Controlling cheatgrass in winter range to restore habitat and endemic fire

Abstract

Habitat managers can better prepare a program for prescribed burns, wildfire management, and maximum forage biomass by understanding the response of key shrubs to the tools utilized to reduce cheatgrass (Bromus spp.) competition. Application of Plateau® herbicide, prior to annual brome germination, at rates up to 8 oz/acre with or without surfactant gave acceptable annual brome reduction without adverse injury to true mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus), antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata.), and sagebrush (Artemisia spp.). By removing cheatgrass prior to or after a burn, shrub winter range species can more efficiently and vigorously re-occupy the site or survive the burn.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings-Shrublands under fire: disturbance and recovery in a changing world; 2006 June 6-8; Cedar City, UT

Citation

Vollmer, Jennifer L.; Vollmer, Joseph G. 2008. Controlling cheatgrass in winter range to restore habitat and endemic fire. In: Kitchen, Stanley G.; Pendleton, Rosemary L.; Monaco, Thomas A.; Vernon, Jason, comps. 2008. Proceedings-Shrublands under fire: disturbance and recovery in a changing world; 2006 June 6-8; Cedar City, UT. Proc. RMRS-P-52. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 57-60