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Browse effects and the influence of forage availability and quality on livestock forage selection in aspen communities. Jones, Bobette*,1, Tate, Kenneth2, Liile, David3, Cler, Shannon2, 1 Eagle Lake Ranger District, Susanville, CA, United States2 Plant Sciences, Davis, CA, United States3 University of California Cooperative Extension, Susanville, CA, United States
ABSTRACT- Concern exists regarding the decline of aspen and the lack of successful regeneration in aspen stands throughout the west. Excessive herbivory by wild ungulates and domestic livestock has contributed to the decline of aspen communities in western states by reducing or preventing successful vegetative regeneration. Conflicts may therefore arise between livestock grazing and aspen restoration. A challenge for land managers is to balance conservation and restoration of aspen communities with livestock use. Fencing is the most effective and common management practice to restore degraded aspen stands; however fencing may not be practical on a landscape scale. Improving aspen stand vigor by increasing successful regeneration while sustaining livestock grazing depends on an understanding of, 1) how aspen regeneration responds to timing, intensity, and frequency of livestock browsing, and 2) livestock grazing behavior within meadow and aspen plant communities. Two studies were conducted to address these questions. First we quantified annual growth of aspen regeneration that received a simulated browsing treatment, and predict how timing, intensity, and frequency of browsing affected annual growth. Second, we monitored forage quality and quantity and livestock utilization in meadows and aspen stands throughout the grazing season. We present results and implications for range management on public lands where aspen conservation and restoration are a high priority.
KEY WORDS: aspen, browse effects, forage availability, range management
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