This is a summary of research conducted on goose grazing and attempts to answer whether herbivory can benefit plants. Grazing has immediate effects, such as removing older tissue and reducing self-inhibition, fertilization by animal wastes, and reducing competition from neighbors. Longer-term effects involve the reshaping of the genetic mixture in a system. The net above-ground primary productivity in goose-grazed areas was 30-106% higher than ungrazed marshes. This increase in production would not be able to take place without the nitrogen input from the goose manure, as shown by other studies. Geese select faster growing genotypes, that need more nutrients, resulting in significant impact. Although the community as a whole is benefiting from grazing, it cannot be said that individual genotypes are benefiting; but rather the genotypes that are benefiting are in an environment where their neighbors are being grazed.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.