Effectiveness of rehabilitation practices following wildfire in a degraded big sagebrush-downy brome community
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Published source details
Evans R.A. & Young J.A. (1978) Effectiveness of rehabilitation practices following wildfire in a degraded big sagebrush-downy brome community. Journal of Range Management, 31, 185-188.
Published source details Evans R.A. & Young J.A. (1978) Effectiveness of rehabilitation practices following wildfire in a degraded big sagebrush-downy brome community. Journal of Range Management, 31, 185-188.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Sow grass seeds Action Link |
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Apply herbicide before seeding/planting Action Link |
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Sow grass seeds
A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1972–1976 in a sagebrush grassland affected by wildfire in Nevada, USA (Evans & Young 1978) found that sowing grass seeds did not alter the density of native grass or forbs but led to a decrease in the number of shrubs. After four years, the density of crested wheatgrass Agropyron desertorum and native forbs did not differ significantly between plots sown with grass seeds (wheatgrass: 0.35–0.70 plants/m2; forbs: 0.46–0.48 plants/m2) and unsown plots (wheatgrass: 0.35–1.04 plants/m2; forbs: 0.85–0.88 plants/m2). Total shrub density was lower in plots sown with grass seeds (74–84 shrubs/1,000 m2) than in unsown plots (116–119 shrubs/1,000 m2). In October 1972, eight 12 x 12 m plots were established. Four of the plots were sown with seeds of crested wheatgrass and intermediate wheatgrass Agropyron intermedium, while four plots were left unsown. The number of grass, forb and shrub plants was counted within each plot in 1973, 1974 and 1976.
(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)
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Apply herbicide before seeding/planting
A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1972–1976 in a sagebrush grassland affected by wildfire in Nevada, USA (Evans & Young 1978) found that spraying with herbicide followed by sowing grass seeds had mixed effects on native grass, forb and shrub density compared to sowing without spraying. After four years, crested wheatgrass Agropyron desertorum density did not differ significantly between plots sprayed (0.35–0.40 plants/m2) and not sprayed (0.35–0.70 plants/m2) with herbicide before sowing. In one of two comparisons, native forb density was lower in sprayed plots (0.48 plants/m2) than unsprayed plots (0.31 plants/m2), and in one comparison there was no significant difference (sprayed: 0.34 plants/m2, unsprayed: 0.46 plants/m2). Total shrub density was higher in sprayed plots (112–148 shrubs/1,000m2) than unsprayed plots (74–84 shrubs/1,000m2). In October 1972, eight 12 x 12 m plots were sown with seeds of crested wheatgrass and intermediate wheatgrass Agropyron intermedium. Four of the plots were sprayed with herbicide (2,4-D), while the other four plots were left unsprayed. The number of grass, forb and shrub plants was counted in each plot in 1973, 1974 and 1976.
(Summarised by: Philip Martin)
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