Research PapersWild Ungulate Herbivory of Willow on Two National Forest Allotments in Wyoming
Section snippets
INTRODUCTION
The importance of riparian ecosystems was captured effectively in a review by Kauffman and Krueger (1984) and has been reiterated many times (e.g., Schulz and Leininger 1990; Green and Kauffman 1995; Holland et al. 2005; Matney et al. 2005; Thorne et al. 2005). Because of their importance, the need to identify plants to indicate riparian zone condition has increased (Smith 1980; Kauffman and Krueger 1984), and willows (Salix) are often used in this manner (Martin 1978; Van Velson 1978; Platts
Study Areas
Two USFS grazing allotments in northern Wyoming were chosen as study sites for this project. Summer cattle grazing was permitted on both allotments, and wild, native ungulates had access to the study areas throughout the year.
The Greybull allotment (lat 44°02′N, long 109°19′W) on the Greybull District, Shoshone National Forest is located in the Absaroka Mountains approximately 40 km west of Meeteetse, Wyoming. This allotment has an area of 14 769 ha divided into 12 management units determined
Cattle Utilization of Willow During the Study
No cattle were present on the Greybull allotment at any time during this study. Therefore, all willow utilization reported for this allotment is a result of wildlife herbivory. Cattle used three of six sites on the Paintrock allotment during this study, and it was assumed that all willow utilization measured while cattle were in a particular study site was a result of cattle browsing even though wildlife may have also browsed willows. Cattle were not on the Paintrock allotment before the summer
DISCUSSION
Management and conservation of riparian willow communities should consider herbivory by all large ungulates using the area. This study focused on quantifying wildlife utilization of willow, which required quantification of willow herbivory by cattle at three of the six Paintrock sites. Willow utilization measured while cattle were present for 2–18 d confirms that it is important to consider livestock use of willow, as is often done. However, willow herbivory by wild ungulates in areas other
IMPLICATIONS
The degree of willow utilization by wildlife observed in this study equaled or exceeded that reported in national parks, where significant concern has been expressed about riparian willow community conditions. Zeigenfuss et al. (2002) concluded that “reducing elk numbers and/or reducing elk concentrations will result in increases in willow productivity and heights of willow” in national parks, and suggested that fencing some willow communities in parks may be necessary. It is clear that
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special thanks to Fred Lindzey, Tom Wesche, and Bill Laycock for their valuable input in the planning stages of this study. Numerous individuals from the Pitchfork and Hyatt ranches and the Forest service made this research possible and enjoyable, especially Jack and Lili Turnell, Joe and Tracy Thomas, Louis and Rebecca Abar, Ray and Ruth Mills, Paula and Bill Grigsby, Wes and Margaret Hyatt, Lon and Jana Timberman, Jeff and Jean Petty, Dustin Cushman, Joe Hicks, and Dave Morris. We also
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Research was funded in part by the Wyoming Water Resources Center, the Hyatt Ranch, the Pitchfork Ranch, the WesMar Grazing Management Trust Fund, the SRM Hyatt Trust, the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Dept of Renewable Resources, University of Wyoming.
At the time of the research, the senior author was research assistant, Dept of Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.