Weeds are a major problem in seeding rangeland and cropland to native grasses. However, many immature weedy forbs and grasses are palatable to cattle. Research was conducted using yearling cattle for weed control in big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii var. gerardii Vitman) seedings (1987, 1988) at Mead, Nebraska on a Sharpsburg silty clay loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Typic Argiudoll) soil....

The invasion and spread of exotic plants following land disturbance threatens semiarid ecosystems. In sagebrush steppe, soil water is scarce and is partitioned between deep-rooted perennial shrubs and shallower-rooted native forbs and grasses. Disturbances commonly remove shrubs, leaving grass-dominated communities, and may allow for the exploitation of water resources by the many species of in...

Poor nutritional quality and increased content of secondary compounds can reduce consumption of Mediterranean shrubs by herbivores. In 2 sequential trials, we examined the effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and number of shrub species offered on daily intake of Mediterranean shrubs by 12 sheep and 12 goats. The PEG (25 g) was fed to experimental animals with barley. In trial 1 (6 shrubs), goat...

Theoretical models predict that drylands can cross critical thresholds, but experimental manipulations to evaluate them are non-existent. We used a long-term (13-year) pulse-perturbation experiment featuring heavy grazing and shrub removal to determine if critical thresholds and their determinants can be demonstrated in Chihuahuan Desert grasslands. We asked if cover values or patch-size metric...

The majority of tallgrass prairie root biomass is located in the upper soil layers (0 25 cm), but species differences exist in reliance on soil water at varying depths. These differences have led to the hypothesis that resource partitioning belowground facilitates species co-existence in this mesic grassland. To determine if plant water relations can be linked to soil water partitioning as a po...

Tall fescue and other non-native perennial cool-season grasses (such as orchardgrass, timothy, bromegrasses, and bluegrass) provide poor wildlife habitat. Native warm-season grasses (nwsg), especially big and little bluestem, indiangrass, and switchgrass, have been promoted to replace non-native cool-season grasses and enhance quality early succession habitat. Initially, problems associated wit...

Forage plants introduced to Hawai`i have come from both temperate and tropical areas of the world. Although introduced species have changed the face of the landscape, they have often failed to provide long-term benefits to the livestock industry. Proper management of rangelands can result in increased livestock productivity and reduce the need for further introductions of forage plants. Almost ...

In mountain pastures worldwide, studies investigating vegetation changes due to long-term grazing and environmental are sparse, especially regarding the effects of in snowmelt patterns. The outstanding availability historical data from Kyrgyz creates unique opportunities study past forecast future changes, making them ideal model ecosystems. Using a resurvey approach, we explored response manag...

About 21% of the African population directly depends on rangeland resources. As this number is predicted to grow, it important understand response rangelands global environmental change and formulate, in turn, better hypotheses their capacity support livelihoods. Here we used three decades satellite data a dynamic vegetation model study recent climate describe changes structure accompanying gre...

We studied consequences of storm damage on buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus) shrubs and their herbivores in the Bahamian islands. Buttonwood is polymorphic, with green shrubs producing few leaf trichomes and silver shrubs covered in dense trichomes. We first characterize traits of green vs. silver shrubs relevant for herbivores, and then assay damage by two prominent insects. Next, on replicated ...