Effects of a decade of grazing exclusion on three Wyoming big sagebrush community types

Thomas, T.W.; Davies, Kirk W.; Mata-González, Ricardo; Svejcar, Lauren N.; Clenet, Danielle R.

doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02338

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…However, the authors cautioned against repeatedly applying spring grazing as it might negatively affect other native bunchgrasses. A decade of spring grazing of invasive annual grass‐dominated communities also increased Sandberg bluegrass abundance (Thomas et al, 2022). Spring grazing reduces invasive annual grass seed production (Diamond et al, 2012), which might contribute to reducing annual grass abundance.…”

Section: Grazing To Influence Plant Community Compositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, grazing occurs at moderate (30%–50% utilization of available forage) to low (<30% utilization of available forage) intensities in many sagebrush rangelands, and these areas are comparable to ungrazed areas (Anderson & Holte, 1980; Copeland et al, 2021; Davies et al, 2018; Rice & Westoby, 1978; Veblen et al, 2015). Thus, it is unlikely that removing moderate or low intensity grazing will substantially improve sagebrush rangeland condition (e.g., increase native perennial forbs and grasses, limit invasive species, and decrease erosion potential) (Copeland et al, 2021; Davies et al, 2014; Thomas et al, 2022). There are also economic and social reasons to use sagebrush rangelands for livestock production, especially as world demand for food and fiber increases (Westcott & Trostle, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ecological benefits of strategically applied livestock grazing in sagebrush communities

Davies,

Boyd,

Bates

et al. 2024

Ecosphere

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There are concerns about the negative consequences of non‐native livestock grazing of sagebrush communities, especially since these communities are experiencing unpreceded threats from invasive annual grasses, altered fire regimes, and climate change. The narrative around grazing often focuses on the effects of heavy, repeated growing season use that were common historically but now are rare or localized (e.g., near water sources). At the same time, the potential for ecological benefits of strategically applied grazing is often overlooked, limiting management options that may promote desired outcomes. To improve management in the face of unprecedented threats, we synthesized the literature to investigate and identify potential ecological benefits of strategically applied livestock grazing in sagebrush communities. We found that grazing can be used to modify fine fuel characteristics in ways that decrease fire probability and severity in sagebrush communities. Pre‐fire moderate grazing may be especially important because it decreases fire severity and, thereby, promotes biodiversity and reduces postfire annual grass invasion, fire‐induced mortality of native bunchgrasses, and fire damage to soil biocrusts. Grazing can create and maintain fine fuel breaks to improve firefighter safety and fire suppression efficiency. Strategic grazing can also be used to promote desirable plant community composition. Grazing can be a valuable tool, that is currently underutilized, for achieving desired management outcomes in the sagebrush and likely other ecosystems. Improper grazing can generate severe negative consequences; therefore, successful application of grazing to achieve desired outcomes will require careful attention to plant community response and balancing management objectives with community constraints.

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Section: Grazing To Influence Plant Community Compositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological benefits of strategically applied livestock grazing in sagebrush communities

Davies,

Boyd,

Bates

et al. 2024

Ecosphere

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Understanding the effects of livestock grazing on dryland plant communities within the context of abiotic variability

Carpenter,

Burke,

Lauenroth

2024

Ecosphere

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Drylands, which cover more than 40% of the Earth's terrestrial surface, face rising agricultural demand and the influence of climate change. Understanding how livestock grazing pressure and local climate affect these environments is pivotal for informed land management. We studied big sagebrush plant communities in southwestern Wyoming over grazing gradients created by artificial livestock watering points. To explore the role of abiotic factors in shaping plant community response to grazing, we assessed the response of plant functional groups to grazing while accounting for soil texture variability across a precipitation gradient. Our models estimated that sagebrush cover responded positively to grazing intensity, with a 6% increase in cover with intensity when comparing the heaviest grazing treatment with the lowest grazing intensity. Perennial bunchgrass cover, the primary forage component, had a small negative response, a 3% decrease in cover from the lowest grazing intensity to the highest. Grazing intensity had no effect on bunchgrass density, perennial forbs, or rhizomatous grasses. Compared with abiotic factors, grazing intensity had a small effect on perennial bunchgrass and bare ground. We found that precipitation explained a 13% increase in perennial bunchgrass cover and a 34% decrease in bare ground cover compared with a 6% increase with increasing intensity across our grazing gradients. Sand content also had a larger effect on perennial bunchgrass cover and density than grazing. Increased sand content was associated with increased bunchgrass cover and density, supporting the inverse texture hypothesis. Our results show that while livestock grazing impacts sagebrush plant communities, its effect is small when compared with the effects of climate and soil. Our study contributes to a growing body of research emphasizing the need to contextualize plant community responses to grazing within specific climatic and edaphic conditions, which will promote effective land management in dryland ecosystems.

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Sagebrush Ecosystems are More Than Artemisia: The Complex Issue of Degraded Understories in the Great Basin

Copeland,

Davies,

Boyd

2024

Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Effects of a decade of grazing exclusion on three Wyoming big sagebrush community types

Cited by 3 publications

References 51 publications

Ecological benefits of strategically applied livestock grazing in sagebrush communities

Ecological benefits of strategically applied livestock grazing in sagebrush communities

Understanding the effects of livestock grazing on dryland plant communities within the context of abiotic variability

Sagebrush Ecosystems are More Than Artemisia: The Complex Issue of Degraded Understories in the Great Basin

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