Smoke, goats, and oaks: Effects of goat browsing and prescribed fire on woodland structure and floristic composition in Ozark hardwoods

Abstract

In eastern woodlands, frequent, low-intensity disturbances are needed to achieve desired woodland management objectives: an abundant and diverse ground flora, rich with herbaceous and graminoids species and minimal or isolated-dense patches of woody mid-story cover. These traits are integral to the structure and function of woodland communities. Prescribed burns are commonly used to meet these objectives; however, prescribed fire use can be limited by many constraints (e.g., risk, smoke, limited seasonality, legality), especially at the wildland-urban interface. Targeted goat browsing may have the potential to be used as a supplemental or alternative tool to aid in woodland restoration efforts when prescribed fire is not viable or mechanical mastication is too expensive.

Parent Publication

• Foundational concepts in silviculture with emphasis on reforestation and early stand improvement - 2022 National Silviculture Workshop

Citation

Beebe, Gina R.; Knapp, Lauren S. Pile; Stambaugh, Michael C.; Davidson, Brian K.; Dey, Daniel C. 2022. Smoke, goats, and oaks: Effects of goat browsing and prescribed fire on woodland structure and floristic composition in Ozark hardwoods. In: Jain, Theresa B.; Schuler, Thomas M. [comp.]. Foundational concepts in silviculture with emphasis on reforestation and early stand improvement - 2022 National Silviculture Workshop. Proc. RMRS-P-80. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 4 p.