Angell and McClaran examined the relationship between a variety of grazing regimes and grass species densities in an Arizona desert grassland, over 28 years. Grass density was not related to the intensity of livestock grazing. Only one native species, bush muhly (Muhlenbergia porteri), a grass with known sensitivity to summer defoliation, was less dense in pastures without periodic summer rest. Further, the introduced pasture grass Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana) increased similarly under all treatments to dominate the pastures by the end of the study period. In general, native species declined prior to the arrival and increase of the non-native lovegrass.
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.