Van Auken and Bush determined the effects of inter-plant and resource competition on the growth of Prosopis glandulosa, when this shrub was grown in experimental plots with clipped or unclipped Bouteloua curtipendula grass plants. Clipping reduced the biomass of B. curtipendula and increased the biomass of P. glandulosa, suggesting that grazing may enhance the growth and encroachment of shrub species, such as Prosopis glandulosa, in grass-dominated plant communities. The addition of fertilizer to the soil enhanced the growth and competitive ability of grass plants, thus reducing the growth of P. glandulosa. These results indicate that P. glandulosa will grow quickly in grazed plant communities, especially when soil nutrients are limiting, however, the authors suggest that an established stand of B. curtipendula may be more resistant to invasion by P. glandulosa than the even-aged, young stand used in this study.
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.