Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Bison use of fire-managed remnant prairies
Author
Biondini, M. E.
Steuter, A. A.
Hamilton, R. G.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
1999-09-01
Body

This study was designed to: 1) compare the landscape distribution patterns of bison on fire-managed prairie remnants in the tallgrass (Oklahoma), and mixed prairie (Nebraska); and 2) identify the extent to which fire and range site [topoedaphic classification of the landscape] affect bison distribution patterns. This research was conducted at 2 sites: the Niobrara Valley Preserve (1990–1996), and the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve (1993–1996). At both preserves, bison selected burned areas during the growing season for 1–3 years and mostly avoided old burns and unburned areas. There was an interaction between fire and range site in selection patterns. In the absence of fire, bison mostly avoided both the Choppy Sandrange sites at the Niobrara Valley Preserve and Loamy Prairie range sites at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve. When they were burned, however, these sites were highly selected. The main difference in bison selection patterns between the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve and the Niobrara Valley Preserve was observed during the dormant season. In the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, burned sites continue to be preferred during the dormant period for an average of 2 years while in the Niobrara Valley Preserve selections were random. These differences can be explained by 2 mechanisms: the fall and winter re-growth of forage at the more southern latitude and the significant physiognomic changes that fire can cause in tallgrass prairies. Our study documents a continuing interaction between the ecological processes of the fire regime and bison distribution and abundance within 2 of the major prairie landscapes of the Great Plains, and provides critical details for understanding this relationship. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020

Language
en
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.2307/4003772
Additional Information
Biondini, M. E., Steuter, A. A., & Hamilton, R. G. (1999). Bison use of fire-managed remnant prairies. Journal of Range Management, 52(5), 454-461.
IISN
0022-409X
OAI Identifier
oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/643910
Journal Volume
52
Journal Number
5
Journal Pages
454-461
Journal Name
Journal of Range Management
Keywords
edaphic factors
tallgrass prairie
mixed prairie
bison
topography
fire ecology
fires
fire effects
forage quality
animal preferences
selective grazing
Nebraska
prescribed burning
prairies
botanical composition
geographical distribution
forage