Impact of Wildfire and Targeted Grazing Effects on Northern Great Plains Range and Pasture Lands

Abstract

The Grand River District in South Dakota has a high proportion of underutilized crested wheatgrass within native rangelands. Prescribed fire is rarely used for management; although, there is a strong evolutionary relationship with fire and grazing. Our project entailed two studies, the first looking at targeted grazing with cattle and second the effects of an April wildfire on plant species composition, basal cover, and phytomass production. The wildfire and targeted grazing did not affect (p > 0.05) plant species composition or phytomass production four and 16 months after treatment (MAT). Targeted grazing increased (p ≤ 0.05) crested wheatgrass utilization, but did not reduce (p >0.05) basal or canopy cover. Fire was ineffective (p > 0.05) at decreasing crested wheatgrass frequency. Fire increased (p ≤ 0.05) bare ground and decreased (p ≤ 0.05) litter cover four and 16 MAT. Multiple treatments may be more effective at controlling crested wheatgrass.