Rangeland Ecology & Management

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MANAGING LIVESTOCK TO MIMIC NATIVE UNGULATES FOR CALIFORNIA NATIVE GRASSLAND RESTORATION
Author
Reeves, Kent A.
Lazanoff, Aaron
Morris, Joseph
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2015
Body

Tule elk, Cervus elaphus nannodes, pronghorn, Antilocapra americana, and mule/black-tailed deer, Odocoileus hemionus, historically occurred throughout the native grassland and oak savanna vegetation types of California. Tule elk and pronghorn have been extirpated throughout most of their historic range in the state, and deer populations have changed dramatically. These changes in native ungulate populations have contributed to negative changes in ecosystem processes of community dynamics, water cycling, nutrient cycling, and energy flow. The T.O. Cattle Company (TOCC) has been managing holistically on over 2,023 hectares of heterogeneous landscape in coastal central California since 1993. TOCC has changed livestock management to mimic historic disturbance regimes of native ungulates. This includes amalgamation of livestock into large herds, relative rapid movement of animals timed to coincide with plant growth rates, stockmanship, herding animals with dogs and temporary fences, and livestock behavioral changes to mimic wild ungulates in the presence of predators. The reintroduction of natural disturbance regimes is critical to restoring natural communities and ecosystem processes and ultimately native grasslands. We will discuss changes to ecosystem processes that include: increased numbers, age diversity, and vigor of native grasses and oaks; increased vegetative cover of streambanks and recruitment of riparian plants; wetland expansion and improved water quality; rapid breakdown of dung; and longer growing season of grassland. Livestock nutrition and ranch economics will be discussed along with the potential use of livestock to improve the success of native ungulate reintroduction.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM Sacramento, CA