Is Altering Grazing Selectivity of Invasive Forage Species With Patch Burning More Effective Than Herbicide Treatments?

Cummings, D. Chad; Fuhlendorf, Samuel D.; Engle, David M.

doi:10.2111/1551-5028(2007)60[253:iagsoi]2.0.co;2

Cited by 74 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The preference or focusing of grazing in a particular area (large or small) will influence vegetation community and characteristics. The continued attraction of both bison and cattle to recently burned areas alters vegetation structure which affects biodiversity , fire behavior (Leonard et al 2010), invasive species populations (Cummings et al 2007), invertebrate populations and communities (Engle et al 2008), and nutrient cycling and distribution . The preference of riparian and woody vegetation areas by cattle will also likely result in vegetation and system changes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of herbivores in Great Plains conservation: comparative ecology of bison and cattle

2011

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Abstract. The Great Plains of North America evolved with significant influence from bison (Bison bison), but is presently dominated by cattle (Bos taurus). While there are a variety of opinions concerning differences between these two species, there is a lack of scientific comparisons, including those that incorporate important ecological variation. We developed a framework to study and compare the grazing behavior and effects of bison and cattle within grassland ecosystems. Environmental (e.g., resource distribution, disturbance) and animal (e.g., number, social organization) factors play a critical role in determining grazing effects and should be incorporated into discussions that compare the effects of bison and cattle. Using this framework we specifically compare the grazing behavior of both species in tallgrass prairie and discuss the implications of these differences in the context of conservation. We collared bison and cattle with global positioning systems and used resource selection functions to estimate the importance of various environmental factors on site selection. Both species preferred recently burned areas and avoided steeper slopes. Cattle selected areas that were closer to water, while bison were not limited by distance to water; cattle also preferred areas with woody vegetation, while bison avoided them. Incorporating broad scale environmental complexity allows for an effective comparison of ecological differences between bison and cattle. While there are similarities and differences in these species, a comprehensive analysis of all conditions and scenarios is not possible. It is clear, however, that the greatest differences between these species will likely be evident from broad scale studies across complex landscapes. In addition to species, conservation and land managers need to consider other environmental factors that are critical to grazing effects and overall conservation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of herbivores in Great Plains conservation: comparative ecology of bison and cattle

2011

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“…PTC is a North American native (Diggs et al 1999), and SL, native to Asia, is naturalized throughout the southern USA (Cummings et al 2007). PTC and SL seeds were germinated in growth chambers in March 2012, and, after three weeks, plants were transplanted in a greenhouse into 1.9 L containers filled with topsoil (A and B horizons) Mehlich 1984).…”

Section: Plant Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Legume protein precipitable phenolic and nutrient concentration responses to defoliation and ontogeny

Cooper

Naumann

Lambert

et al. 2013

Journal of Plant Interactions

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A study was conducted to determine how total phenolic (TP), protein precipitable phenolic (PPP), C, and N concentrations, and amount of protein bound (PB) by PPP in leaves of Desmodium paniculatum (panicled tick-clover; PTC) and Lespedeza cuneata (sericea lespedeza; SL) were affected by simulated herbivory and plant ontogeny. All PTC treatments resulted in a decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in TP, PPP, C, and N concentrations and PB between vegetative and seed set stages. All SL treatments resulted in increased (P ≤ 0.05) or stable TP and PPP concentrations from vegetative stage to seed set. The amount of PB was greatest (P ≤ 0.05) in SL plants submitted to 25% defoliation, and flowering and seed set stages had greater (P ≤ 0.05) PB than the vegetative stage. Ontogenesis and defoliation did not (P > 0.05) affect SL N and C concentrations. The protein binding characteristics of PPP from PTC, but not that of SL, appear to be altered in response to stress. Results might correspond with seed dispersal strategies of the two species, with PTC's epizoochory making increased palatability at seed set beneficial.

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“…Prescribed burning within IAPdominated ecosystems will break down mature tissue and litter, which in turn will increase light and nutrient availability and stimulate germination from the seed bank and vegetative growth. Because of this flush of resources, plant species that colonise after fire will be more palatable and nutrient rich, and these patches will then attract grazing stock and reduce selective pressure (Cummings et al 2007). In some cases, prescribed burning may reduce dominant IAPs and promote other desirable species without livestock grazing being necessary, although evidence has shown that prescribed burning is more effective when incorporated into an integrated vegetation management program (DiTomaso et al 2006).…”

Section: Control Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Patch burning was found to reduce invasion in tallgrass prairies by maintaining the invasive species in a young and palatable stage of growth (Cummings et al 2007). The size of the patch that is burnt matters, however, with small burnt patches more likely than large ones to result in increased grazing pressure on all species present not just the most palatable.…”

Section: Control Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using strategically applied grazing to manage invasive alien plants in novel grasslands

2013

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Introduction: Novel ecosystems that contain new combinations of invasive alien plants (IAPs) present a challenge for managers. Yet, control strategies that focus on the removal of the invasive species and/or restoring historical disturbance regimes often do not provide the best outcome for long-term control of IAPs and the promotion of more desirable plant species. Methods: This study seeks to identify the primary drivers of grassland invasion to then inform management practices toward the restoration of native ecosystems. By revisiting both published and unpublished data from experiments and case studies within mainly an Australian context for native grassland management, we show how alternative states models can help to design control strategies to manage undesirable IAPs by manipulating grazing pressure. Results: Ungulate grazing is generally considered antithetical to invasive species management because in many countries where livestock production is a relatively new disturbance to grasslands (such as in Australia and New Zealand as well as Canada and the USA), selective grazing pressure may have facilitated opportunities for IAPs to establish. We find that grazing stock can be used to manipulate species composition in favour of the desirable components in pastures, but whether grazing is rested or strategically applied depends on the management goal, sizes of populations of the IAP and more desirable species, and climatic and edaphic conditions. Conclusions: Based on our findings, we integrated these relationships to develop a testable framework for managing IAPs with strategic grazing that considers both the current state of the plant community and the desired future state-i.e. the application of the principles behind reclamation, rehabilitation, restoration or all three-over time.

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Is Altering Grazing Selectivity of Invasive Forage Species With Patch Burning More Effective Than Herbicide Treatments?

Abstract: Is altering grazing selectivity of invasive forage species with patch burning more effective than herbicide treatments?. Rangeland Ecology & Management, 60(3), 253-260.

Cited by 74 publications

References 25 publications

The role of herbivores in Great Plains conservation: comparative ecology of bison and cattle

The role of herbivores in Great Plains conservation: comparative ecology of bison and cattle

Legume protein precipitable phenolic and nutrient concentration responses to defoliation and ontogeny

Using strategically applied grazing to manage invasive alien plants in novel grasslands

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