Project Number: 5364-31610-003-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Oct 16, 2004
End Date: Feb 28, 2008

Objective:
Develop and validate grazing management strategies that favor the recovery of native vegetation after disturbance, enhance ecological sustainability of rangelands, and mitigate the invasion of exotic weeds, while enhancing sheep productivity. Develop and validate new methods for assessing rangeland conditions before disturbances to predict rangeland recovery after specific disturbances, such as fire or attempts to mitigate weed infestations.

Approach:
To develop science-based rangeland grazing and management strategies to improve vegetation recovery after disturbance, enhance ecological sustainability of rangelands, and mitigate the invasion of exotic weeds while sustaining and(or) increasing sheep productivity, we will develop and validate innovative methods for assessing biodiversity, describing plant community dynamics, and quantifying the effectiveness of various strategic interventions, including sheep grazing; describe the relationships among vegetation cover before a fire, fire size, and revegetation after a fire; determine when to begin sheep grazing after a fire to enhance rangeland health; develop new tools for measuring rangeland vegetation; and determine whether sheep grazing can be used to reduce the rate of encroachment of an invasive weed that reduces rangeland health. The information from this research will be used to develop and validate grazing and rangeland management strategies to guard the health and ensure the sustainability of rangelands. Formerly 5364-31610-002-00D (10/04).

Project Team

Lewis, Gregory Taylor, Joshua Seefeldt, Steven

Related National Programs

Food Animal Production (101)   Rangeland, Pasture, and Forages (205)