Post-Prairie Dog Rangeland Recovery

Post-Prairie Dog Rangeland Recovery

Summary

Pastures, including both summer-grazed and winter-grazed, with former prairie dog towns were selected in summer 2008 for use in this study. Pastures had active prairie dog colonies during the 2007 growing season. However, prairie dog activity had ended on all selected pastures during fall and spring 2008. Exclosures were established on each former prairie dog town and initial vegetation data were collected.

Objectives/Performance Targets

In this project we will study the responses of plant communities to the removal of prairie dogs, and evaluate the effect of three grazing management strategies (no grazing, grazing during the growing season, and grazing during the dormant season) on those responses. This project will study the vegetation responses and economic consequences associated with grazing strategies following the loss of prairie dogs through plague or control that has been implemented by other entities.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Pastures with former prairie dog towns have been selected. All selected prairie dog towns had been active in summer 2007, but, through plague or control measures the subsequent fall, winter, or spring, no longer support an active prairie dog population. Soils and ecological sites were evaluated on potential study sites in each pasture, and three (3) study sites with similar soils and ecological sites were identified on each former prairie dog town. Exclosures (for the no-grazing treatment) have been established on each of the 3 sites in each pasture. Initial vegetation sampling has been accomplished at each site for comparisons against future vegetation community parameters. All pastures were grazed according to their specified treatment (summer-grazed in summer 2008 or winter-grazed in fall/winter 2008/2009) by producer cattle.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Interest in this study is high. Thousands of acres of prairie dog towns were infected with plague in summer 2008. Ranchers are anxious to return former prairie dog towns to productive rangelands. They understand that post-control management will likely exert a strong influence on the rate at which plant communities recover, and want to better understand the consequences (both biological and economic) of grazing management strategies on the rate of recovery.

Collaborators: