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ARS Home » Plains Area » Miles City, Montana » Livestock and Range Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #413342
Research Project: Development of Management Strategies for Livestock Grazing, Disturbance and Climate Variation for the Northern Plains

Location: Livestock and Range Research Laboratory

Title: The interaction of wildfire with post-fire herbivory on arid and semi-arid U.S. rangelands: A review

Author
item KLUTH, JANESSA - Montana State University
item WYFFELS, SAMUEL - Montana State University
item EBERLY, JEB - Montana State University
item Vermeire, Lance
item MARLOW, CLAYTON - Montana State University
item DELCURTO, TIM - Montana State University

Submitted to: Grasses
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/16/2024
Publication Date: 7/22/2024
Citation: Kluth, J., Wyffels, S., Eberly, J., Vermeire, L.T., Marlow, C., Delcurto, T. 2024. The interaction of wildfire with post-fire herbivory on arid and semi-arid U.S. rangelands: A review. Grasses. 3(3), 143-153. https://doi.org/10.3390/grasses3030010.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/grasses3030010

Interpretive Summary: In the United States, rangelands comprise of 30% of the total land cover and serve as a valuable resource for livestock, wildlife, water, and recreation. Rangelands vary in climate and are often subject to disturbances like drought and wildfire. Historic wildfire trends have indicated an increase in wildfire size and frequency, raising societal and ecological concerns about the management of these lands, both pre- and post-wildfire. While there has been investigation into the effects of grazing prior to a wildfire on fire severity and plant mortality, there is limited research related to grazing post-wildfire even though current management paradigms suggest deferring grazing rangeland for two years after a wildfire to avoid additional stress on native plant species. Based on the diversity of rangeland types and the history with wildfire, the two-year deferment recommendation may need to be reconsidered for some ecosystems.

Technical Abstract: In the United States, rangelands comprise of 30% of the total land cover and serve as a valuable resource for livestock, wildlife, water, and recreation. Rangelands vary in climate and are often subject to disturbances like drought and wildfire. Historic wildfire trends have indicated an increase in wildfire size and frequency, raising societal and ecological concerns about the management of these lands, both pre- and post-wildfire. While there has been investigation into the effects of grazing prior to a wildfire on fire severity and plant mortality, there is limited research related to grazing post-wildfire even though current management paradigms suggest deferring grazing rangeland for two years after a wildfire to avoid additional stress on native plant species. Based on the diversity found across rangeland ecotypes and the history with wildfire, the two-year deferment recommendation may need to be reconsidered for some ecosystems.