U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory: Mandan, ND
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                                    Software
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    Careers


        


                    Employment
                        Work With Us
                                    ARS Vacancies at USDAJOBS
                    Local News
                        INTEGRATOR
                                    Bottom Line Ag SummitSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Plains Area Mandan, North Dakota Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications
- IACUC Executive Minutes

Title:   Author  item
                                            Hendrickson, Johnitem
                                            OLSON, BRET - MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
  Submitted to: Book Chapter
                                    Publication Type: Book / Chapter
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2006
                                    Publication  Date: 12/20/2006
                                    Citation: Hendrickson, J.R., Olson, B. 2006. Understanding Plant Response to Grazing. IN: K. Launchbaugh and J.W. Walker (eds.). Targeted Grazing: A natural approach to vegetation management and landscape enhancement. pp. 32-39. ASI. Centennial, CO.  2006Interpretive Summary: Prescription grazing can be a valuable tool for controlling undesirable species; however, for it to be used successfully, an understanding of plant response to grazing is needed. This chapter reviewed current knowledge regarding plant response to grazing and focused on topics such as plant tolerance and susceptibility, selecting the right season and the effects of repeated grazing and grazing on seed production.  Some general principles were identified to help grazing managers reduce undesirable vegetation and promote the growth of desirable plants.  The key to successful prescription grazing is for managers to understand plant responses to grazing and then to manipulate these responses to accomplish long-term vegetation management and landscape goals.
                                Technical Abstract: Rangelands are dynamic ecosystems containing a wide diversity of plants.  The effects of prescribed grazing on individual plants can be difficult to predict because they occur in complex ecosystems that are subject to seasonal and yearly fluctuations in weather and natural disturbances. This chapter reviews plant responses to grazing, including grazing resistance mechanisms, selecting the right grazing season for maximum effect and the effects of repeated grazing on targeted plants.  Prescription grazing managers must consider how the forage needs of their livestock can provide vegetation management solutions.  Vegetation can often be effectively managed by simply grazing the right species at the right time and intensity.  The key is knowing the right species, time, and amount of grazing for each vegetation situation.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov