Disturbance due to military activity on the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR) has resulted in invasive annual weed dominance by Salsola iberica, Kochia scoparia, Kochia hyssopifolia, Halogeton glomeratus, and Bromus tectorum. These invasive weeds increase the frequency of fire and provide limited support for wildlife. Vegetation restoration is required to improve wildlife habitat on these rangelands. Precipitation on the UTTR (< 200-300 mm/year) is marginal for successful revegetation from direct seeding, especially for native species on these former salt desert shrub communities. Seed predation by rodents and ants could also limit plant establishment. In this randomized block study we measured density of seeded species for both native and introduced seed mixes, and where subplots received supplemental rodent food pellets.. We also measured vegetation cover and density in relation to distance from ant mounds. Preliminary analysis indicates that although seeded native grasses were evident the first year after seeding, introduced grasses had higher density and were associated with lower weed cover.
Oral presentation and poster titles, abstracts, and authors from the Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meetings and Tradeshows, from 2013 forward.