. A. Steingraeber
Date: 1993
Journal: Plant Ecology
Volume: 106
Number: 1
Pages: 37-62
Summary of Methods: Painter et al examined four co-occurring perennial grass species: Bouteloua gracilis, Agropyron smithii, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Andropogon gerardii from eight locales in South Dakota. Active-colony plants were more frequently and more heavily grazed than those at other grazed locales. In situ, plants from heavily grazed populations were smaller and more prostrate than those from populations with little to no grazing (including the extinct colony) and interpopulation variation corresponded to current grazer use. After several growing seasons in common environments, there were still significant interpopulation differences; however, variation often corresponded with grazing history. Although differences between active-colony and noncolony plants were somewhat reduced, active-colony plants were still smaller and more prostrate. However, extinct-colony plants more closely resembled active-colony plants than noncolony plants. Morphological variation among these populations is the result of more than simple grazer use historical factors and the dynamic nature of the grazing regimes are also contributing factors.
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: ecotypic differentiation, free-roaming ungulates, interpopulation variation, north american native grasses, prairie dog colonies, cynomys ludovicianus
Annotation: Three locales currently occupied and heavily grazed by prairie dogs, colonized for 2-100 years, where native ungulates concentrate grazing activities. An extinct colony locale from which prairie dogs were removed 30 years previously, moderately to lightly grazed by ungulates. Two noncolony locales, moderately to lightly grazed by ungulates. Two locales from within a 50-year old grazing exclosure, with no known history of grazing by prairie dogs nor any recent grazing by ungulates.
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