Merrill and Colberg measured the effects of simulated flooding, clipping, and dung addition on tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia caespitosa) in a greenhouse. Root biomass was reduced while above-ground biomass was not affected by flooding, however, flooding did affect plant morphology by reducing the total number of leaves and tillers while increasing leaf and tiller length. Clipping twice during the season tended to enhance the effects of flooding while dung addition somewhat mediated the effects of continuous flooding on plants through the addition of nitrogen to the system. The authors concluded that grazing of tufted hairgrass plants to 10-cm is acceptable in discontinuously flooded meadows, but not in continuously flooded meadows where tillers are taller and a larger proportion of plant biomass is aboveground and will be removed at this grazing height and cause damage to the plants.
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.