Wooded draws in rangelands of the northern Great Plains

Abstract

Wooded draws and natural prairie woodlands occupy about 1.1 percent of the northern Great Plains. While the extent of wooded draws is extremely limited, their importance and value is much greater. These unique communities are important for wildlife and livestock habitats, soil stabilization, watershed maintenance, firewood, esthetics, and species diversity (Fig. 1). An estimate of their value has been placed at $10 million annually, primarily production of fuelwood, and wildlife habitat and hunting. However, the dominant use is cattle grazing which requires management to control overuse.

Citation

Bjugstad, Ardell J.; Girard, Michele M. 1985. Wooded draws in rangelands of the northern Great Plains. In: Henderson, F. Robert, ed. Guidelines for increasing wildlife on farms and ranches. Manhattan, KS: Cooperative Extension Service, Kansas State University: 27B-36B