Vole-driven restoration of a parariparian meadow complex on the Colorado Plateau (south-central Utah)

Abstract

Rapid and substantial reductions in the local density of invasive rubber rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus) have been achieved on a shrub-infested meadow complex solely by manipulating grazing so as to benefit the native meadow vole, Microtus montanus. The key adjustment has been a shift from spring-summer to late season grazing, thereby allowing sufficient growth of herbaceous vegetation to offer suitable vole habitat. We hypothesize that voles were instrumental in defending many historic western meadowlands against woody shrub encroachment, but have now been widely displaced by livestock competition. This suggests that voles could prove an important restoration tool on certain shrubdominated rangelands.

Parent Publication

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

Citation

Bramble, Dennis M.; Bramble, Jean C. 2008. Vole-driven restoration of a parariparian meadow complex on the Colorado Plateau (south-central Utah). 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. 107-114