Post-Prairie Dog Rangeland Recovery

Post-Prairie Dog Rangeland Recovery

Summary

Pastures were grazed according to project protocol in 2010. One pasture was removed due to reoccupation by prairie dogs. Nine pastures remain, including 5 grazed during the growing season and 4 grazed during the non-growing season. Year 3 data, representing two years post-prairie dog occupation, were collected on each site. For comparison purposes, 5 pastures with active prairie dog towns, 3 pastures in which prairie dogs had been controlled for 8 years, and 2 pastures in which prairie dogs had been controlled for 25 years were also sampled in July 2010.

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. Objectives for 2010: 1. Collect vegetation data on permanent plots in June and again in July. 2. Analyze vegetation data to determine whether change in vegetation has occurred two years since removal of prairie dogs. 3. Train ag advisors and ranchers in rangeland monitoring.

Accomplishments/Milestones

All pastures were grazed according to their specified treatment (summer-grazed in summer 2010 or winter-grazed in fall/winter 2009/2010) by producer cattle. One pasture on which initial data were collected had to be withdrawn from the project because prairie dogs returned to a site and reinhabited the town. Nine pastures remain in the study, including 5 grazed during the growing season and 4 grazed during the non-growing season. Year 3 vegetation data were collected on all 9 remaining pastures. Vegetation data were collected on 10 additional pastures, including 5 pastures with active prairie dog towns, 3 pastures in which prairie dogs had been controlled for 8 years, and 2 pastures in which prairie dogs had been controlled for 25 years. These were added to provide a greater breadth of comparison for vegetation change over time. Soils on the prairie dog town sites in each new pasture were sampled to determine soil type and Ecological Site.

Data are now being analyzed to determine the extent of change over 3 years. Additional data will be collected in summer, 2011 at selected sites to further evaluate vegetation change. In October, 2010, a hands-on monitoring training was held at one of the research sites. Ten ranchers, 8 US Forest Service personnel, and 3 people from interest groups participated in a day-long training on how to establish and conduct monitoring.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Interest in this study is high. Tens of thousands of acres of prairie dog towns have been either controlled or infected with plague since the beginning of this project in 2007. Ranchers are anxious to return former prairie dog towns to productive rangelands. Public land managers are responsible for managing rangelands with former prairie dog towns for a myriad of diverse wildlife species and uses; they are also charged with determining appropriate management strategies on public lands that formerly supported prairie dogs. Each of these groups understand that post-control management will likely exert a strong influence on the rate at which plant communities recover. Numerous requests for information on the study have been received by the project investigators, and this study has been highlighted at numerous public meetings.

Collaborators: