Big bluestem photosynthetic rate and gas exchange were compared after no grazing, simulated grazing, and cattle grazing in this study. Clipping and grazing increased the stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and humidity sensitivity of big bluestem plants. Grazed plants tended to have higher photosynthetic rates than clipped plants, possibly because grazing by cattle created open patches and increased the light available to big bluestem plants. The results of this study suggest that clipping does not accurately reflect the effects of grazing on big bluestem plants in Oklahoma tallgrass prairie. However, Wallace suggests future research to determine the mechanisms that cause these different vegetation responses.
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