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Resiliency of Native Prairies to Invasion by Kentucky Bluegrass, Smooth Brome, and Woody Vegetation
Author
Grant, T.A.
Shaffer, T.L.
Flanders, B.
Publisher
Elsevier Inc.
Publication Year
2020-03
Body

Since Euro-American settlement of the region, biological diversity of the northern Great Plains has been adversely affected, mainly by agricultural conversion. The role of invasive plants in degradation of remaining prairies has gained attention in recent years but remains poorly understood. Floristic composition of US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) prairies is significantly altered, mainly by invasion of smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), and woody vegetation. We measured floristic composition of about 90 000 ha of Service-owned mixed-grass and tallgrass prairie in North Dakota, South Dakota, and northeastern Montana. Our primary objective was to identify factors associated with greater native grass-forb plant assemblages, while conversely identifying features more aligned with Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and low shrub invasion. Service-owned prairies had a higher frequency of native grass-forb farther from habitat edges, such as cropland boundaries and roads, and on harsher ecological sites composed of poorer soils, steeper slopes, or with southern and western exposures. Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and low shrubs differed in their respective responses to explanatory variables we considered and also reportedly differ in response to management actions such as fire and grazing. Therefore, prairie managers can expect significant challenges during restoration management in cases where two or more of these invaders occur. By understanding patterns of invasion related to edaphic, edge, and landscape features, prairie restorationists can focus on areas where the probability of restoration success is greater and better understand how these features might influence restoration success or failure. © 2019

Language
en
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1016/j.rama.2019.10.013
Additional Information
Todd A. Grant, Terry L. Shaffer, and Bridgette Flanders "Resiliency of Native Prairies to Invasion by Kentucky Bluegrass, Smooth Brome, and Woody Vegetation," Rangeland Ecology and Management 73(2), 321-328, (11 March 2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2019.10.013
ISSN
1550-7424
OAI Identifier
oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/679519
Journal Volume
73
Journal Number
2
Journal Pages
321-328
Collection
Rangeland Ecology & Management (REM)
Journal Name
Rangeland Ecology and Management
Keywords
grassland
invasive species
Kentucky bluegrass
northern Great Plains
prairie
smooth brome
biome
environmental management
grass
grassland
invasive species
prairie
restoration ecology
Vegetation Type
United States
Bromus inermis
Poa pratensis