Over two years, bison (Bison bison) on the Konza Prairie were 3 times as likely to graze recently burned watersheds as unburned areas, especially in spring and summer. Bison also preferentially grazed big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and other warm-season grasses, as well as areas with high grass-to-forb ratios. As a result, rhizome biomass of big bluestem and biomass of forbs adjacent to grazed patches were significantly higher than in grazed areas. Vinton et al. suggest that through preferential selection of specific species and vegetation types on both watershed and patch levels, bison increase plant community heterogeneity across the landscape.
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