This study, Eneboe et al. tested the theory that grazing, during or after drought, could reduce the recovery of plant communities from drought by measuring the tiller dynamics and plant growth of two dominant grassland species (western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) and blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis)) in eastern Montana following an imposed severe drought. Tiller recruitment, and tiller density of blue grama and western wheatgrass plants were not negatively affected, and were sometimes enhanced by drought and/or grazing during, and one year following the imposed drought. However, western wheatgrass above-ground production and growth was reduced by drought and the combination of drought and grazing during the study. The authors conclude that grazing during and after drought does not greatly affect the recovery of eastern Montana grassland species and that resting pastures during and after drought years is not necessary to maintain this plant community.
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