Coppedge and Shaw examined the effects of bison (Bison bison) horning and rubbing behaviors on woody vegetation, over a two-year period on a tallgrass prairie site. Horning and rubbing activity was much higher in summer than in other seasons. Bison injury to trees was minimal, although one willow was uprooted and killed, and several other trees were seriously damaged. Bison showed a strong preference for small willows, and also used artificial, man-made objects present on the landscape such as fence posts. As burning has been a part of the management practices of this study site during most of this century, bison effects on woody vegetation appear to complement those of fire. With estimates of historic populations ranging in the tens of millions, roaming herds of bison could have caused extensive damage and mortality to woody vegetation. It is suggested that bison, in conjunction with other factors such as fire and drought, significantly limited the historic distribution of woody vegetation in the Great Plains.
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.