Grazing History, Defoliation, and Competition: Effects on Shortgrass Production and Nitrogen Accumulation
Jaramillo VJ and Detling JK. 1988. Grazing History, Defoliation, and Competition: Effects on Shortgrass Production and Nitrogen Accumulation. Ecology. 69(5):1599-1608
Plants of Bouteloua gracilis were collected from heavily grazed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies (ON-colony) and lightly grazed uncolonized sites (OFF-colony) in Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota. Results support the hypothesis that genetically based morphological and physiological differentiation has occurred in B. gracilis as a result of strong selection pressure from grazing mammals on prairie dog colonies. We suggest the ON-colony population displays a strategy that reduces grazing severity rather than a 'grazing tolerance' response to aboveground herbivory.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Jaramillo, Victor; Detling, James
- Units
- WICA
- Keywords
- Bouteloua gracilis , Ecology, grasses (Graminae), Grazing, Herbivory, Plant Studies, prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus)