Coppedge et al. measure the response of plant functional groups in a tallgrass prairie to environmental variables, presented alone or in combination with other variables. Species composition and productivity of tallgrass pastures was related to fire season, soil characteristics, climate and grazing. Bison (Bison bison) grazing reduced phytomass, increased forb species (most likely due to selective grazing of grasses by bison). When bison grazing was combined with other factors, such as fire and precipitation levels, more of the variation was accounted for than when the effects of grazing were analyzed alone. This indicates that tallgrass pastures are responding simultaneously to more than one variable, and management of these ecosystems requires an understanding of the effects of each of these variables, as well as their interactions.
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